Instructors Wanted: Cultural Responsiveness Training Series

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), in partnership with the Pennsylvania Key, is looking for instructors to apply and train on the Cultural Responsiveness Series, which aims to ensure equitable practices and eliminate racism throughout early childhood education (ECE) facilities across Pennsylvania. Applications are due on December 30, 2020.

Learn More

The Cultural Responsiveness Series, which will be held in March 2021, is comprised of the following four sessions:

  • Session #1: Becoming Culturally AWARE: Understanding Oppression; Breaking Down the Terms - This session will engage learners in courageous conversations regarding race, culture, socio-economic status and bias. Following this session, participants will have a thorough understanding of the ISM’s in 2020 and historically how we got to this point.

  • Session #2: Discovering Culture and Equity: Analyzing the Cultural Responsiveness of Your Program - Participants will discover the importance of culture to themselves and children in their programs. They will have the opportunity to examine and analyze the cultural responsiveness in their classroom. Developing a vision for their classroom to implement anti-bias practices.

  • Session #3: Planning for Culturally Responsive Child Engagement - This course will help participants begin to plan for culturally responsive child engagement. Going beyond hanging up pictures of culturally diverse people, offering literature that represents cultural diversity, and dolls with different skin tones, this session will help teachers engage with children in authentic ways that are culturally responsive.

  • Session #4: Planning for Culturally Responsive Family Engagement - Breaking down the barriers sometimes caused by cultural differences can be a cause for anxiety for any early childhood educator. Managing the cultural differences through effective communication, practicing empathy and perspective taking can make all the difference for both families and educators. Participants in this session will discover specific ways to create a culturally responsive environment.

Dates and requirements

The presenter must:

  • commit to all four dates of training;

    • March 2, 2021 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

    • March 9, 2021 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

    • March 16, 2021 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

    • March 23, 2021 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

  • offer the full series at least one time in the following 12-month period after the training;

  • have PQAS approval and agree to enter all offering into the PD Registry; and

  • complete the application and submit it no later than Dec. 30, 2020.

A stipend (amount to be determined) will be offered to any non-Pennsylvania Key, non-OCDEL or non-EITA presenter.

Apply

Download the application to complete and learn more on the Pennsylvania Key website. Completed applications are due by 5 PM EST on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, and selected applicants will be notified after Jan. 11, 2021.

Heidi Winkler