A.T. Consulting

Leading a productive discussion on race, gender, culture, sexuality, or religion is not always about having the correct answer. Rather, one of the tricks to facilitating dialogues on topics that make people cringe with discomfort is working through the actual discomfort itself. Join us for a frank look at what makes us uncomfortable. Let’s tango with the big elephant in the room, and get comfy talking about uncomfy topics. This workshop aims to 1) deepen our facilitation skills about “sensitive” topics, and 2) build capacity in participants to create spaces filled with meaningful dialogue and attentive listeneding.

Good facilitators serve as guides by paying close attention to participants, leading their group forward with openness, vision and accountability. Facilitation skills encompass a range of small details—such as how our chairs are arranged and what we look at—as well as big thematic issues of cultural climate and diversity. Let’s work on the small and big ideas associated with facilitation and build our skills together. This workshop will model and share facilitation techniques that will help you become a better facilitator and educator for social justice.

Good training or teaching means we do not exclude participants--accidentally or intentionally-- from opportunities to learn. It also means recognizing, accommodating and meeting the learning needs of all students. This workshop: 1) describes inclusive teaching in relation to social differences and diversity, 2) focuses on the barriers and challenges to inclusive teaching, 3) introduces participants to the social theory behind inclusivity, and 4) builds skills and capacity by providing strategies, practical advice, and opportunities to practice creating inclusive teaching environments