Events

Application deadline: FRI. 1/19/24

Many of us have heard the terms antiracist and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion), but how do we actually implement these large frameworks into our adult English classrooms? This study circle goes beyond defining antiracism and explores how the research around Translanguaging by Ofelia García and Culturally Responsive Teaching by Zaretta Hammond provide us with tools to change the way we approach teaching.

The study circle is not intended to be a basic “what is racism” professional development activity, so we have some working assumptions and hope those interested in joining can agree to start with these foundational beliefs:

Racism is systemic. White supremacy and systemic racism are leading problems in our education system. These systems are especially harmful to people of color and the English language learners we serve. Identifying and addressing implicit bias is paramount to this work. It is a personal journey, and we all enter this work together from different places. It is not enough to be “not racist” but we have to be intentionally antiracist. We are willing to work in a collaborative environment and to hold each other accountable.

Facilitated by: Wendy Vang-Roberts and Erin Cary

DATES: You are required to attend each date.

• Fri. 2/2/24, 3:00-5:00 PM
• Fri. 2/9/24, 3:00-5:00 PM
• Fri. 2/16/24, 3:00-5:00 PM
• Fri. 2/23/24, 3:00-5:00 PM
• Fri. 3/8/24, 3:00-5:00 PM

Participants earn 15 CEUs plus a $100 stipend for completing all the requirements of the study circle, including attendance at all 5 meetings. Priority for slots is given to current paid staff of MN ABE programs.

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Meet our facilitators:

Wendy Vang-Roberts (she/her) is a first-generation Hmong American from the Twin Cities who is dedicated to taking action to dismantle racism and inequities through training, storytelling and creating spaces for meaningful dialogue. As the Program Manager of Federal Strategies at Race Forward, she project manages professional development for federal agencies to advance racial equity. Wendy holds a B.S. in Business Management and a Master of Public and Nonprofit Administration from Metropolitan State University. Currently, she serves on two working boards – the Asian American Organizing Project (AAOP) Board as Board Chair and the Antiracism Community of Transformation (ACT) Board.

Erin Cary (she/her), has worked in MN ABE since 2009, as teacher, administrator, and in curriculum writing and professional development. She currently teaches beginner ELLs for Metro North ABE in Brooklyn Center, and in her role as CILIA-T Project Coordinator, she coordinates development of a digital skill-building adult ELL civics curriculum project through the University of Minnesota-Duluth. She is a co-founder of the teacher/learner self-advocacy movement #IamABE, which supports equity work and activism in MN adult education. Erin holds a Master of Arts in ESL from Hamline University.