About Empowering Multicultural Initiatives

Empowering Multicultural Initiatives (E.M.I.), 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 in 1993 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, Concord, Concord-Carlisle High School, Needham, Newton, Wayland, Wellesley and Weston.

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.

This Blog is designed to provide resources and updates on EMI activities.For Lesson Plan and Tenacity ideas check out EMI’s website http://www.edcollab.org/EMI/EmpoweringMulticultural.html


For information about EMI or the EMI 2013 - 2014 course schedules and activities contact ellistern123@gmail.com



EMI Activities


E.M.I. Spring 2014 Course Schedule

25-hour (2 credits) course


Anti-Racist School Practices to Support the Success of All Students (EMI 1)
This graduate level course is designed to introduce educators to the complex issues raised by race and racism and their impact on student learning and achievement. This course will also help increase the skills of cultural proficiency.
Course # sp14ARSPA
Course dates:
Fridays: January 31st and March 28th from 8:30-3:30
Thursdays: February 13th, February 27th, March 13th, April 10th from 3:30-6:30
Snow date: Wednesday April 16th

Course # sp14ARSP
Course dates:
Saturdays: January 25th, February 8th, March 8th and March 29th
Snow date: April 5th

E.M.I. 12.5-hour (1 credit) courses

Building Bridges of Understanding: Supporting the Development of Culturally Proficient Students
This course is for educators who want to encourage students to be culturally proficient and to successfully navigate their way in a world that is becoming more diverse. Discussion topics will include: cultural differences, stereotypes, prejudice, and forms of systemic oppression. Activities and resources from this course can be used in Advisory programs, Open Circle discussions, etc. and/or integrated into a variety of subject areas.
Course # Sp14BB
Tuesdays: March 11th, March 25th, April 1st and April 15th from 3:30 to 6:40

Strategies for Examining and Addressing the Academic Achievement Gap
This course will examine the current research on the influence of race, ethnicity and racism on academic achievement. Strategies that have been identified as successful will be studied and adapted to fit the needs of students in our schools in an effort to ensure that all students are provided with excellence and equity in their educational experience.
Course # Sp14SEAA
Tuesdays: January 28th, February 4th, February 25th and March 4th from 3:30 to 6:40

Understanding Self-Efficacy: Helping Students Do Their Best Work
This course provides participants with an opportunity to explore concepts of self efficacy and attribution theory. Participants will examine how students’ perceptions of themselves as learners influence their academic engagement and performance. Participants will learn how to use a strengths approach, create a growth mindset environment, and give praise and constructive feedback that promote student success in the school setting.
Course # Sp14USE
Saturdays: March 1st and March 15th from 8:30 -3:30

Optional graduate credits are available from Framingham State University for $75 per credit.

E.M.I. 5-hour Seminar
ENHANCING SUCCESS FOR STUDENTS OF COLOR IN MATH AND SCIENCE CLASSES

This 5-hour seminar is designed for grade 3-12 teachers responsible for teaching math and/or science who want to understand what “cultural proficiency” looks like in their classes. (This is included in the new MA teacher evaluation standards.)
Seminar: Math/Science
Seminar date: January 11th 9:00 -2:30

To register or if you need more information on courses, seminars or registration contact: ellistern123@gmail.com

Registration deadline is December 11th
A course may be canceled due to low enrollment.

We will continue to accept registrations past the deadline as long as there is space available.


Thursday, August 30, 2012

New Resources From Teaching Tolerance

There's no better time than the start of a new school year to take a close look at your school climate. That's why Teaching Tolerance is proud to present two new guides—Speak Up at School and Responding to Hate and Bias—that offer a comprehensive approach to school-culture issues and provide direction for educators trying to build an inclusive, nurturing school climate.

"We receive a steady flow of calls and emails from educators looking for guidance on these issues," says Maureen Costello, the director of Teaching Tolerance, "and there was clearly a need to help people recognize danger signs at school and address them before a crisis occurs."

Written primarily for school administrators, counselors and teachers, Responding to Hate and Bias shows educators how to respond to a bias incident in school and guides them through crisis management and post-crisis efforts at improvement. It provides research-based strategies for reducing bullying, creating a welcoming school climate and promoting school-wide social emotional learning.

Speak Up at School give educators the tools to help students and themselves turn from bystanders to upstanders and explains how to respond to biased remarks from peers, parents or even administrators. A fun pocket guide is included to give students in-the-moment guidance for speaking up against biased language.

Responding to Hate and Bias and Speak Up at School are both available FREE to educators. Download for immediate use at tolerance.org/publications.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Exploring Culture


Exploring Culture
In an effort to be better prepared for the increasing diversity in our society it is important to learn about the histories and experiences of people from a diversity of backgrounds

Here are a few resources about the history and experiences from people of Haitian descent from the EMI Exploring Culture course.

Haitian History
This site offers an entire history course on Haiti
http://www.webster.edu/%7Ecorbetre/haiti/history/history.htm

Timeline

Famous People of Haitian Decent

Haitian Culture
A gallery with Haitian art including pictures and biographies of painters
http://www.galleryofwestindianart.com/haitianthumbnails.htm

This site from the American Museum of Natural History gives information about Haitian history, culture, religion, rituals, spirits, and tools of worship.
http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/vodou/about.html

Writers of the Caribbean web site from East Carolina University Graduate Multicultural Literacy program
http://core.ecu.edu/engl/deenas/caribbean/carbwtrs.htm

YouTube Videos
Scenes of Haiti before and after the earthquake
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqfff-CIyU4

Haiti after the Earthquake
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgghW_-DZJw