Who: Administrators, Human Resources, and Personnel Staff who lead, coordinate, and support hiring in area schools and districts.

When: Three 2-hour sessions from 10a-12p in late January 2021.

Wednesday, 1/27
Thursday, 1/28
Wednesday, 2/3

Where: Virtual Zoom classroom

Series Description:

As our country continues to grapple with our history and the ongoing devastating effects of racism and other types of oppression, many of us are wondering what we can do to increase our own knowledge and support change. This research-based and hands-on workshop offers an opportunity to learn about implicit bias and core equity principles. Using the hiring process as a model, we will explore the ways implicit bias impacts decision-making, resulting in homogeneous teams that are less innovative, less motivated, and less productive than they otherwise might be. We’ll review the demographics of our region and workforce in local educational institutions; use activities to understand and feel how implicit bias works; explore the various stages of the hiring process, from creating job ads and recruiting plans to screening resumes, interviewing, and selection processes; and develop concrete strategies for changing implicit patterns of behavior in ourselves and our learning institutions. Woven throughout, we’ll be thinking critically about the organizational cultures of our schools and districts, shifting the ways we think about power, and the way we value and support employees, not only to increase retention, but to help our students, families, colleagues, and organizations thrive.

The sessions will be facilitated by Aristea Saulsbury and Melissa Meiris of Stepping Stone Diversity Consulting.

This learning opportunity is offered as part of the Equity Summit Series by Humboldt County Office of Education and the TK-12 Equity Partnership.