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To register for Professional-Development (PD) sessions, search Vector-TeachPoint using the session titles below. This webpage is updated throughout the school year as new trainings become available.
Self-Preservation
December 6, 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Zoom meeting
1.5 PD credit hours and 1.5 EILA credit hours
Facilitators: Jud Hendrix (Interfaith Paths to Peace)
Description: This session explores cross-cultural healing practices and remedies. Participants gain an understanding of the need for healing and have an increased understanding of BIPOC healing practices. Download the flier.
Finding King in Your School
December 6, 5 to 7 p.m.
Blaine Hudson Middle School (1107 South 17th Street, Louisville, KY 40210)
Two PD credit hours
Facilitators: Bryan Smith
Description: Participants will learn a broader understanding of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Teachers will use the Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning strategies to help students to evaluate evidence. Teachers will receive tools to support proficient responses from students.
Learn How to Navigate the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
December 14, 6 to 7 p.m.
Zoom meeting
Two PD credit hours and two EILA credit hours
Facilitators: Jasmine Drinkard and Kelly Smith
Description: Participants will learn what the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is and how to create FAFSA IDs. They will also learn the importance of students completing this application as it relates to their household contributions for college access. This PD will impact student learning by ensuring students have an opportunity for financial aid in their post secondary options. This session will support teachers by helping teachers/staff connect with students as they navigate the transition from high school to college. This session will be specific to any employee working with students regarding college access. Staff trained with this information will be able to better help students navigate the college access and FAFSA process with ease and remove the barrier of lack of information. There are many changes to FAFSA this year and many staff members need to be up to date with information to make sure students on free/reduced lunch maximize their opportunity for college.
Transgender Intersectionality
January 10, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Zoom meeting
One PD credit hour and one EILA credit hour
Facilitators: Dawn Wilson
Description: This session applies the framework of intersectionality to understand the development of multiple identities for transgender individuals. This session supports inclusivity of all students, LGBTQI+ students inclusive of transgender. This session provides an understanding on transgender issues and in supporting our transgender students. Download the flier.
Support and Strengths: Doing the Work for Students Belonging to Multiple Marginalized Groups
January 10 and 11 (Attend only one date.)
5 to 7 p.m.
Two PD credit hours and two EILA credit hours
Facilitators: Dr. Vanessa McPhail and Dr. Daniel Lopez
Description: Participants will learn:
- Differences in experiences among students of color (Black, Asian, Latinx, Indigenous, Middle Eastern)
- Unique experiences of students belonging to multiple marginalized identities
- How trauma may result in certain behaviors for bullied students
- How different biases overlap with one another (i.e. racism, sexism, homophobia, Islamophobia)
- How to address biased comments in the classroom without being confrontational and making it an opportunity for education and understanding
- Research on the experiences of LGBTQIA+ students of color in the educational/public school system
This session will impact student learning because by being aware of biases and students' experiences who belong to multiple marginalized identities this can improve the culture climate for students (sense of belonging) a positive school climate/culture is related to higher student engagement and higher academic achieving.
Book Study: Teaching with Trauma In Mind: Being Trauma Informed in Diverse Schools
January 17 (Iroquois High), February 7 (virtual), and March 13 (virtual) (Participants are expected to attend all meeting dates.)
5 to 7 p.m.
Six PD credit hours
Facilitator: Bryan L. Smith
Description: Participants will read Teaching with Trauma in Mind: Teaching Black and Poor Students More Effectively by Being Trauma-Informed by Zakia S. Gibson and Joseph R. Robinson. Teachers will observe tools and strategies to support trauma-informed teaching. Free copies of the book will be given during the in-person meeting at Iroquois High School on January 17.
Equity Monitoring Progress Tools 101
February 6—EMPT Domain 1; February 8—EMPT Domain 3; February 22—Domains 2 and 4; March 7—Domains 5 and 6
9:30–11:30 a.m. and repeated at 1–3 p.m. each day (Attend the morning or afternoon sessions.)
VanHoose Education Center—Stewart Auditorium
Two EILA credit hours per time slot attended
Facilitators: Aven Cook, Rachel Klein, and Lamanda Moore
Description: Through these sessions, participants will engage in analysis and discussion of current school-level practices that align with the JCPS Racial Equity Policy and how to lead for racially equitable outcomes. Through a deeper understanding of both the Racial Equity Policy Expectations and the School Performance Outcomes contained within the Equity Monitoring Progress Tool, school leaders can seek to positively impact students' academic outcomes and sense of belonging. Participants are encouraged, if possible, to register for all Domain sessions. Schedule details can be found here.
Paying for College Tips and Tricks
January 25, 6 to 7 p.m.
Zoom meeting
Two PD credit hours and two EILA credit hours
Facilitators: Jasmine Drinkard and Kelly Smith
Description: Participants will learn all the ways possible for students and families to pay for college. This will impact student learning by allowing them access to information that will impact their post secondary options. This session will support teachers at their site by helping teachers/staff connect with students as they navigate the transition from high school to college. This session will be specific to any employee working with students regarding college access. Staff trained with this information will be able to better help students navigate the college access process with ease and remove the barrier of lack of information. Teachers, School Counselors, and other support staff are often responsible for helping students obtain scholarships and aid in providing assistance with the scholarship application process and even provide recommendations on behalf of the student.
