THE EDUCATORS' ACADEMY

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THE EQUITABLE TEACHING PRACTICES SERIES ©  Morgan Faison, Ph.D., Associate Professor/ Senior Consultant

This series is an 8-month course that encourages both new and veteran educators to REFLECT, RECOGNIZE, and RE-ENGINEER their teaching engagements with students, as well as pedagogical behaviors,  to become culturally responsive to the learning needs of  ALL students.

Dr. Morgan Faison is a respected leader among National Professional Development experts.  Her trainings emphasize "teacher change" as she aids practitioners in bridging research-based theories about culture and their application in education.  Far from the "sit-and-get-styled" staff development models, Dr. Faison brings energy and depth to the work of transforming the mindset of educators by providing high-quality professional learning.  Her unique methods blend the application and modeling of adult learning theories, critical pedagogy, culturally responsive teaching, and constructivism.

By experiencing themselves as intellectuals, learners, and cultural beings and by receiving respectful scaffolded guidance and support for adopting identity relevant and responsive approaches, Dr. Faison empowers teachers to indeed, "teach reflectively and teach EQUITABLY".

When Difference Makes A Difference: Then Sings My Song© is a 6-hour introductory mini-course designed to expose educators to the cultural and economic histories of racism in America as they examine and reflect on the impact that those histories have on today's classrooms.

Dr. Jewel Faison is a respected veteran public and private school leader, and an early proponent of encouraging the practices of successful teachers of urban African American students who are at-risk of school failure to influence classroom pedagogy.  Today much work has been done by educators around culturally relevant/culturally responsive teaching.  While the research is replete the practice of educating ALL children has not been fully realized in many public school classrooms.  Dr. Faison's 'southern-mother-wit style', and acknowledgement of the political pitfalls of "change" is reflected in her unique talent to support educators as they walk beyond deficit thinking of differences among their students, to embracing the full intersectionality of difference.

Educators complete the activities associated with this course with an empathetic, yet activist-level commitment to learn more about supporting students who experience poverty, marginalization and school systemstic trauma.

THE UBUNTU CULTURAL STUDY RETREAT

Jewel Jones Faison, Ph.D., Senior Consultant

Perhaps the greatest and most perpetually, enduring horror experienced by Africans brought to America was the striping away of their names and languages, the separation of families, and the denial of the opportunity to fully live their culture.  For it is these elements of legacy that are passed down through the generations to preserve  as well as restore the order, dignity and pride of any people.  We acknowledge that these acts of dehumanization have a direct correlation to the general blight (e.g. poverty, homelessness, drugs, and violence) which plagued large numbers of African Americans today.  However, we believe that reconnection to the soil of Mother Africa is an effective and restorative tool for African American’s to reclaim this legacy and break negative cycles that challenge their true  idenity - especially in a racist (and capitalistic) society. 

          Unapologetically, we believe that until the human spirit is intentionally awakened and connected to its Creator, there is at best a synthetic awareness of one’s true potential.  The  human spirit of African Americans latently long to be reconnected authentically to the land and culture of their ancestors.  Thus, THE UBUNTU CULTURAL STUDY RETREAT is designed to reconnect African Americans to the land and culture from whence they came.  Through experiential learning of cultural traditions and lessons of the journey that brought our ancestors to the shores of America, participants will gain a sense of identity and context beyond the general learnings that many have experienced in their American education (schools)  and socialization.  COME ADVENTURE WITH US!  Gain knowledge and understanding about African Americans' pre-Trans-Atlantic life!

COME WITH US:

For 8-10 days of learning, reflection and adventure.  A cultural tour and welcoming ceremony in Historic Breman Essiam as you support the completion of the only privately built Cultural Art Center in the country.  A project of the PARAMOUNT  QUEENMOTHER NANA EFUAA ESSIWA II, in the Central Region.  Your tour will include visits to:

• Black Star (Independence) Square
• Slave River (The Last Bath)
• Slave castles of Elmina 
• Cape Coast Kente' Market & Tailor-mades by Naomi
• Kakum National Park
• W. E. B. DuBois Centre for Pan Africanism

WRITING FROM THE SOUL Featuring A National Award Winning Author in Residence

A 2-day workshop that builds on the oral tradition of African cultures. This workshop helps educators of upper-elementary  through high school to honor and develop the  writer's 'VOICE' in students and bridge the authentic writing skills of all students.  Students use symbols, art and english  to express themselves.

A 1-day workshop that helps educators create respectful schools, classrooms, environments and lessons.

A 2-day workshop that cultivates teachers as SEERS of African American children's  cultural assets.

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