STLinSTL 2018

Participants will learn that we don’t need to look like our students to be successful with our students, but we must with purpose and process engage in learning who our students really are, including; their customs, traditions and respect of their language. In this session participants will learn how educators are using a Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) framework to “calibrate” their schools definition of CRT while at the same time using data to drive their decisions and discussions of what teachers “value” about culture and diversity, and learning more about the “frequency” by which those values are enacted in classrooms. Participants will learn strategies that schools are using to build real and relevant relationships with diverse students. Additionally, participants will learn about the various data tools and protocols educators are using to measure and discuss the culturally responsive teaching “gaps” that exist in their schools.

Can the assumptions we make of our students halt their learning and success? When our relationships with students are not authentic we see an increase in classroom disruption and a decrease in student learning. Teacher-student relationships should be real and relevant, not based on a series of assumptions. In this presentation participants will learn strategies they can use in their classrooms to build real and relevant relationships with their students. Participants will learn a non-punishment behavior intervention strategy that leverages our relationships with students. Participants will walk away with strategies they can use immediately in their diverse classrooms; they will also walk away with ideas for leading these types of strategy discussions at their school.

Dr. Stevenson’s workshop will be based on his recently published book, Promoting Racial Literacy in Schools: Differences that Make a Difference. This work focuses on addressing racial conflicts and racial stress in educational contexts. He provides classroom teachers, educational leaders, school psychologists, and parents with strategies for developing culturally relevant, strength-based responses and interventions that promote healthier school climates.

Recent racial conflicts, confrontations, and protests have affected how America considers its legacy of violence and equality. Lost in these socially mediated events, is what happens emotionally to youth and families, to authority figures who also have children and families, and to social activists trying to hold America accountable to its highest ideals. This workshop will teach participants how to navigate the stress of having face-to-face racial conversations and experiences in order to move beyond racial fight, flight or fright reactions. Participants will be taught to recognize and resolve their racial stress reactions in order to make better decisions regarding racial interactions with others.