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Empowering
Multicultural Initiatives
Empowering
Multicultural Initiatives (E.M.I.), now a project
of EDCO Collaborative, specializes in anti-racist
education by establishing the values of racial
harmony in schools in order to benefit students,
teachers, administration, and the larger community.
E.M.I.
originated as a collaborative of seven school
districts in the Metro West region of Boston,
Massachusetts, concerned with academic achievement
and equitable education. Current E.M.I. districts
include: Bedford, Belmont, Concord-Carlisle, Lexington,
Lincoln, Needham, Newton, Sudbury, Wayland, and
Wellesley.
The
mission of Empowering Multicultural Initiatives
(E.M.I.) is to improve the academic achievement
of students of color while nurturing the growth
and development of all students, and to promote
systemic anti-racist practices and culturally
relevant teaching through staff training and leadership
development.
E.M.I.
facilitators work with schools and educators to
help develop and implement effective anti-racist
practices and programs. Empowering Multicultural
Initiatives (E.M.I.) seeks to establish anti-racist
school climates that offer excellence and equity
for all students.
Programs and
Workshops Offered by E.M.I.
Strategies
for Examining and Addressing the Academic Achievement
Gap
This
workshop considers the importance of understanding
the experiences of students of color in narrowing
the academic achievement gap. Current research
on the influence of race, ethnicity and racism
on academic achievement will be illustrated through
simulated activities that mirror factors impeding
classroom performance. Although the focus is on
race and ethnicity, the principles can be applied
to the "isms" as well (sexism, etc.)
Participants will also learn how to promote academic
excellence by creating an inclusive and culturally
responsive curriculum/classroom and eliminating
racial and ethnic isolation.
Talking
About Race and Racism
This
workshop is designed to provide participants with
a common language and a better understanding of
essential definitions for discussions about race,
racism and ethnocentrism. Participants will discuss
issues of Òcolor-blindnessÓ and Òtreating all
students the sameÓ, share strategies for responding
to "uncomfortable" moments and questions
when teaching about racial bigotry, and examine
the experience of students who come from ethnically
or racially diverse backgrounds in our predominantly
white schools.
Using
Literature in the Multicultural Classroom
This
workshop demonstrates how literature can be used
to help students become critical thinkers and
understand issues of prejudice, stereotyping,
discrimination, equity and justice. Facilitators
will model how educators can use a specific book
or story to stimulate thoughtful conversations
with students and provide them with the tools
to identify bias in literature. By using the theme
of a particular book, facilitators will explain
and model how to incorporate the key concepts
of multicultural, anti-racist and culturally relevant
teaching practices into a classroom lesson and
across the curriculum. A bibliography of books
and resources for all grades will be provided.
Transforming
Classroom Lessons to Create Multicultural/Anti-racist
and Culturally Relevant Classrooms
This
workshop is designed to help educators understand
the key concepts of multicultural, anti-racist
and culturally relevant teaching practices. Participants
will look at the theory and practice of Transformative
Education. Facilitators will model a specific
curriculum transformation. Participants will work
collaboratively to insure that each participant
leaves the workshop with a transformed lesson
to use in their curriculum that supports the academic
success of all students.
Bridges
to Understanding
This
workshop presents curriculum ideas designed to
help middle school and high school students explore
the meaning of many aspects of their identities
and gain an understanding of prejudice and stereotypes--where
they come from, how they are reinforced and how
they affect our relations with others. These activities
help students to develop a common language needed
for these discussions. It will also challenge
them to identify ways they can make a difference.
Graduate
Level Courses
Anti
Racist Teaching Practices - Teaching for All Students
- Part I
Thirty-six
hours of intensive graduate level work focusing
on the transformation of curriculum, pedagogy,
and the school climate toward achievement and
equity for all students.
Anti
Racist Teaching Practices - Teaching for All Students
- Part II
Thirty-six
hour course that continues the journey begun in
Part I, providing a collaborative environment
in which participants examine factors impacting
academic achievement and strategies to address
them. This course stresses the need to understand
the cultural/racial background of students and
to incorporate appropriate learning styles to
address the needs of all students.
Understanding
Racism and Its Effects on Academic Achievement
24-hour
graduate level course
This
course is designed to help administrators assess
the success of their school in effectively educating
children of color and develop strategies needed
for narrowing the academic achievement gap.
Other
Services
Professional
Development Workshops
EMI
offers custom designed workshops for public and
private schools focusing on topics such as anti-racist
leadership, creating welcoming and inclusive environments
for a diverse student population, and curriculum
transformation to help promote diversity and equity
in the culture of the school.
Community
Adult and Parent Education Courses
This
interactive course is designed to help parents
come together and explore and combat racism, ethnocentrism,
stereotypes and prejudices that exist in our society
and the impact they have on our lives as parents
and community members.
School
Climate Assessments
This
consultation provides an assessment of a school's
ability to foster a multicultural climate of equity
and respect. This includes a physical audit of
the school community.
Student
Development Retreats
One
to three day sessions designed to foster anti-racist
community building amongst a culturally diverse
group of students at the secondary and post secondary
level.
For
more information on E.M.I. and its programs please
contact Elli Stern at elli.stern@comcast.net
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