Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Learning Cohort - SD97000

This learning cohort will begin as introductory training on equity, diversity, and inclusion concepts and frameworks and build participants' capacity throughout our sessions. The sessions will include interactive discussions and exercises for participants to explore their own lenses and build awareness. We will move from a general overview of current trends and research and developing a common language about handling diversity topics, particularly race, gender, ability, and family structure as educators to skill building to creating a positive school climate where every student can thrive. The conversation will include understanding our perspectives and how these may impact our students.  Together we will ground the experiences of educators in research and foster a productive dialogue on how they best serve their students and families. 

Lunch is included for each session date.

Presenter:  Biz Lindsay-Ryan is a equity, diversity, and inclusion professor, trainer, and consultant. She is a member of the Evanston/Skokie District 65 Board of Education where her three children attend schools. She has been a member of the Part-Time Faculty at DePaul University's School for New Learning since 2004, where she has taught classes on Civic Engagement, Diversity, Gender, and Agents of Change. Her classes give students an opportunity to reflect on their personal experiences as they go beyond understanding critical theories about power and privilege and explore what it means to apply these concepts in their own lives. Students embark on a journey that includes becoming more aware of the experiences of others and developing the tools to be more culturally competent. She was selected in 2008, 2012, and 2015 as a featured facilitator to present her best practices for student engagement to her faculty colleagues during faculty development conferences and was selected for the 2014 Excellence in Teaching Award at DePaul University. As a consultant Biz has worked with numerous educational institutions and companies in building capacity for diversity and inclusion within their culture by providing facilitation, curriculum development, policy evaluation, assessment, and strategic planning with administrators, managers, employees, teachers, students, and parents. Biz has also engaged in extensive work with schools and school districts on school climate and helping schools create a positive and sustained environment where all constituents feel safe, welcomed, respected, and valued in order to reach their fullest potential. She has facilitated diversity and inclusion work in a multitude of organizations including government entities, corporations, non-profits, and educational institutions at every level from preschool through university.

If you have any questions, please contact Monique Belin at 847-223-3400 ext. 213 or mbelin@lake.k12.il.us