We see ourselves as open and inclusive people, accepting of differences and treating all people with dignity, kindness, and respect. We want to create and be part of communities that are inclusive and culturally competent toward all people of all backgrounds. Yet, there are implicit and unconscious biases that get in the way of our best selves, and intentions aren't enough to guide our behaviors.

Join us as we welcome Rosetta Lee, teacher and outreach specialist, who talks about the science of cognitive biases we all have and what we can do to mitigate them within ourselves and our organizations.

Rosetta Lee says that in over a decade of conducting training she mostly encounters people with a desire to do good. They want to be inclusive, kind, and fair. The problem comes when they have to evaluate how perceptive and fair-minded they actually are. She explains that the human mind takes in millions of pieces of information at any moment, but cannot actively process all of it, so it ends up taking mental shortcuts. The brain also makes assumptions based on certain associations, which can lead to biases. Rosetta illustrates and explains twenty different cognitive biases that mess with our decision making and behavior.

Biography

Rosetta Lee serves Seattle Girls’ School as both a teacher and as an outreach specialist. As a faculty member, Rosetta teaches subjects such as science, math, technology, art, ethics, and social justice. As a professional outreach specialist, she designs and delivers training for all constituencies of the school community, as well as the local and national educational and nonprofit sectors. Since 2004, Rosetta has been a diversity speaker and trainer on a variety of topics, including cross cultural communication, identity development, implicit and unconscious bias, gender and sexuality diversity, facilitation skills, and bullying in schools. She has worked with over 300 K-12 public and independent schools throughout the country, as well as a number of colleges and universities. She has served on the faculty of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Diversity Leadership Institute, as President on the Board of Directors of SMARTgirls, a Director on the Board of the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research, Chair of the 2006 Seattle Expanding Your Horizons Conference, Co-Chair of the 2006 NAIS People of Color Conference, Think Tank Member of the 2012 NAIS Annual Conference, and as a trainer/facilitator with the National Coalition Building Institute. Rosetta is the recipient of the 2007 Outstanding Partner in Education Award from the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research and recipient of the 2005 Distinguished Teacher Award for the Washington Federation of Independent Schools.

Additional Information

Audience: Parents, caregivers, and educators of middle school and high school students
Admission: Free

Sponsored By

Mountain View Los Altos High School Foundation
Los Altos Educational Foundation
Mountain View Whisman Educational Foundation
Los Altos-Mountain View PTA Council

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Rosetta Lee - Implicit and Unconscious Bias