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For this webinar series, participants will automatically be enrolled in all 5 sessions.

REGISTRATION CLOSED

Speaker

Lisa MacDonald, M.Ed., Founder, Elleminc Consulting

Description

This five-part series allows participants to engage in a deeper dive into conversations centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Specifically, while each session explores a particular topic, all sessions provide practical tips, transparency, honest practices, and actual case studies that provide participants with various perspectives as well as an opportunity to strengthen one’s mindset and equity lens. The ultimate goal is that all participants can walk away from this series feeling more confident and prepared for the challenges that undoubtedly persist in our schools, agencies, and communities. 

To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must attend all 5 sessions and successfully pass a quiz following Session 5. Following the live webinar, registrants will be emailed a link to view the recorded webinar. The recording will be made available for 7 days after each session.

In this initial session, participants will come together as a group for introductions, engage in attainable goal setting activities, and review the content for the five sessions. We will focus on making sure everyone is aligned on the working definitions we will use to discuss equity, inclusion, justice, etc., as well as discuss how we can enhance our individual confidence when having conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Participants will also spend time discussing why history matters and how understanding history and then individual introspection are the first steps in creating change when it comes to DEI work. 

Everyone has biases. Period. If you are a person, however, with an avowed commitment to treat all people equally and fairly without prejudice or judgement—well, then you still possess biases. Facilitated through a variety of interactive exercises, conversation challenges, and even a riddle or two, participants in this session will have the opportunity to not only discuss the definitions and different forms of bias, but also explore how the “hidden” bias appears in our everyday lives. Participants will also leave with an understanding of why it is critical to be aware of how bias impacts us, how to notice and name when it happens, and what you can do when either shows up.

“What if I say the wrong thing?” “I’m worried that I’m going to offend someone.” “Maybe it’s better if I don’t say anything at all.” Such questions and statements are common when engaging in discussions around race. This session is divided into two parts. Part one challenges participants to examine where they are in their personal development, listen to unalike perspectives, identify how equity and equality are different, and discuss the implications of intent versus impact. Part two focuses on engaging in bystander intervention, establishing confidence in speaking up, and practicing “What do you do if”… situations.

This session takes a deep dive exploring the social construct of gender, with interactive exercises for participants to better understand one’s own gender identity as well as gender expression, and most importantly, how this information can best support your students. Some of the questions we aim to answer will include: What are binary and gender-neutral pronouns? How can educators introduce their own gender pronouns when speaking with students? What to do if you misgender someone? What are some best practices when it comes to fostering inclusive conversations?

If only we had more time to discuss X, Y, and Z. In the final session, participants will have the opportunity to discuss additional topics or situations that arose during the previous sessions and because we did not have time then, we placed them here in “The Bucket” to discuss during this final time together. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to reflect upon the key takeaways from the series and what has changed, enhanced, or improved in terms of feeling more confident around equity in everyday work.

About the Speaker
Lisa MacDonald, M.Ed.

Lisa MacDonald is the Director of Equity Compliance at MassBay Community College where she serves as the institution’s Title IX Coordinator and Affirmative Action Officer. As a member of the College’s equity leadership team, she provides ongoing education on harassment and discrimination prevention, serves as an investigator for harassment and discrimination complaints, and is currently co-chairing the College’s Review of Policies and Procedures for Systemic Racism. Before arriving at MassBay, Lisa was primarily in Student Affairs at small private institutions where she served as the Director of Residence Life at Babson College (2006-2012) and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs/Director of Student Conduct at Curry College (2012-2018). Passionate about creating positive relationships and fostering confidence in others, Lisa has her own consulting business, Elleminc (pronounced Ell-Em-Ink) where she provides businesses and organizations with training, coaching, and best practices on how to engage in difficult conversations and have confidence in conflict. She resides in Natick, Mass., with her husband and daughter.

evaluation

Participants must attend all 5 sessions, either live or recorded, to receive PDPs and/or CEUs. If you are not eligible for PDPs and/or CEUs, you may apply for a Certificate of Attendance.

Membership Information

Most MPY webinars are available ONLY to current staff from member districts and organizations. Public school memberships include police and fire personnel. Former and retired employees and members of committees, including but not limited to, PTO/PTA, PAC, School Improvement Councils, Health Councils, Drug/Alcohol Councils, and school volunteers, are not considered MPY members.

PDPs and CEUs

MPY is an approved Professional Development Provider through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (Provider No. F20180079). Professional Development Points (PDPs) are offered for most MPY professional development webinars. PDPs are issued in 10 hour increments, per DESE requirements.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for clinical staff through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association, Inc. (MaMHCA). The NASW and the MaMHCA approve each event individually. CEUs may be given in hourly increments.

To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must pass the quiz.

Event Cancellation Policy

If you are unable to attend a MPY webinar you must cancel, through Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org, one business day before the webinar.

For MPY hybrid conferences, the date in-person registration closes will be posted on MPY’s website. Virtual conference registration will close one business day before the hybrid conference. You cannot cancel or switch your registration from in-person to virtual after in-person registration closes. Please email Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org with any questions regarding registration.

  • Enrollment in this course closed on 10/04/2023.

If you are seeking to receive CEUs and/or PDPs, please click Register Now. Once you complete the webinar series, you will be able to take quizzes for CEUs and/or PDPs. Upon completion of each quiz, you will receive a certificate.

All sessions are 9:30 am – 11:30 am.

  • Session 1: October 5, 2023, How We Begin
  • Session 2: November 2, 2023, How to Examine Your Unconscious Bias
  • Session 3: November 9, 2023, How to Speak Up During Conversations about Race
  • Session 4: November 16, 2023, How to Really Talk about Gender Identity, Expression, and Pronouns
  • Session 5: November 30, The Bucket