Boys of Color Workgroup Launches Early Learning Equity Workshop

Photo courtesy of Alameda County Fathers Corps

​​​The Promising Practices Portfolio is now a workshop for educators!

In November, OSSS launched “Improving Early Learning Outcomes for Boys of Color: 10 Promising Practices,” a three-hour training based on the innovative equity strategies and approaches that were featured in the report developed by the Boys of Color workgroup.  

“This was, so far, the best training I have attended on this topic,” wrote one OUSD participant in a post-workshop evaluation survey. “I appreciated that this [workshop] actually talked about bias in education and education of young children.”

Workshop participants learned concrete practices for how to put equity into practice in early learning settings, including background on brain science, stages of racial identity development, regulating stress responses, and practical ways to address educator bias. Led by facilitators Dr. Julie Nicholson (Mills College professor), Dr. Tasha Henneman (education researcher), and Dr. Thomas Williams (former OUSD early childhood administrator), participants had opportunities to discuss and practice strategies in breakout groups. By the end of the workshop, they shared takeaways they were looking forward to trying out, including:

• Listening emergently - with a willingness to change beliefs or actions based on what you hear
• Remembering to give positive messages to the family about every child
• Looking inward and reflecting on one’s own everyday biases.

More than 150 early learning educators from OUSD and community-based programs participated in the workshops held on Nov. 7 and Nov. 13. An overwhelming number of participants—93 percent—said they would recommend it to an early childhood education colleague. 

The Promising Practices Portfolio highlights innovative work in Oakland that is nurturing educational joy and success in all children, particularly young boys of color, in two major areas: family engagement and trauma-informed practices. Learn more about the OSSS Boys of Color workgroup and the portfolio here. 

​​Look for the next efforts of the Boys of Color Workgroup to come in 2021!

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