A conversation about Equity and Inclusion with Jen Evens – Cultural Fluency Leadership Council Co-Chair
Jen Evens is a biology faculty who also serves as the Cultural Fluency Leadership Council Co-Chair. She recently led a summer faculty book group on the book Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond. For this week’s CTL blog, we asked Jen some questions about how to be more equitable practitioners in our classrooms.
How would you describe cultural fluency, equity, and inclusion to someone who is not familiar with the terms?
Providing instruction, resources and tools to all levels and life experiences so all students can achieve success.
Why should equity and inclusion be a focus for instructors?
Since the focus of all instructors should be on their students, we should be making the ability to learn and master the required course materials available and attainable for all.
What opportunities are at SCTCC for instructors to grow their equity and inclusion knowledge?
SCTCC offers many professional development opportunities to help our instructors grow in their professional pedagogies. Some examples of these offerings include Equity by Design through Minnstate, the Equity by Design Faculty Academy that was offered on campus Spring 2021 and will be offered Spring 2022, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy course offered by Minnstate, Book Clubs, Cultural Fluency Leadership Council, Center for Teaching and Learning programming and resources, and Cyclone Circles, just to name a few. Stay up on the latest opportunities through the Friday News.
What are some practical tips an instructor could use in his or her classroom to promote equity and inclusion?
Learn and understand the experiences of your students so you can teach to the way they learn. Do not try to force students to learn the way you teach. Pivot and adjust to their needs.