In this introductory workshop, adults will work to develop critical cultural consciousness within their teaching practice in an interactive workshop designed to empower educators to utilize anti-bias education. The training equips members with a common language to assist with navigating discussions around diversity and justice in the classroom. Participants will leave with an understanding of how children develop racial and ethnic prejudices early in life, how to identify stereotypes, and how to respond to pre-prejudice, along with the tools to combat explicit and implicit biases. Participants will also learn how to create a developmentally appropriate anti-bias environment. Activities are practiced throughout the workshop to promote further understanding.

This introductory workshop launches US-based educators into anti-racist practices through a historic context. In this introductory workshop, adults work to develop a liberatory consciousness, the process of developing an awareness that identifies the continuation of oppression and the recognition of privilege. Participants will explore the timeline of race and racism in education as a critical component for understanding racial inequities and structural racism. Structural racism involves the cumulative and compounding effects of an array of societal factors including the history, culture, ideology, and interactions of institutions and policies that systematically privilege the dominant culture. From there, activities are practiced to promote further understanding of equity and inclusion principles. In this level two workshop, educators move from reacting to stereotypes to proactively addressing misconceptions and designing culturally belonging in their classroom. Workshop participants will learn by experiencing a range of lessons using critical engagement, differentiated instruction, and cooperative learning groups.

Imagine a classroom where learners are actively engaged with their peers, moving with purpose, and trusting themselves to complete their work. Implementing Anti-bias Anti-racist routines and procedures is a two-day workshop for action-orientated educators ready to move from theory to practice. Educators learn how to use the environment as a tool for classroom management and academic engagement by designing a dynamic physical space that promotes independence, collaboration, and social-emotional security. The goal is for learners to feel confident and prepared to work as if the educator did not exist and to prepare culturally aware and active educators. Depending on your staff’s starting point, educators will either participate in the Introduction to Anti-bias Education or the Introduction to Anti-racism on day one. Day two, educators will create a welcoming and inclusive physical space and develop anti-biased routines and procedures promoting a positive learning environment.

An anti-bias book collection is a living, breathing collection of stories that provides a balance of fictional and informational texts. For our younger readers, the books will be a mirror for our learners, and the books will affirm their stories, experiences, and identities. The book collection will also be a window that shows the learners multiple perspectives, different experiences, and diverse identities. (Windows, mirrors and sliding glass doors is a concept created by Rudine Sims Bishop and can be used across disciplines.) In this half-day workshop, educators will leave with the skills to critically choose books, build anti-bias lessons, and analyze their current book collection.

Every individual has a personal and a social identity that guides their day-to-day decisions and experiences. This half-day workshop focuses on deepening self-awareness, unpacking learned misconceptions and stereotypes, and developing accurate language for others. Educators will increase their awareness and understanding of their own social (group) identities and examine what they have learned about differences, connection, and their own comfort level across lines of human diversity. Educators will complete and three-part social identity portrait.

When we commit to collectively talking about fairness, equality, and justice with young children, we begin to envision a world in which not only children but all people are treated with dignity; free from the burden of unfair assumptions based on a single characteristic. It becomes a world where we actively challenge racism and bias each and every day. The goals of this family and community presentation are to dismantle the color-blind assumption and prepare children to work toward justice. This presentation shares concrete ways families can support their children’s developing racial and ethnic identities. Families learn how to empower their children, affirm their numerous identities, and accept differences.