The Equity Institute

This institute is designed for educators to explore a range of innovative approaches to weaving social justice pedagogy and practices into the fabric of their school community. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King’s vision of the Beloved Community and informed by Paulo Friere’s call for critically conscious teaching practices, we hope to embolden educators to disrupt the status quo in the service of creating transformational change.

We believe that so much of the work of equity-minded education is rooted in the need for each of us to confront our own biases and explore our own identities as we seek to dismantle systems of oppression. We know that this work requires both a safe and brave space where we can learn how to hold each other in care and unlearn the harmful messages and narratives that inform how we perceive ourselves and others.

Our time together will be grounded in seven concrete Principles of Critically Conscious Education which will frame the arc of the institute. These principles are created to help inform– on both a theory and praxis level–how to build belonging, elevate equity, and inspire change in your schools.

Principles of Critically Conscious Education:

1. Approach issues of identity and equity with courage, curiosity, compassion and humility.
2. Understand the ways that systemic oppression was historically created and is currently maintained, resulting in present societal inequities.
3. Recognize the ways your social positionality informs your educational practice including your methods, materials, perspectives, reactions, and interactions.
4. Identify how current social inequities manifest within your classroom, school, community, and the lived experiences of your students and colleagues.
5. Boldly move beyond what is; to radically re-envision what could be.
6. Commit to critically conscious practices that intentionally and consistently uphold counter-narratives to systemic oppression.
7. Understand that this work is grounded in radical joy, healing, dignity and love in service of the Beloved Community.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Gain a foundational understanding of Oppression: Participants will explore, analyze and apply how the power dynamics between privileged and targeted groups manifest and function to maintain inequality
• Acquire concrete tools and strategies: Participants will reflect on their current educational practice and set goals for incorporating critically conscious principles into their school communities.
• Experience the value of being part of a healing community: Participants will have the opportunity to connect with other educators as a means to further understanding, provide inspiration, and promote healing

DATES

SESSION 1: July 25, 2023 | 8:30am - 4:00pm

SESSION 2: July 26, 2023 | 8:30am - 4:00pm

SESSION 3: July 27, 2023 | 8:30am - 4:00pm

SESSION 4: July 28, 2023 | 8:30am - 2:30pm

COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS

CATDC and Lick-Wilmerding will be working together to do all we can to ensure your health and safety during our two in-person sessions, monitoring closely nationwide, state, and local updates and recommendations. We ask that you do not attend if you are infected with Covid, have Covid symptoms, or have had close contact with someone who is infected in the last 10 days.

Starting February 2023, we will no longer check vaccination status at the first session of our workshops, but we strongly encourage all CATDC participants to be fully vaccinated.

Given the nature of our in-person programs which gather individuals together from a variety of schools and regions, CATDC may also require or strongly recommend masking indoors and/or testing on a program-by-program basis. Any updated recommendations or requirements will be communicated to participants in a timely fashion prior to a program or session. All Covid-related refund requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Thank you for your understanding and your cooperation.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Life happens. We understand that there will be times when you cannot attend a workshop that you have registered and paid for. Registration may be transferred to a different person up to 7 days before a session. However refunds will not be given, and a session missed for any reason will not be refunded.

Below we have outlined our cancellation and refund policy, which we have in place to ensure the most accurate numbers when we secure well in advance locations, catering, and facilitators. Thank you for understanding.

For our ongoing programs or one-day intensives, refunds are available (less a $50 processing fee) up to 22 days before the scheduled starting date. We are unable to provide refunds for cancellations made 21 days or less prior to the first day of a workshop. A missed session that is part of an ongoing program is non-refundable and non-transferrable.

Please contact us by email as soon as you know you cannot attend a workshop.

You will receive a full refund if CATDC chooses to cancel this event.