Building Equity in Education ConnecTeach

“Research on teaching in urban schools has suggested that, as a result of some teachers’ limited skills and the belief that their students are not capable of learning to a high level, many low-income and minority students receive a steady diet of low-level material, coupled with unstimulating, rote-oriented teaching. (Darling- Hammond, 2001).

“Research has suggested that many teachers hold particularly low expectations of African American and Latino (substitute SC and ST) students, treat them more harshly than other students, and discourage their achievement.” (Carter and Goodwin, 1994)

Popular myths about teaching and teacher education Teaching is mostly telling students what you know about your subject matter. Teacher training is all about content delivery. “Good” teacher education programs are impossible to construct. Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.

Transformational Shifts Bricks to foundation Outputs to outcomes Attendance to engagement Administrator as manager to administrator as role model Teacher to educator

From Teacher to Educator Then “ I will explain to students how to write the numbers.” “ When I start, students are not able to connect to the lesson.” “ How can I help my children with different strategies, [especially] those who are struggling?” Now “ Allow students to think and share ideas.” (Rani) “I need to structure the lesson plan to grasp my student’s interest, not mine.” (Kalyani) “ I have adapted the different ways of teaching to bring interest to the children… Giving students space and time to think.” (Divya)

Reform Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I will understand.

Equity Pedagogy Teaching strategies and classroom environments that help students from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural groups attain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to function effectively within, and create and perpetuate, a just, humane, and democratic society" (Banks, Theory into Practice). Equity Pedagogy challenges the fundamental societal structures of inequity by equipping students with skills which will help them be facilitators for social change.

Quality Professional Development Makes learning meaningful Incorporates interactive teaching strategies Ensures that students are engaged and attentive, self- motivated and involved in the learning process Lessons and teaching are tailored to different learning styles Ensures that teachers acquire skills to diagnose a student’s needs Ensures that teachers develop the ability to put herself in her learner’s shoes- seeing beyond her own perspective

You are a master teacher when What you do is perfectly synchronized with who you are.

Contact Us: Bhavani Parpia Founder and President Amy Merk Program Director