Professional Learning

Through Project ADVANCE, teachers and support staff are required to engage in professional learning aligned to four Core Professional Competencies:

Data Literacy, Instruction, Content and Diverse Populations.

EQY 101

Culturally Responsive Instruction (EQY 101) is required for all teachers and support staff. Culturally Responsive Instruction is a pedagogy that recognizes the importance of including students' cultural references in all aspects of learning. Building upon the work of Gloria Ladson-Billings, EQY 101 will provide teachers with skills to address the racial disparities in education and explore specific strategies including 19 Strategies for CRT.

RPC 102

Restorative Practices & Circles (RPC 102) is required for school counselors, school social workers and PBIS support staff. In this two-day course, participants will learn practical strategies to build strong, healthy relationships with students, families, clients, employees and colleagues. Interactive experiences bring participants to a full understanding of the fundamental unifying premise of restorative practices—that people are happier, more cooperative and productive and more likely to make positive changes in their lives when those in positions of authority do things with them rather than to them or for them. Participants will also explore how to use circles to facilitate conversation, encourage full participation, build community, establish norms and address behavior and relationships.

REI 101

Racial Equity Institute (REI 101) is required for all school social workers. In REI 101, participants explore how the impact of race shapes the outcomes of all institutions in our contemporary society. Led by trainers from the Racial Equity Institute, REI 101 helps individuals and organizations develop tools to challenge patterns of power and grow equity through an analysis of racism and its cultural and historical roots, assistance in accessing their organization to determine its progress on the journey to become racially equitable, assistance in creating structures to hold the efforts towards racial equity assistance in developing an anti-racist vision and plan for change and coaching for traditional and emerging leadership in the principles and practices of racial equity.