What messages are we as educators receiving? What messages are we sending students and parents? Culture shapes our beliefs and biases about people and informs our communication. Often without realization, we communicate biases through small, subtle, unconscious yet powerful messages called micromessages. This interactive session will explore strategies to employ the power of micromessages to build community with students and their families now and in the future.

Effective distance learning requires a personalized approach, using the natural learning process to achieve mastery experiences – the belief a person holds about their ability to complete a specific task. Mastery experiences are the major contributor to self-efficacy.  Relationships and effective feedback promote mastery experiences. Join us in a conversation to learn from the current environment and apply this learning to build self-efficacy for educators, parents and students going forward.

Distance learning spotlights the need for cultural competency. Understanding and respecting other cultures is paramount to serving the wide range of students in our schools. How do we achieve authentic engagement valuing student, family, and community experiences? Through this interactive session, participants will determine their next steps to cultural proficiency, converting learning from COVID-19 into equitable practices.