This seminar is divided into two parts – Part 1 takes place in the summer before candidates start their field experience and begin working with students, and Part 2 takes place in the middle of the school year while candidates are working with students as part of their field experience. 

This seminar will help teacher candidates be more reflective of the ways that their identities shape their perspectives as they interact with and perceive their students and school systems. Candidates will reflect on the ways that schooling can be an unwelcoming space for students who have been marginalized due to their race, gender, class, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, etc. The seminar will encourage candidates to reflect on their privileges and biases and to challenge the assumptions that they may have about marginalized students. Finally, candidates will create an action plan where they are critically analyzing the ways that their classroom behaviors, instruction, and curriculum can be transformed to create a more inclusive space for students who hold different identities. 

Participants who are not ESD-U candidates are asked to identify themselves by adding “PEP” or “PD” to their Zoom participant name so seminar leaders will be able to manage breakout rooms and requirements appropriately.