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Teachers of Color Mentorship News
March 2023
Summary of March 8 Workshop
Intercultural Conflict and Communication Style Workshop
We had the honor of having Corey Crowder speak at our March 8th ToC Mentorship Workshop. Corey is the Equity and Inclusion Projects Coordinator at Normandale Community College where he focuses on DEI Professional Development for faculty and staff and coordinates initiatives that help support and sustain a culturally aware and responsive campus. His session focused on Intercultural Conflict Style (ICS) Assessment to engage participants in identifying their preferred conflict/communication style, while analyzing perceptions and biases for all. Participants also had the opportunity to develop knowledge in Zaretta Hammond’s Levels of Culture, emphasizing the importance of shifting cultural perspectives within and across marginalized groups. Here is his presentation slide show with the ICS Assessment that you might want to try with with your fellow colleagues and the description of each intercultural conflict style.
April 5 Workshops
Looking Inward for Wisdom: Reflections and Practices Shared by 196 BIPOC Colleagues
Affinity Unite members, Cultural Family Advocates, Leaders of Color, and Teachers of Color Mentorship Program members are invited to attend this April 5 workshops at Falcon Ridge Middle School, 150 House, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Be ready to engage with our very own BIPOC folks - Jamie Barton, José Martínez, and Erica Solorio!
Decolonizing Your Practice
"Recognizing, challenging, and dismantling systems of white supremacy in the classroom"
Session: In this session, we will use our collective experience to identify what systems of white supremacy we uphold in our classroom, we will challenge those practices, and we will brainstorm ways to dismantle those practices in order to help students thrive in our schools.
Biography: José Martínez (he/him) has been a Spanish teacher, digital resource teacher, and soccer coach at Eagan High School since the fall of 2009. He has an M.Ed. in Second Language and Cultures curriculum design and a second M.Ed. in Integration of Educational Technologies. José is an educator committed to equity and inclusion. In the fall of 2018, he helped District 196 launch the Spanish for Heritage Learners program across the High Schools. Today, the program is thriving and is being expanded into the middle schools, giving our Latinx students an academic experience designed for their specific needs. The Spanish for Heritage Learners program has given students a sense of belonging and representation.
It is Time to Circle Up!
Session: In this session we will experience the circle. Indigenous communities practice circles as part of everyday living. Whether it is making decisions, restoring, or repairing. Multiple parties can be involved: Elders, council members, and community members. This session will be very casual. We will discuss how a circle can be conducted; how I have learned. It is a space to just “be.”
Biography: Jamie Barton (she/her) is Mayan Indio and has been an educator for 13 years who currently serves as the Leadership Administrator at Oak Ridge Elementary School of Leadership, Environmental and Health Sciences. She has taught all grades in her license area 5-12 and has a Master’s in Educational Leadership, a certificate in American Indian Studies, and a certificate in Charter School Leadership. Jamie continues to be a champion of equity and belonging for all. The word “champion” resonates and empowers Jamie because it conveys self-reflection and growth while also empowering others to center belonging and undergo their own self-reflection. She also recognizes the impact that anti-bias education would have made in her own life and wants to work to bring it to others with marginalized identities. Driven by connections and relationships, Jamie is excited to be part of a team that stands for belonging.
We Can Do Better
An Asset-Based Approach to Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students
Session: During this presentation, you will learn about Erica Solorio’s experiences as a Latina ELD Teacher/SWEL Coach in District 196 and how she shifted her mindset towards serving culturally and linguistically diverse students with an asset-based approach. You will be able to reflect upon the language used in our schools and systems and consider other choices that bring forth the gifts our students share with us. You will also learn some new strategies to apply immediately to your teaching that benefit all learners in your classroom.
Biography: Erica Solorio is an English Language Development teacher, TESOL-certified SWEL Coach and aspiring raciolinguist. She holds a B.A. in Linguistics: Teaching English as a Second Language from California State University - Fresno and an M.A. in K-12 English Language Teaching from Hamline University. As one of the few Latina educators in her district, she is a strong advocate for culturally and linguistically diverse students and has provided educators and other stakeholders with training on how to best serve this student population. She strives to challenge and remove systemic barriers in order to provide students with the opportunity to receive the equitable education they all deserve. She is equally passionate about the recruitment and retention of BIPOC educators and is the co-founder/facilitator of the BIPOC educator affinity group, Affinity Unite.
Must Do's
Increase the frequency of your check-in's
Find a way that works for you - 👥 ,📱, 💻 , &/or 📨 !
Attend the April 5 Workshop from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
See your calendar invite for more information!
Prepare for/complete the 3rd TDE/Q-Comp Cycle
Sign up for the pre-observation meeting, the observation, and post-observation meeting.
May Do's
Intercultural Conflict Style Assessment
Complete the ICS Assessment with your team at work. Then, have conversations about your style and how that manifests in your collaboration and teamwork. It could be done as a whole staff too!
Culturally Responsive Teaching & The Brain
Resources for Your Mind, Body, & Soul
Things to Do Over Spring Break
Try some popular Minneapolis activities.
Watch a 15-minute TED talk to refresh our perspective on our learners and connections.
No More Nice Mentors
Socialized niceness has prevented our students from showing their humanity and from having a sense of belonging. Read more about how to give our students what they need to thrive by having equity-minded mentors (and mentees).
Teaching for Justice: Bridging Communities for AAPI Belonging and Well-Being
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Teaching for Justice is offering a conference on Friday, April 28 (virtual: $25) and Saturday, April 29 (in-person: $150) entitled, “Bridging Communities for AAPI Belonging and Well-Being.” The 2023 Guide Questions:
How has belonging manifested in AAPI communities in the past and today? How does it impact our well-being?
How can we cultivate communities in which AAPI belong and thrive?
Learn more about the 2023 conference or last year's Teaching Asian American Studies Across the Curriculum Conference.
April is Stress Awareness Month
The National Institute of Mental Health has an infographic (English or Spanish) that explains stress versus anxiety. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have ways for you to manage your stress.
World Happiness Report
A decade ago, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 20 as International Day of Happiness. Check out the data dashboard to see how countries compare to each other in happiness and other measures through the years.
Committing to Innocence: Stories from the Innocent Classroom Community
On April 12, listen to an hour of "narratives and Q&A with featured Educators for Innocence who will help us envision a child’s full educational experience free from racial bias – and identify ideas to bring back to your space." Register for FREE!