Closing the Education Gap: Wells Fargo & PNC Foundation Support Diversity Training for NJ Educators

PRLog (Press Release) - Feb. 5, 2013 - New Brunswick, NJ—The American Conference on Diversity, in cooperation with the Peter Sammartino School of Education at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) and with the generous support of a $20,000 grant from Wells Fargo Bank, will offer “The Power of Educators: Creating Multicultural Learning Environments” through our Educators’ Institute this summer.

Now in its eighth year, the Educators’ Institute intensive four-day course combines instruction, experiential activities, facilitated dialogue, and small group work for teachers, administrators, counselors, and teachers-in-training who are interested in building more inclusive and affirming classrooms. Our featured presenter will be Fairleigh Dickinson University Associate Professor of Education Dr. Khyati Y. Joshi. A multicultural educator, author of New Roots in America’s Sacred Ground: Religion, Race, and Ethnicity in Indian America, and co-editor of other published research, Dr. Joshi has presented her research on Hindu American Communities to the White House and provided testimony before the New Jersey Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Immigration. Educators receive 28 CEUs for participating in our Educators’ Institute series, which will be offered twice. From June 25-28, the series will be held at FDU’s College at Florham. From July 9 to 12, the series will be held at FDU’s Metropolitan Campus. The Institute will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Advance registration is required at http://summereducatorsinstitute2013.kintera.org. Visit www.AmericanConferenceOnDiversity.org for more information. Non-refundable registration fees apply. Please register by 5 p.m. ET April 26.

With funding from the PNC Foundation, the American Conference on Diversity will also hold its Anti-Bias Institute one-day course April 17. Designed for early childhood educators, childcare providers, and students majoring in early childhood education who are nearing completion of their coursework, “Learning the ABC’s: Implementing Anti-Bias Curriculum in Early Childhood Classrooms” will enhance their ability to work toward change as related to issues of multicultural education. Facilitators of the Anti-Bias Institute include American Conference on Diversity’s Pam Harris, Director of Education & Evaluation, and Bari Katz, Director of Youth/Collegiate Development Services Consultant. This workshop will be held at Raritan Bay Area YMCA in Perth Amboy from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To register, visit http://AntibiasInstitute.kintera.org or call 732-745-9330. Those interested must register by 5 p.m. ET February 22.

What are participants saying about our Educators’ Institutes?

“The Educators’ Institutes I attended were informational and provided me with the tools I need to face the problems that come with urban education in a multicultural setting. The American Conference on Diversity Educators’ Institutes have paved the way for me, as a teacher, to begin to do something about the educational gap that exists in my classroom. I am fortunate to have learned many valuable lessons and I have continued to direct this information to other teachers in my department.”

--Erma Percival, Dept. Coordinator, Applied Tech, Business, Family & Consumer Science, Dickinson High School, Jersey City

“Attending the Anti-Bias Institute raised my knowledge tremendously... It has provided me with skills to work toward change in my program.”

--Shardae Giddens, Home Visitor, The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey - Early Head Start Program

In addition to these two educator-only programs, the American Conference on Diversity offers bullying prevention education. This includes a focus on cyberbullying, through our “Learning the ABC’s: Lessons for Anti-Bullying Communities” program, designed for students, educators, families, and communities. The program explores perceptions of bullying behavior, examines the unique features and impact of cyberbullying, and provides strategies for adults and youth to respond to and intervene in bias-related bullying conflicts. To learn more, please contact the American Conference on Diversity at 732-745-9330.

About the American Conference on Diversity

The programs, services, and initiatives of the American Conference on Diversity are among the most important work focused on creating a more inclusive society. It is the unfinished business of living in a highly diverse nation: educating and empowering our next generation of leaders; enhancing our workplaces; and helping to create inclusive communities. The American Conference on Diversity, which has been serving schools, organizations, workplaces, and communities in New Jersey since 1948, builds on a historic mission and creates programs and activities relevant and vital to 21st Century life. It is a journey we can all take together. The American Conference on Diversity operates eight chapters to help us to educate and empower leaders and bring our messages of inclusion and respect to communities throughout New Jersey: Atlantic County Chapter, Bayonne Chapter, Central Jersey Chapter, Essex County Chapter, Greater Bergen Chapter, Hudson County Chapter, Jersey Shore Chapter, and Mercer County Chapter. Visit www.AmericanConferenceonDiversity.org to learn more.

Contact:

Gail Zoppo
Media Relations Consultant
109 Church Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
gail@AmericanConferenceonDiversity.org
732-745-9330 x35