Culturally Responsive Teaching in Uncertain Times
Our globalized society might have us believe that we are more connected or have more in common now than ever. While that might be true, diversity absolutely matters. There is value in difference, and different lived experiences must be acknowledged, especially in the classroom.
As communities and schools in the state of Kansas become more diverse, often teachers must educate students who are culturally, linguistically, and economically different than themselves. This means going beyond honoring diversity for sake of difference, and addressing the significance of social, cultural, and linguistic factors that require specialized teaching strategies and services in K-12 schools. Creating an inclusive classroom means being a responsive teacher.
You’re invited to “Culturally Responsive Teaching in Uncertain Times,” a workshop where you will consider why diversity matters in today’s classroom and how you can teach in a diverse environment and harness the cultural knowledge your students bring.
Designed as a professional development workshop intended primarily for high school and community college educators (but open to all K-16 school professionals), this one-day event will challenge educators to learn about the larger contexts that shape student learning. This workshop is designed for teachers willing to reflect on personal practices and attitudes that influence their teaching as well as to develop strategies for culturally relevant and responsive pedagogy.
Teachers will hear from scholars at the University of Kansas and local educators from rural and urban schools that are responding to diversity in new and dynamic ways. They will be introduced to emerging research and work with other educators to consider how pedagogy and curriculum can adequately address educational inequalities and social justice.
Please join us on Saturday, September 15, 2018 from 9:00-4:00 p.m. in Alderson Auditorium, located on the 4th floor in the Kansas Memorial Union at 1301 Jayhawk Blvd, Lawrence, KS 66045. This is a free workshop offered by the University of Kansas Area Studies Centers. Lady Bird Diner and other sponsors will provided complimentary breakfast, lunch, and refreshments. Register by Monday, September 10, 2018 (end of day). Registration is closed. Additional registerees will be placed on a waitlist and contacted with additional information.
The first thirty (30) people to register will be guaranteed a $100 stipend to help alleviate the costs of tuition credits, travel and other personal expenses, made possible by grant funding provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Awards will be issued after the workshop and after the awardees' participation in the entire workshop is verified by the workshop coordinators. For your information, awardees are not asked to submit receipts, but they must provide tax identification information (IRS W-9 form) before the award can be issued.
Additional stipends (up to $50) will available to teachers who submit appropriate and adequate lesson plans inspired by the workshop. You can also earn Continuing Education units/credits offered through Baker University ($65 Registration Fee).
"Culturally Responsive Teaching in Uncertain Times," an Educator Workshop, will take place in the Alderson Auditorium in the Kansas Memorial Union. Saturday, September 15, 2018 is a college football gameday in Lawrence, KS. This means that parking is restricted to Lot 34/61, which are south of Sunnyside Rd. Parking is free for workshop attendees. For more detailed information, visit CLACS's page on transportation, parking, and accessibility at KU.
Culturally Responsive Teaching in Uncertain Times is sponsored by the University of Kansas Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Kansas African Studies Center, Center for Russian and East European Studies, and Center for East Asian Studies.