Workshops

Consider, in this workshop, ways that teaching can acknowledge and engage students’ cultures, identities, and experiences, and relate them to classroom learning.  Mindful teachers strive to be actively aware of various ways of being and make efforts to design lessons that resonate with participants’ understanding.  This workshop will encourage attendees to reflect on their limits and opportunities while seeking a respectful balance when implementing responsive approaches in diverse learning spaces. 

“I care about you. You have value. You don’t have to do anything to prove it to me, and nothing is going to change my mind” – Alex Venet.

As educators, one of our most crucial functions is to support the growth of our learners. In the post-covid classroom, facilitating and supporting growth seems like a daunting task as we navigate challenges such as knowledge gaps, poor learning strategies, and missing social skills. While Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a strategy that helps us address diversity, equity, inclusivity, belonging, and accessibility (DEIBA) from an academic or content perspective, we may enhance this further by reconsidering our approach to our learners. 

Unconditional Positive Regard is a stance that allows space for the learner to be authentic and imperfect and still be secure in their value; this safety, security, and value removes psychological barriers and supports the culture of growth essential for learners to achieve full potential. 

Join the conversation as we critically explore the efficacy of Unconditional Positive Regard in current post-secondary education and how we can adopt this positive regard stance in a variety of college learning settings. 

Resources:  PODCAST - Episode 214: Nothing’s Going to Change My Mind: How Unconditional Positive Regard Transforms Classrooms. The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast with Jennifer Gonzalez. https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/unc