SENSITIVITY TRAINING FOR EDUCATORS

MODULE 1 – Developing a culturally responsive persona

Introduction and Minds on
Trust in teacher-student interactions
A general theory of unconscious (implicit) bias
The authority of the unconscious mind
Lived experience: The lens of interpretation
Avoiding simple stories
Scenarios: Responses to challenging students

MODULE 2 – Extinguishing the impact of cultural bias

Avoiding the rush to judge
Boundaries with students
Red-flag language and thinking: Are my students a deficit or an asset?
From deficit to asset: Creating trust across cultural identities
Solving conflict: Engaging in open-and-honest communication
Implementation intentions: Your personal next steps

MODULE 1
Key message – A thoughtful and respectful practice begins with an understanding of unconscious bias.

Learning goals

1. I can describe how unconscious bias and simple stories prevents me from valuing and using the lived experience of students and peers;
2. I can use the lens (concept) of simple stories to mitigate the influence of bias that hinders culturally responsive interactions;
3. I can describe the skills, behavior, and attitude that supports respectful communication when talking about or working with students from different backgrounds and life experiences.

MODULE 2
Key message – You can mitigate the impact of unconscious bias (value and respect others) by associating positive images and words with individuals outside your comfort zone or cultural identity.

Learning goals

1. I can describe how asset thinking supports service that is socially and emotionally intelligent;
2. I can use the lens (concept) of simple stories, the ladder of inference, asset thinking, and the open-and-honest communication model to manage conflict with students who identify as Black or Indigenous.