Online Workshops to Aid Instructors in Antiracist Work

Three upcoming online workshops from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) and the Teaching and Learning Transformation Center (TLTC) will explore how instructors can incorporate antiracist teaching practices and tackle potentially uncomfortable discussions in a classroom setting.

The workshops are part of ODI’s #UMDSolidarity offerings, a range of events and programming focused on anti-racism. Registration is requested.

“Building Anti-Racist Classrooms and Pedagogy” (10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday) will be led by Beth Douthirt Cohen, executive director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Frederick Community College, in consecutive sessions. It will help instructors consider aspects of their antiracist practice including their own self-work; classroom climate, cultures and behavior; class discussions, course content and assumptions about what classrooms can be and/or should be, and will focus on navigating classroom dynamics.

“Difficult Dialogues and Hot Topics in the Classroom” (10-11:30 a.m. Friday), led by ODI’s Carlton Green, director of diversity training and education, and TLTC’s Alice Donlan, director of research, will help instructors navigate how to facilitate classroom conversations that might touch on sensitive subjects, including current events regarding race.

“Using Intergroup Dialogue Facilitation Skills in the Classroom” (noon-1:30 p.m. Aug. 19), will focus on how instructors can help students best discuss challenging topics using intergroup dialogue, an educational method that gives students the knowledge and skills to address conflict, listen to differing perspectives, work together and take action. It will be led by Jazmin Pichardo, assistant director of diversity training and education in ODI, and Bridget Turner Kelly, associate professor of student affairs.