You Belong Here Toolkit
Without intentional strategies to foster a sense of belonging, diverse-by-design schools run the risk of reproducing inequities we see in society [...]
Communities of Practice (CoP)
Connect as leaders. Grow expertise.
Bring justice to education.
How members describe Communities of Practice:
Video by KimberLee Webber | TalkOakland.org
We know that DCSC members are developing the tools, best practices, and habits to truly bring equity and inclusion to diverse student populations. We believe that a peer-to-peer learning model like Communities of Practice (CoP) is exactly what a coalition like ours needs to leverage the skills and expertise within for the benefit of all.
Resource Highlight
Each group of education practitioners collaboratively develops a tool for the field of diverse-by-design education. We’ve highlighted one toolkit from a 2019-2020 group focused on sense of belonging.
The purpose is for participants to:
- Connect as leaders across DCSC’s intentionally integrated member schools, so that practitioners can share experiences and build relationships.
- Grow expertise in how they iterate upon best practices of diversity, equity, and inclusion to support all students.
- Bring justice to education through developing tools for the field that disrupt the persisting status quo of racial and social inequality in schools.
Open to Members
Join this FREE professional development opportunity before sign-ups close on October 2.
CoP Groups for 2020-2021
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Got Justice? Creating and Sustaining Equitable School Culture
Dwight Thomas (Prospect Schools)
Overly punitive discipline leads to harsher punishments for students of color and puts them in closer proximity to the school-to-prison pipeline. Disrupt this traditional pipeline with evidence-based practices, such as collaborative problem-solving and restorative justice in order to sustain equitable systems.
Get more details -
Trauma-Informed Practices to Support ALL Students
Aqua Stovall and A’Seret Dokubo (Special Education Leader Fellowship)
Stress and anxiety will continue ravaging a generation of students surviving COVID-19, so how do we name this in Tier 1? Review behavior systems, adopt practices, and strategically strengthen how adults interact with kids in school.
Get more details
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Diverse Recruitment and Retention in a Virtual Hiring World
Kevin Bryant and Ron Rapatalo (Edgility Consulting)
We often hear, “our school struggles with finding talented POC, and when we do, they don’t stay.” COVID-19’s disruptions have compounded these challenges, but our kids are counting on us to get it right. Join us in revamping your talent development practices to be more fair and inclusive.
Get more details -
Roots ConnectED Anti-Bias and Social Justice Institute Follow-up Coaching
Sahba Rohani (Roots ConnectED)
We’re continuing the momentum of last year’s member participants by launching a second year for the group to more deeply engage with their equity initiatives in the context of our post-COVID “new normal.” Currently closed for new participant sign-ups
Key Points of CoP Timeline
Pick a date to learn more
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Deadline for Facilitator Proposal Submission
May 2020
Interested in facilitating a Community of Practice during the 2020-2021 school year? Check out our RFP!
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Participant Sign-ups for 2020-2021
June 18th, 2020
Sign-ups open for all DCSC members interested in participating in a Communities of Practice group for the 2020-2021 school year. -
Facilitator Orientation for 2020-2021 Year
July 9th, 2020
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Participant Sign-up Deadline
October 2nd, 2020
Last chance! Sign up to participate in a 2020-2021 Community of Practice
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CoP Year 2 Kick-off
October 14th, 2020
Virtual kick-off among all CoP groups
3:00 – 4:30 p.m., EST
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November Virtual Group Session
November 16th, 2020
Timing varies depending on CoP group.
Facilitator guides participants in discussing on-site experiences and sharing resources related to the CoP’s content area.
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December Virtual Group Session
December 16th, 2020
Timing varies depending on CoP group.
Facilitator guides participants in discussing on-site experiences and sharing resources related to the CoP’s content area.
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In-Person Deep-Dive Group Session
January 27th, 2021
The 4-hour and 2-hour sessions will be conducted over 2 days in Kansas City, MO immediately preceding DCSC’s Annual Convening.
Facilitator guides participants in discussing on-site experiences and sharing resources related to the CoP’s content area.
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February Virtual Group Session
February 16th, 2021
Timing varies depending on CoP group.
Facilitator guides participants in discussing on-site experiences and sharing resources related to the CoP’s content area.
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March Virtual Group Session
March 16th, 2021
Timing varies depending on CoP group.
Facilitator guides participants in discussing on-site experiences and sharing resources related to the CoP’s content area.
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April Virtual Group Session
April 16th, 2021
Timing varies depending on CoP group.
Facilitator guides participants in discussing on-site experiences and sharing resources related to the CoP’s content area.
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May Virtual Group Session
May 17th, 2021
Timing varies depending on CoP group.
Facilitator guides participants in discussing on-site experiences and sharing resources related to the CoP’s content area.
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Close-out Virtual Group Session
June 14th, 2021
Timing varies depending on CoP group.
Facilitator and participants unveil the “end product” to practitioners beyond those of the regular group. Each group will finalize development of this product, based on audience feedback, before sharing broadly with DCSC community.
Program Overview
| Sign ups open to members from June – Sept 2020. We encourage members to join with a group of colleagues to maximize impact at the school site. |
| Free for DCSC members, with additional 20% refund on Annual Convening registration |
Commit to joining all meetings of the CoP:
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| Contribute to a resource for the field that disrupts the persisting status quo of racial and social inequality in schools. This final product may take the form of a webinar, blog, toolkit, podcast, or other modality. |
