Course Description

Participants will gain an awareness and deeper understanding of ways to engage, build relationships and communicate with the diverse backgrounds of their students. There will also be a focus on the legalities, polices, procedure and practices surrounding discrimination and how to respond to such violations. This course is designed for paraeducators to help ensure that students experience a positive, consistent, safe, unbiased and equitable classroom which will enhance educational opportunities and student achievement.

Course Objectives

Part A: Introduction to Cultural Identity and Diversity

Objectives:

• Describe ways to identify and respond to racism, discrimination and stereotypes in the classroom

• List strategies for supporting cultural responsiveness and anti-biased instruction

• Describe ways to foster and support a safe, positive, and culturally inclusive environment

• Explain ways students’ family, language, ethnicity, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, economic background, and other cultural assets impact behavior and learning

• Describe strategies to support cultural inclusion and responsiveness when assisting in instruction

• Demonstrate respectful behavior when working with diverse students

Part B: Equity

Objectives:

• Identify the basic regulations and polices that apply to the civil rights of students

• Describe ways to respond to racism, discrimination, and stereotypes based on family, language, ethnicity, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, economic background, or other elements of culture

• Define discrimination and recognize unlawful practices