1. How to Have Courageous Conversations
5th Annual School Social Work Conference:
Building Cultural Humility
June 6th 2019
Aisha D. Smith, LMSW

2. Room Expectations Speak in the “I” Respect LIT – Literacy In Motion
What’s Learned Here, Leaves Here
Give Space, and Take Space
Redirect Me*
Adapted by the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond

3. Let’s Get an idea of our Experience
Quick Question for the Space:
How many years have you been a(post graduate)
Social Worker?
How many people work in a traditional school setting?

4. Survey Time Please take the next 2-3 minutes to complete this survey.
Please do so in silence, and let me know if there are any questions, comments, or concerns.

5. Is there a particular question that stood out to you?
Were you reminded of a particular experience when working with a student or client?

6. Today’s Objectives Initial Objectives Processing Objectives
Learner/Attendee will be able recognize the impact of meeting students “where they are”.
Learner/Attendee will be able to process maladaptive responses when engaging in difficult conversations.
Learner/Attendee will be able to identify when they are feeling emotionally triggered or upset when engaging with students.
Learner/Attendee will be able to address when they are unsure of new topics, and allow the student to lead.
Learner/Attendee will be able to recall the steps in order to engage and process in practice within Cultural Humility.
Learner/Attendee will be able recognize the impact of meeting students “where they are”.
Learner/Attendee will be able to address when they are unsure of new topics, and allow the student to lead.
Learner/Attendee will be able to recall the steps in order to engage and process in practice within Cultural Humility.

7. Why Have the Objectives Shifted?
This presentation stems from some of my personal work, and the tools that I am presently engaging.
I’ve contact my social work colleagues, and this has been some of the work they are also challenged with as well.

8. Curious about partnering courage and cultural humility?
“It takes courage and humility to follow the advice of someone who sees things different from you.”
Curious about partnering courage and cultural humility?

9. Let’s Define our Time Courage: Cultural Humility
Mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.
A respectful and humble attitude towards individuals of other cultures that pushes one to challenge their own cultural biases, realizing that they can not know everything about other cultures and approach learning about cultures as a lifelong goal and process.

10. Realms of Knowing There are things that we know we know
There is what you know you don’t know (Most people tend to operate between these two realms)
There are things that we think we know, and we are wrong
There is what we don’t know, we don’t know – coming into context with the unknown (can possibly be threatening, have to continue checking in when feeling uncomfortable
There are things that we know intuitively that we don’t know
Adapted by the Peoples Institute for Survival and Beyond

11. Realm 1: There are things that we know
This is the information that is certified and cemented.
These are things that can not be changed.
Potentially shared knowledge amongst a group.

12. Realm 2: There is what you know you don’t know
Most people tend to operate between realms 1 and 2
Most of the work we engage in involves this level of work

13. Realm 3: There are things that we think we know, and we are wrong
Considering the modalities that we have either studied, specialized, or provide services in, we are aware of these practices, and how they impact our clients.
There is always space to grow, while working in these specialties.

14. Realm 4: There is what we don’t know, we don’t know – coming into context with the unknown
Also known as the Growing Edge – The space of heightened context and new understanding.

15. Realm 5: There are things that we know intuitively that we don’t know
This is an opportunity for pieces of us to continue growing, and is helped by keying into self reflection.

16. Optimal use of Cultural Humility

17. Some Helpful Tips Taking a Breath
Asking the student/client to lead the conversation
Utilizing supervision in a way that is also informative
Getting comfortable with discomfort
Approaching each and every challenge as something new
Remaining open to the process

18. Thank you so much! Any questions, comments or concerns?
Contact: