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May 4, 2023 @ 9:00 am 3:00 pm

Kids, Books & Anti-Racism Series: Afrika Afeni Mills

Using Picture Books to Center Humanity and Connect Across Differences

Date(s):
May 4, 2023
Time:
9:00-11:30am & 12:45-3:00pm (EST)
Number of Days:
1 day
Location:
In-Person at Lesley University or Virtual (includes 30-day access to the session recording)
Grade Levels:
K-8
Audience:
  • Classroom Teachers, Interventionists & Specialists
  • Literacy Coaches & Teacher Leaders
  • District & School Leaders
Credit:
Non-credit
Cost:
$199 for 1-day workshop (includes professional text)
  • $499 for Complete Series (includes all professional texts)
  • Discounts available for groups, Lesley students and alumni! Email CRRLC@lesley.edu to inquire.

Workshop Overview
Meet Afrika Afeni Mills
Learn About the Complete Series
Participation & Registration Policies

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Using Picture Books to Center Humanity and  Connect Across Differences with Afrika Afeni Mills

The African concept of Ubuntu, which means I am because we are, provides a powerful lens through which we can explore our diverse identities and experiences as well as our connectedness with our students. It is by demystifying our differences through various texts in our literacy instruction that we develop the understanding and empathy needed to truly be united. Learn how to equip students to look at themselves in mirrors and discover what lies beyond the familiar through windows so they can effectively make meaning of the world around them.  

Participants will: 

  • Explore the books that have shaped our identities and perspectives as a foundation for supporting students
  • Develop a resource list of children’s books to implement in our instructional practices
  • Recognize and value the histories, perspectives, and experiences of people who are unlike us in order to support students to do the same
  • Learn to use picture books and our own literary experiences to create and sustain learning that equips students to: understand the complexity of the human experience from multiple perspectives; see one another and themselves more fully; and work toward a more just society

 

Registered participants will receive a copy of the professional text, Open Windows, Open Minds: Developing Antiracist, Pro-Human Students.

This full-day workshop will be recorded. Registered individuals will have 30 days to access this recording starting on the day that it is distributed. Instructions to access the recording will be sent about 1-2 weeks following the session. Due to the workshop’s interactive structure, we highly recommend that registrants participate live on the day of the event.

Attendees will earn 6 professional development hours for their participation.

Afrika Afeni Mills

Afrika Afeni Mills is an Education Consultant and the author of Open Windows, Open Minds: Developing Antiracist, Pro-Human Students. She works with teachers, coaches, and administrators to develop and sustain student-centered learning experiences that are diverse, inclusive, and equitable. Afrika has been featured on podcasts, blogs, delivered keynote addresses, and facilitated sessions at conferences across the United States. Afrika believes that all educators can be motivated, engaged, dynamic practitioners and leaders when provided with the support needed to create student-centered, anti-bias, anti-racist, culturally responsive learning environments that inspire wonder and creativity and nurture diversity, belonging, equity, and inclusion. 

 

This workshop is part of a larger series designed to deepen your understanding of how to cultivate anti-bias and anti-racist practices in classrooms and schools. You may register for this individual workshop or all of the series.

Kids, Books & Anti-Racism Series

Wednesday, February 8, 2023 with Allison Briceño
Creating Conscious Classrooms: Using Diverse Books for Anti-Racist Teaching

Friday, March 10, 2023 with Lorena Escoto Germán
Teaching for Literacy & Social Justice Through Culturally Sustaining Instructional Practices

Thursday, May 4, 2023 with Afrika Afeni Mills
Using Picture Books to Center Humanity and Connect Across Differences

Click here information about the complete Kids, Books & Anti-Racism series.

COVID-19 Protocols for In-Person Attendees

In-person training is available to a limited number of participants and you may choose that option. Should any of the conditions change and it is determined the training can be offered online only, you will be notified as soon as possible. We recommend that you email us at CRRLC@lesley.edu before reserving travel and lodging.

At this point in time, participants who have opted to come to Lesley University for the in-person format of professional learning must be prepared to follow the University’s COVID-19 protocols before and during the event. 

  • You must be “up to date on vaccinations” as defined by the CDC. 
  • You must submit a COVID Self-Assessment Visitor Form no more than 48 hours before each event.
  • Lesley University no longer requires that participants submit a negative PCR result before attending an on-campus event. If possible, complete a rapid test before coming to campus. If you are feeling sick or symptomatic, please stay home and email CRRLC@lesley.edu to switch your registration to virtual. 
  • Masks are highly recommended indoors, but not required. 
  • Lesley University’s COVID-19 protocols are designed to protect the health and safety of our community.

Cancellation Deadline & Refund Policies

For a registrant who purchased the Complete Bundle and would like to cancel their registration, the last day to get a full refund is January 24, 2023. A cancellation must be submitted in writing. Cancellation requests received between January 25 – 31, 2023 will be subject to a $50 processing fee. No refunds will be issued starting February 1, 2023.

For a registrant who purchased individual sessions and would like to cancel their registration, the last day to get a full refund for Allison Briceño’s session is January 24, 2023, Lorena Escoto Germán’s session is February 23, 2023, and Afrika Afeni Mills’ session is April 19, 2023. A cancellation must be submitted in writing. Cancellation requests received within the 7 days following each of these dates will be subject to a $35 processing fee per session. No refunds will be issued during the week before each session. 

Email CRRLC@lesley.edu to cancel or request a substitution. Regardless of conditions, if the event is held but you cannot attend, you will be billed for the full amount.

Registration Deadline

We highly recommend registering at least five business days before the event to allow the minimum amount of time to ship the professional texts.

Independent Learning Policy & Recordings

Each full-day workshop will be recorded. Registered individuals will have 30 days to access a recording starting on the day that it is distributed. Instructions to access the recording will be sent about 1-2 weeks following the session. Due to the workshop’s interactive structure, we highly recommend that registrants participate live on the day of the event.

The registrant agrees to access the live sessions and/or recordings for the purpose of independent learning. Access to the live sessions and/or recordings is restricted to the registrant and may not be accessed in a group setting.

Requirements for Participation

In order to receive your certificate of attendance, you will be asked to complete an electronic one-page insight form. We will provide more information about this process after each session. Please allow our team 2-3 weeks to process your certificate.

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