Combating the Issues of Our Youth in the Educational System
February 7 and 8 (Attend only one date.)
Zoom meeting
Two PD credit hours and two EILA credit hours
Facilitators: Dr. Vanessa McPhail and Tre'von Watts
Description: Participants will be able to implement strategies that address the issues faced by youth in the educational system by focusing on three key components: Honoring students' voices, creating a comprehensive classroom, and implementing a culturally relevant learning environment. This will impact student learning because by understanding issues of our youth this can improve the culture climate for students (sense of belonging). A positive school climate/culture is related to higher student engagement and higher academic achieving.
Becoming Ali
February 8, 5 to 7 p.m.
Olmsted Academy North
Two PD credit hours
Facilitator: Bryan L. Smith
Description: Teachers will learn about the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali and how he grew up. By learning about his life, students will learn how to set goals and become resilient.
Best Practices Serving LGBTQ+
February 19, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Zoom meeting
One PD credit hour and one EILA credit hour
Facilitators: Anthony Munger
Description: Participants in this session will explore microaggressions and forms of oppression with regards to LGBTQ+ identity. Learn best practices for making all students feel welcome in your classroom, including how to facilitate conversations and evaluate the ways in which your words or actions could marginalize LGBTQ students. Download the flier.
Religion and Sexuality (LGBTQ+)
February 19, 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Zoom meeting
1.5 PD credit hours and 1.5 EILA credit hours
Facilitators: Dr. Brandon Harwood (UofL)
Description: Participants in this session will explore the relationship between issues related to the area of sexuality and religion/religious belief. This session aims to help participants understand the relationship between religion and LGBTQ+ people across time and place, within and between religions, and how various religions view different forms of identity. Download the flier.
Digging Deeper
February 21, 4:45 to 5:45 p.m.
Zoom meeting
One PD credit hour
Facilitator: Stephen Beck
Description: Participants will leave this session with resources and strategies to support LGBTQ+ students and families. This PD impacts students' sense of belonging and inclusion.
Advancing Equity Through the Creation of Identity Affirming Spaces
February 21 and 22 (Attend only one date.)
5 to 7 p.m.
Zoom meeting
Two PD credit hours and two EILA credit hours
Facilitators: Dr. Vanessa McPhail and Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera
Description: Participants will learn the connection between mirror work (ideological), and systems work, and will identify conditions that yield to equitable outcomes. This will impact student learning because by examining work with an equity lens this can improve the culture climate for students (sense of belonging). A positive school climate/culture is related to higher student engagement and higher academic achieving.
Courageous Conversations Around Safe Zone
March 5, 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Louisville Youth Group (417 East Broadway)
1.5 PD credit hours and 1.5 EILA credit hours
Facilitators: Em Joy
Descriptions: This session provides participants an opportunity to learn about LGBTQ+ identities and gender and sexuality, and it examines prejudice, assumptions, and privilege. Download the flier.
Migrant Experience: Refugee Resettlement
March 6 (Speaker Panel) (JCPS Newcomer Academy)
4:30–6 p.m.
1.5 PD credit hours and 1.5 EILA credit hours
Facilitators: Adrienne Eisenmenger
Description: Migrant Experience: Refugee Resettlement consists of two sessions. Session I (November 13) will include general information on the refugee population as well as a breakdown of the various migrant populations in Louisville and represented in JCPS. Session II (March 6) is a panel of speakers sharing their experiences of resettlement. Participants may attend one session or both. These two sessions are in collaboration with partnering refugee organizations in Kentucky. Participants will be able to distinguish between refugees, SIV, asylum seekers, and other migrant populations.
Cultural Humility and the Classroom
March 6 and 7 (Attend only one date.)
5 to 7 p.m.
Zoom meeting
Two PD credit hours and two EILA credit hours
Facilitators: Dr. Vanessa McPhail and Terra Greenwell
Description: Participants will understand the role that culturally humility plays in creating an equitable and safe learning environment for students. Participants will develop classroom philosophies designed to reflect their values and reframe expectations as positive intentions. This will impact student learning because by understanding cultural humanity this can improve the culture climate for students (sense of belonging) a positive school climate/culture is related to higher student engagement and higher academic achieving.
Multicultural Starter Kit: How to Build Relationships
March 13, 5 to 7 p.m.
Zoom meeting
Two PD credit hours
Facilitator: Bryan L. Smith
Description: Participants will become aware of the metaphorical wall. This is a term counselors study that addresses the social and cultural barriers between students and teachers. By being aware of other cultural experiences and possible assumptions, teachers can navigate relationships more readily. These are some fundamental strategies school counselors can share with teachers in the classroom.
Using Professional Development Practices to Build Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Teaching and Learning
April 10 and 11 (Attend only one date.)
Zoom meeting
Two PD credit hours and two EILA credit hours
Facilitators: Dr. Vanessa McPhail and Dr. Lamarr Shield
Description: Participants will: learn core concepts and tools for increasing cultural competency; how to analyze and plan for an equity culture that increases students' sense of belonging, inclusion, and academic performance; develop strategies for advancing equity and increasing school performance; and gain awareness into their personal level of equity development and understand the Ubuntu Framework for planning with an equity lens. This will impact student learning because by understanding cultural competency this can improve the culture climate for students (sense of belonging). A positive school climate/culture is related to higher student engagement and higher academic achieving.