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Diversity and Social Justice Committee

Diversity and Social Justice Committee

The mission of the TELS Diversity and Social Justice Committee is to promote diversity and social justice within the department in ways that are actionable, not just performative. Our major initiatives include developing strategies for educating department faculty, staff and students about social justice and diversity in their teaching, research and outreach and diversifying teacher education.

In 2020-2021 the committee developed a set of standards to guide our teaching, research and service. Going forward, the committee will offer a series of workshops for the department to give feedback on the standards and to give practical strategies for incorporating the standards into our teaching. Contact the Department Head if you would like to join the committee. All are welcome.

2022-23 Committee-Sponsored and Endorsed Events

Dr. Jennifer Turner

Fri Nov 4, 12:30-1:30pm; Click to sign up for this workshop with Dr. Jennifer Turner of the University of Maryland on on dream building and vision boards with students of color, her focus of qualitative research. Refreshments provided. 

Past Events

Teaching the Identity and Self-Knowledge Standards

October 22 | 10:00 am 

Introduction to the Standards

January 28 | 10:00 am 

Integrating Diversity and Social Justice into Your Practice

Our distinguished panel of teachers, administrators and researchers shared best practices and practical strategies for making your teaching more equitable, anti-racist and socially just. After the panel, breakout sessions helped participants plan for individualized next steps. 

How to Promote Culturally and Historically Responsive Teaching during the Current Political Climate

A discussion with Gholdy Muhammad, Ph.D., an associate professor of language and literacy at Georgia State University, director of the Urban Literacy Collaborative and Clinic and author of Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy. 

Introduction to the TELS Diversity and Social Justice Standards

A workshop focused on presenting the standards and gathering feedback.
August 27 

Meeting the Overarching Standards

An overview of the overarching standards, which are goals for everyone in the department.
September 24 

Teaching the Understanding of Inequality Standards

Strategies and activities for teaching students how to understand inequality based on group membership.
February 25 

Teaching the Attitudes toward Diversity Standards

Strategies and activities for teaching comfort with diversity and about historical factors related to diversity.
March 25 

Teaching the Identity and Self-Knowledge Standards/Teaching the Critical Action
Standards

Strategies and activities for helping students reflect on their identities and work toward addressing inequality in society.
April 15