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Community college students are more likely to come from underserved populations and are inclined to feelings of self-doubt in academic settings. When learning online, our students need to know they have an instructor who cares and is there to support them, and that they are part of a vibrant learning community. Effective online teachers mindfully cultivate their presence at the course level and one-on-one with students. These interactions foster a relationship based on trust, which is the foundation of a learning community.
The Impact of @ONE's Equity Training
The Impact of @ONE's Equity Training
Learning: I have been reflecting on the messages I send to students and the ways that I design learning for student success. I have completely re-designed my Welcome Packet, creating my own Teaching Philosophy and Inclusivity Statement and being transparent with students about the way I teach and what we are creating together as a learning community.
On my campus I have shared what these materials, posting them outside my office door, and encouraging colleagues to create their own Teaching Philosophy and post it. I have formed a Learning Community of Equity-Committed educators that meets for a monthly virtual happy hour on Zoom, a tool I learned about through @ONE. Also, I have launched a new online forum committed to updating our department on gender inclusivity norms and practices.
Reflection: Of all the trainings I have completed with @ONE, the Equity course was the most impactful. I had never had specific Equity training in any of my professional development in 30 years of teaching. (That's crazy, I know!) One of the most useful activities was to examine the language and tone we use on our first day hand-outs. I realized how punishing, even threatening my tone was, as a way of establishing authority and conveying my expectations. I have since altered this language to set clear guidelines while also establishing an encouraging and supportive tone. This is such an important aspect of Equity work, ensuring that marginalized students feel welcomed and encouraged from the first word.
Into the Future: Motivated by all I was learning from @ONE, I enrolled in in 2018 in an Equity and Social Justice doctorate program at SFSU in Educational Leadership, to be completed 2021.
I have become active on twitter and Instagram with a community of online and equity-committed educators. I stay up-to-date with equity-minded and social justice practices and new online teaching tools through these social media platforms.
Examples: Below are examples of how I am applying what I am learning with my students.
Examples
Examples
I believe that all learners should have access to Communicative English as a means of creatively expressing themselves in a variety of situations, making deep connections across global cultures, and having limitless access to academic and economic opportunity.
In my classes, we co-create a learning community rooted in respect and curiosity, with learning methods that are meaningful and engaging, with materials that draw on learners’ life experiences and dreams for the future.
Students are challenged to reflect on their own learning and encourage one another.
All assessments are meant to support and guide student excellence.
Building student confidence in practical ways, rooted in a growth mindset, is at the heart of all instruction.
My interactive language learning classroom is active and fun, building learners’ self-esteem while developing mastery of new levels of communicative competence.
Students have an opportunity to receive personalized support as needed to do their best work.
I design a curriculum relevant to students’ lives, inspiring them to view their experiences with a fresh perspective to dream bigger.
As an Instructor, I understand that students represent a rich diversity of backgrounds and perspectives. City College of San Francisco is committed to providing an atmosphere for learning that respects diversity. While working together to build this community I request that all student members to abide by the following parameters:
Share unique experiences, values and beliefs.
Value classmates' opinions and communicate in a respectful manner.
Be open to the views of others.
Honor the uniqueness of classmates, appreciating the opportunity that we have to learn from each other in this community.
Since we have gone into quarantine, I have applied my understanding of Equity-minded teaching practices to connect with students to support them during this stress-filled time.
I also adapted the grammar final to more of a creative reflection, because of the stress we all are facing. Here is an example of one student's reflections.
Here are some of the responses that I have received from my students during quarantine.
My commitment to my own Equity training continues. In January 2020, I attended a 6-day fully-online Leading Equity Summit. I watched 3 presentations a day from India, participating as an active member of this twitter community of educators. I posted, re-posted and commented on lessons learned in these rich presentations, in real time, staying in conversation with educators from around the world.
In April 2020 Dr. Sheldon Eakins, the host of the the Leading Equity Podcast interviewed me on his podcast.
And in April I also attended the Equity-Minded webinar led by Dr. Luke Wood and Dr. Frank Harris.
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