Transform Your School Into a Pro-Equity Community!
Join Dr. Omékongo Dibinga in this groundbreaking course designed for educators like you!
Course Overview
This course equips educators to challenge biases, improve classroom environments, and foster inclusivity.
Learn through activities, reflections, and actionable strategies.
R.E.A.Ch! Course Modules
Setting the Stage for Equitable Communities
Participants will develop a foundational understanding of the course's purpose, structure, and goals.
Key Themes
The Power of Dialogue: Bridging divides through open communication.
Historical Context of Inequity: Understanding systemic inequities as a foundation for change.
Personal Growth and Collective Action: Reflecting individually and collaborating in community.
Activities
Personal Reflection Exercise: Write about experiences of inclusion/exclusion.
Community Mapping Activity: Analyze the strengths and gaps in the communities you belong to.
Course Commitment Pledge: Draft a personal commitment to equity and inclusion.
Unpacking Your Racial Vocabulary and the Need for a Diversity Dictionary
Equip participants with the ability to recognize and use inclusive language while creating a personal diversity dictionary.
Key Themes
Historical and Systemic Racism: Examining how language reinforces inequities.
Practical Tools for Change: Using a diversity dictionary as a proactive strategy.
Activities
Language Audit: Identify terms in your professional environment that perpetuate stereotypes.
Defining Terms: Write definitions of racial vocabulary and compare with course-provided definitions.
How the Media Impacts What We Do in the Classroom
Develop strategies to identify media bias and counter its effects in teaching practices.
Key Themes
Stereotypes in Media: How harmful portrayals of race impact classroom dynamics.
Critical Thinking: Deconstructing media bias and fostering media literacy.
Activities
Media Audit: Analyze news/media clips for bias and stereotypes.
Stereotype Mapping: Identify how media narratives affect student interactions.
Combatting Disinformation
Learn to recognize and counter disinformation in education.
Key Themes
Disinformation Tactics: Understanding how false narratives sustain oppression.
Frameworks for Change: Use tools like the “10 Antiracist Commandments” to address falsehoods.
Activities
Fact vs. Fiction: Identify and debunk disinformation in provided statements.
Counter-Narrative Creation: Develop truthful responses to common disinformation.
Going Beyond Antiracist to Pro-Equity
Transition from addressing racism reactively to promoting equity proactively.
Key Themes
Equity Audits: Assess policies and practices for inclusivity.
Love and Empathy: Building communities rooted in mutual respect.
Activities
Equity Audit: Assess classroom policies for systemic inequities.
Scenario Analysis: Develop strategies for addressing equity barriers.
Increasing Representation in Your School
Assess and improve representation in staffing, curriculum, and school culture.
Key Themes
Barriers to Representation: Address systemic underrepresentation in schools.
Community Building: Ensure diverse perspectives are celebrated.
Activities
Representation Audit: Review your school’s inclusivity in hiring, curriculum, and activities.
Curriculum Review: Identify and fill gaps in diverse representation.
Becoming a More Culturally Competent Teacher
Build cultural competence to create inclusive, responsive classrooms.
Key Themes
Intersectionality: Address diverse student identities in teaching practices.
Culturally Responsive Teaching: Implement tools for creating belonging.
Activities
Cultural Identity Map: Reflect on how your own background shapes teaching.
Inclusive Lesson Planning: Adapt existing lessons to include diverse voices.
Let’s Go Upstander!
Transition from bystander to upstander, actively promoting equity and justice.
Key Themes
Courage and Empathy: Key traits of effective upstanders.
Actionable Strategies: Steps to challenge injustice and foster equity.
Activities
Upstander Role-Play: Practice responding to scenarios of inequity.
Action Brainstorming Workshop: Identify issues in your school and develop solutions.
About Dr. Omékongo Dibinga
Dr. Omékongo Dibinga is an accomplished educator, bestselling author, and sought-after speaker who has spent over 30 years empowering schools to create inclusive, equitable environments.
As the Founding Director of Upstander International, he has collaborated with organizations such as the National Association of Independent Schools, the American Association of School Librarians, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
His dedication to fostering equity and belonging is rooted in his extensive experience teaching at every level, from kindergarten to doctoral programs.
Highlights
- Over three decades of experience building pro-equity communities.
- Media appearances on CNN, FOX, MSNBC, and other leading platforms discussing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- A unique begin within methodology that emphasizes self-reflection as a foundation for transformative action.
Testimonials
