Our workshops provide teachers with specific, detailed instruction on how to infuse culturally and linguistically responsive strategies in their own classrooms on a day-to-day basis. Delivered by expert teachers with a practitioner’s focus, each of these workshops is two-hours in length and can be combined into a full day of training.

Workshop 1 — Expansion of Academic Vocabulary Based on Conceptually Coded Words

This workshop shows classroom teachers how to build academic vocabulary while validating and affirming the cultural vocabularies that the students bring. There is a focus on strategies in the areas of synonym development, context clues, the purpose of slang, and written development.

Workshop 2 — Standards-based Teaching with Culturally Responsive Literature

This workshop delves into the use of culturally responsive literature with effective language and literacy strategies for the purposes of teaching the state standards. Teachers will also build their knowledge in what is appropriate culturally responsive literature and what is not.

Workshop 3 — Systematic Teaching of Situational Appropriateness for Language and Behavior

The concept of situational appropriateness is validating and affirming because it gives credibility to home language and culture while at the same time teaching the expectations of mainstream language and behavior. This workshop will provide specific strategies for teaching students situational appropriateness in language and behavior.

Workshop 4 — Building on Cultural Behaviors for a Positive Classroom Community

In order to have a positive classroom management system, teachers have to separate out cultural behavior from disruptive behaviors. In many cases, the two are confused due to biases, misperceptions, and miscommunication. This session will work teachers through a process of reflecting upon their biases, learning about cultural behaviors according to research, and practicing strategies for building on the cultural behaviors.

Workshop 5 — Creating and Learning Environment that Invites Success for all Students

We call it re-imaging the school, creating an environment that is responsive to those students who do not see themselves in the environment of the school. This session covers basic elements of environmental changes, including hallways, classrooms, and offices.

Workshop 6 — Mainstream English Language Development

This workshop is in an introduction to Mainstream English Language development or MELD strategies (includes a MELD make-n-take). Closely aligned to English Learner Strategies, teachers will learn how to apply second language methodology with Standard English Learners

Workshop 7 — Culturally Responsive Mathematics and/or Science

What does it mean to be culturally and linguistically responsive while teaching mathematics and science? Teachers learn from practicing math and science teachers how to infuse culturally responsive pedagogy into these content areas

Workshop 8 — Culturally Responsive Character Building Program — Righteous

Character development for our youngsters is universal and it can be culturally and youth responsive. Using the principles of MAAT as the foundation and cartoon characters, called the Scribes, this workshop orientates participants to the Righteous program. The program focuses on life skills like order, balance, harmony, and truth to name a few.

Workshop 9 — Culturally Responsive Standardized Test Preparation

Standardized test prep does not have to being boring. Teachers will learn how to engage the students in test prep in an interesting, relevant way. Workshop actually includes a school assembly and bonus CD with music video, comic book, and images of students.