STEM Equity Initiative Blog
Understanding the Current State: Reflections from the STEM Equity Initiative
Spreading the Message NEIR and Far
Inclusivity Doesn’t Take a Village; It Takes a Community! How Johnson College Overcame “3P1."
In 2017, Johnson College, a private two-year technical college, made access and inclusion a part of its strategic plan. This meant that by 2018 every department had to build departmental goals to create an environment that welcomed and supported every student into its CTE programs. From the President and CEO to the marketing department, faculty and support staff, the custodial workers and food service workers, and even the students, everyone was tasked to create the environment where everyone felt valued and included.
Adding Asset Thinking in CTE and All Education
The problem with the educational deficit model approach is that it first identifies areas of concern or potential challenges that may impact academic performance. Maybe it is time to work harder on ourselves and rethink our education system starting with each child and his, her, or their many assets as well as needs and vulnerabilities. Equity is not about making all children “normal” or “perfect” in some measurable way. It is rather about seeing each student as the gift they already are and starting from there.
The Importance of Community
What does community mean in education?
To connect community in education, we must begin by thinking about the whole child, not just addressing his, her, or their deficits. We must consider the child in the community of the classroom, the school, and the neighborhood.
Question from the field: How do you affect change in others?
How do you affect the most change in people who are resistant to new ideas or change, even if it is positive?
How to get others to accept change is an age-old question. Over time, I have recognized a range in people’s acceptance of and ability to adapt to change (including my own).
Questions from the field: the Elephant in the Room
Use this blog post to ask anonymous questions about race, gender, and equity broadly, or comments and suggestions to open the discussion.