MESPA Cultural Competency Training

Join us for a cultural competency training that will meet the state cultural competency training requirements for licensure! This training is offered free to 20-21 MESPA members!

This three part, 6-hour virtual training focuses on further developing self-awareness and understanding of our own frames of reference, potential bias in these frames, and their impact on expectations for and relationships with students, students' families, and school communities. Sessions will be a balance of content, self reflection, and discussion - aligned to relicensure requirements in the area of Cultural Competence from PELSB and the state of Minnesota. Note: as trainers, we often use the phrase “Cultural Responsiveness” vs Cultural Competency as a way to emphasize learning about and responding to people and their way of life.

Learning outcomes

1. Further understand ourselves so we can better understand others
2. Be able to share part of their own identity and complete an “I am ___ but I am not ___” statement on a stereotype
3. Be able to identify at least 2 personal frames of reference and consider how different forms of implicit bias may impact their decision making
4. Be able to generate 2-3 ways to minimize bias and improve decision making
5. Be able to consider systemic changes in classroom/other employment practices to minimize the impact bias on educational stakeholders

Schedule

This training will be split into three 2-hour sessions. In order to receive your certificate of attendance for re-licensure, attendees must attend all three sessions in full.

• Tuesday, Oct 27 - 4-6pm
• Tuesday, Nov 10 - 4-6pm
• Tuesday, Nov 24 - 4-6pm

Who can attend?

This training is being offered to MESPA members as a thank you for renewing your membership for the 2020-21 school year. MASSP and MASA members may also attend this training. To renew your membership, view instructions at mespa.net. To join MESPA, visit mespa.net/join.

About the presenters:

Migizi wiin odoodeman. Bapashkominitigong gii-tazhi-nitaawigi miinawaa go gii-ondaadizi imaa. Ojibwe-Anishinaabe aawi. Duluth Public Schools - Office of Education Equity noongom dananokii. Naawakwe owiikwajitoon da-wiidookaaged anooj racial equity, integration, miinawaa ge cultural responsiveness. Awashime ozaagitoon iw zhooshkobagisagoonsibizowin, mii dash geyaabi go ini-jiikendam gaa-ako-maajiitaad 32-gikoonowin!

Naawakwe is Eagle clan. He grew up in the place where he was born, the Bald-headed Island village (Fond du Lac Indian Reservation). He is Ojibwe and currently works for the Duluth Public Schools in the Office of Education Equity. Naawakwe works to provide support and resources in the areas of racial equity, integration, and cultural responsiveness. Naawakwe’s first love is skateboarding, and it still brings him joy after 32 years!

Ron Lake has worked for Duluth Public Schools for the past 18 years as a School Social Worker and/or District Climate Coordinator. Ron is a PBIS Lead Trainer for the MN Department of Education and an Adjunct Instructor for the College of St. Scholastica. Ron drives a jeep (almost as much as his mechanic drives it), plays hockey every Saturday morning (unless we’re in a pandemic), and enjoys grocery shopping at Super 1 (the one near Lester Park Elementary).