Teachers of Color Mentorship News

November 2022

💻 Our 1st Whole Group Zoom Meeting 💻

Thank you for attending our first Zoom meeting that snowy Tuesday, November 29th evening! Amy Miller, the Coordinator of TDE/Q-Comp, attended and answered questions about the Teacher Development and Evaluation (TDE) and Individual Growth Plan (IGP) and we viewed the Q-Comp site. We learned about and discussed the Behavior Cycle as well as engaged in small group discussions in breakout rooms. Because of you, we are developing a supportive community. Thank you, again, for taking the time to Zoom in for our first virtual meeting!

Here are the slides for your reference. Feel free to contact any of the coordinators with any questions, comments, or concerns: Yen Huynh-Vue (Yen.Huynhvue@district196.org), Maribel Arellano (Maribel.Arellano@district196.org), Drew Riley (Drew.Riley@district196.org), and Claire Biolo (Claire.Biolo@district196.org).

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CONNECT with your partner(s) at least 1x in December before Winter Break. What are the glows and grows this year?

CONNECT with partnerships at the next two in-person meetings from 4:30-6:30 p.m. They will be open to educators of color by invitation only.

-1/11/23 at Rosemount Community Center, Banquet Hall "Radical Self-Care 101" with Dr. Soojin Pate"

-2/1/23 at Dakota County United Educators Office

"Self-Awareness for Intentional Interactions" with Sam Taitel from Nonviolence Peaceforce

*Sign up in KeepCertified!

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COLLABORATE with your mentee about the TDE (Teacher Development Evaluation) process
- the IGP (Individual Growth Plan): How is the process going?
- Tri 1 Observation: How did it go? What were your reflections/feedback?
- Professional Growth Goal: Where are you at with it?
- Check out the Q-Comp site for more information.

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CELEBRATE the successes of the end of Tri 1.
-Look for a December surprise coming to the Teachers of Color (ToC) Participants and Affinity Unite (AU) Members!
-Look for an Educators of Color Survey in December to provide feedback on the ToC Mentorship Program and AU Group.

With your partnership, role play the Behavior Cycle with a real situation.
Attend Affinity Unite's (AU) next social gathering on Thursday, December 15 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at Tavern Grill in Apple Valley.
Attend future AU meetings held once a month at Apply Valley High School in the Community Room from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
-Thursday, February 16
-Wednesday, March 22
-Wednesday, April 12
-Wednesday, May 24
*Contact Kong Yang-GH, Brianna Latham-VMS, and/or Erica Solorio-AVHS for more information.
View TED video: Get comfortable with being uncomfortable and discuss this 10-minute video with your partnership.

Date/Location: Wednesday, January 11, 2023 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Rosemount Community Center, Banquet Hall.

(This will be the third whole group required meeting for the Teachers of Color Mentorship Program Participants.)

Workshop Description:

This workshop dispels mainstream, capitalist understandings of self-care by centering the principles of self-care theorized by Black women. As we learn from them, not only do we realize that self-care is collective care, but it is also a powerful tool against oppression (-isms such as racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, etc.). By attending this session, you will leave equipped with tangible ideas to restore and preserve your mental and emotional health in spaces that work to diminish you, diminish us. Come reclaim your mind and body by attending this workshop!

Biography:

Dr. SooJin Pate is a professor, writer, and DEI consultant dedicated to centering the lives and experiences of historically marginalized peoples. She received her PhD in American Studies at the University of Minnesota. A proud alumni of Howard University, SooJin received her MA in English, specializing in African American and Caribbean literatures. She teaches comparative Race and Ethnic Studies and U.S. history and culture at various colleges in the Twin Cities area. She is the author of From Orphan to Adoptee: U.S. Empire and Genealogies of Korean Adoption and was named Educator of the Year and Ally of the Year by Macalester College. She is also the co-host of the Antiracist Parenting Podcast, host of Decolonize Yourself, and a proud steward of Million Artist Movement.

2022 Innocent Classroom Virtual Conference

"Join this vibrant, virtual day of strategy-sharing, connection, and inspiration with educators from across the country around the skills & tools we use to ensure every child believes they can thrive in our spaces." For $20, you can sign up for this one-day virtual event on Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. CST.

All Relative: Defining Diego

"Defining Diego is the story of one Guatemalan adoptee and his mother, a reporter who documented their journey from his earliest steps, as they try to understand how international adoption boomed and busted, and what it all means for families like theirs, with feet in two worlds."

Asia Mall

The Asia Mall in Eden Prairie had a soft opening in November. Discover some of the comfort foods or adventurous foods from various Asian cultures by checking out the stores they currently have, such as Mochi Dough & Bober Tea and Hot Pot City.

Decolonize Yourself

"Decolonize Yourself is a podcast on how to decolonize your mind, body, spirit, and relationships. If you seek to create oppression-free spaces in yourself, in your spheres of influence, and cultivate oppression-free spaces with others, then this podcast is for you."

Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Resources for People of Color

Looking for resources specific to your cultures or general movement/yoga? Check out Spanish Mindfulness, Mindfulness/Guided Meditations by and for Black/African American Women, Native/Indigenous Yoga Movement and more from this list of resources.

Young Spirit

To honor November as Native American Heritage Month, you might try listening to Young Spirit's "Angel Eagle - Cree Round Dance Songs" on Spotify or Apple Music. "Founded in the Frog Lake Cree First Nation, Alberta, Canada, (in 2001) Young Spirit (oskiyak kīsik in Plains Cree) has quickly become one of the most in-demand and respected groups on the Pow-Wow trail and the Round Dance circuit" (Sakamoto Agency).

🧰 December Tool for Your Educator Toolkit

Watch out for a surprise tool for the Teachers of Color Mentorship Program Participants, Affinity Unite Group Members, and Leaders of Color Members!
It will be either mailed or hand delivered to you sometime in December.

💬🗨 Self-Awareness for Intentional Interactions Workshop

February 1, 2023 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Dakota County United Educators Office. Location subject to change.
Open to Teachers of Color Mentorship Program Participants, Affinity Unite Group Members, Cultural Family Advocates, and Leaders of Color Members by invitation only.
This will be the fourth whole group required meeting for the Teachers of Color Mentorship Program Participants.

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Teachers of Color Mentorship Program

Contact us with any questions, concerns, or comments.

Yen Huynh-Vue (Yen.Huynhvue@district196.org)

Maribel Arellano (Maribel.Arellano@district196.org)

Drew Riley (Drew.Riley@district196.org)

Claire Biolo (Claire.Biolo@district196.org)