Culturally Responsive Teaching in Uncertain Times Agenda


8:30 a.m.

Early Bird Welcome

 

Arrive early to learn about Global and Area Studies events and resources at the University of Kansas

Enjoy light refreshments and socialize with colleagues from around the region

9:00-9:10 a.m.

Registration + Breakfast

 

Breakfast pastries, fruit and refreshments provided by McClain’s Market, P.T.’s Coffee and organizing sponsors

9:10-9:20 a.m.

Welcome + Overview

9:20-9:45 a.m.

Self-reflection Exercise: Who am I as a Teacher?

 

Facilitated by Aron Muci and Emily Riley

 

Self-reflection is a critical practice when trying to authentically teach in a diverse environment. Participate in a low-stakes drawing and writing activity designed to explore your teacher identity using self-portraits.

9:45-10:00 a.m.

Culturally Responsive Teaching in Kansas

 

Sarah Perryman, English Language Arts Education Program Specialist, Kansas Department of Education

10:00-10:50 a.m.

Culturally Responsive Teaching in Uncertain Times

 

Heidi Hallman, Professor of Secondary English Education, KU School of Education, Department of Curriculum & Teaching

 

Discuss emerging research of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy applied in diverse K-12 classrooms. This guided discussion will help you meet the demands of teaching children that are culturally, linguistically, and economically different from yourself.

10:50-11:00 a.m.

Break

11:00-12:15 p.m.

Thinking Beyond the Lesson Plan: Approaches to Social Justice Teaching

 

Omaris Zamora, Assistant Professor of Latin American Literature, KU Department of Spanish & Portuguese

William Garcia, PhD Student, KU Department of American Studies

 

A critical, comprehensive discussion of systematized Whiteness, “colorblind” pedagogy, and racial bias in education. This guided discussion will focus on “social justice-oriented” teaching and what you should consider beyond the effectiveness of your lesson plans.

 

Learn about local approaches to working with students from diverse backgrounds. This guided discussion will focus on tools to actively encouraging diverse student voices to be heard by demonstrating meaningful connections with relevant cultural touchstones. 

12:15-12:30 p.m.

Lunch

12:30-2:25 p.m.

Global and Local Approaches to Responsive Teaching: A Roundtable Discussion

 

Regina Peszat, World Language Program Consultant, Kansas Department of Education

 

Changming Duan, Professor of Educational Psychology, KU Department of Psychology and Research in Education

 

Nancy Hope, Associate Director, Kansas Consortium for Teaching about Asia

 

Mendy Hutson, Resource Teacher and D.E.A.R. Team Coordinator, Olathe North High School

 

Gwendolyn Jacobs, English Language Arts Teacher, Olathe North High School

 

Learn about strategies to teach studentsfrom a variety of backgrounds and with differing needs. This guided discussion will prepare you to make your classroom a fair and equitable learning environment.

2:25-2:35 p.m.

Break

2:35-3:15 p.m.

Developing a Plan of Action

 

Facilitated by Changming Duan, William García, Nancy Hope, Mendy Hutson, Gwendolyn Jacobs, Elizabeth (Liz) MacGonagle, Charlesia McKinney, Anthony Boynton, Christopher Peace, Regina Peszat

 

Scholars and teacher educators from around the state will guide small groups to discuss issues and solutions related to working in a diverse school environment. With colleagues and peers, learn how to recognize the value of the diversity in your classroom, reinforce cultural perspectives at all levels of the K-12 curriculum, value the skills and knowledge of colleagues from diverse backgrounds, and support development in your school. 

3:15-3:35 p.m.

Teacher Presentations (Small Group)

3:35-3:50 p.m.

KU Supports You: Resources for Teachers

3:50-4:00 p.m.

Closing Remarks + Survey