Diversity Training That Empowers School-based Personnel to
Develop and Support Effective School-Based Diversity Initiatives
New Jersey is now the most diverse state in the USA. Nowhere has this increase in our diversity been reflected more than in our schools. This shift represents both a challenge and an opportunity for educators.
Research shows that well planned human relations initiatives can increase appreciation of differences and harmony, while reducing the prospect of misunderstanding, conflict and violence. On Common Ground is offering this comprehensive training program to empower school-based personnel to implement or support in-district diversity related initiatives.
This training combines a content and curriculum rich approach with an experiential learning and skill development process to empower advisors.
- Participation in experiential activities that enhance self-knowledge and, in turn, affect the participant's everyday interactions with students and staff.
- Learning or enhancing skills related to program development, facilitation and ongoing management.
- Development of a relevant school action project focusing on the specific diversity needs of each school.
- Semester-long training process that allows for supported skill integration.
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On Common Ground Senior Trainers Dr. Rita Johnson-Ray and Chris Miller will be the lead facilitators for this training. Rita is a professor of psychology at both Cheyney State and Rutgers Universities. Included in the classes Rita teaches are courses on the Psychology of Minorities. Chris is On Common Ground Co-director, is a ANYTOWN-NJ founder, has completed SEED (Seeking Educational Equity in Diversity) training and has designed and implemented diversity focused programs for more than a dozen organizations nationally. Rita and Chris are a seasoned diversity training team having Co-directed four ANYTOWN-NJ week-long training programs together.
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Chris Miller & Dr. Rita Johnson-Ray
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- Advisors to youth bias prevention initiatives (e.g. ANYTOWN, ERASE, Peer Leadership, etc.)
- District Diversity Officer
- Staff training specialists
- Teachers interested in diversity curriculum infusion
- Districts may wish to create a diversity team by sending several participants or can send one participant.
- On Common Ground is approved by the NJ Dep't of Education as a professional development service provider, and all hours count toward 100 hour requirement.
- Increase diversity content and resource knowledge for initiatives
- Hone skills necessary to support effective diversity programs.
- Work more effectively with a diverse student population.
- Acquire an effective school-based resource to maximize diversity related initiatives within your district.
- On Common Ground is a NJ Department of Education Character Education Program of Merit (Character Education Funds can be utilized for On Common Ground training.)
- Participants may develop staff training programs to meet Department of Education three year Equity in Diversity requirements.
