OVERVIEW
Foundations in Equity & Anti-Oppression Video Capsule Series
Sample clips from Video Capsule Series:
The capsules are designed for group work and not set up for independent study.
Each capsule is designed for you, an equity lead, an equity coach, an administrator, a leader in your board (and still a learner) to facilitate the capsule with Dr. West-Burns. She will guide each session and collaboratively you will support staff in building their understandings and potential work through activities, handouts, and breakout conversations.
Your school board may choose to utilize the video series on PA Days, for summer institutes, for training for equity leads or coaches, for school staff meetings, for New Teacher Induction Programs (NTIP), for administrator professional learning, and even for board senior leaders. Depending upon your use, the content contained within these capsules could fill a year or more of essential professional learning.
Foundations in Equity and Anti-Oppression work is for ALL of us!
For questions or further information regarding cost and obtaining a video license, please contact admin@nwb.consulting.
NWB Educational Equity Consulting Inc.’s seven-part Foundations in Equity & Anti-Oppression Video Capsule Series offers your board or school a robust opportunity to engage in building capacity to further your understandings and work tied to addressing issues of equity and anti-oppression.
This foundational video series is designed and delivered by Dr. Nicole West-Burns.
The video series comprises the following capsules:
Capsule 1: The Social Identity Mosaic
Participants will learn about and explore their social identities. They will engage in an activity to think about how these identities have impacted their experiences and their understandings.
Capsule 2: Understanding Oppression
Understanding the system of oppression is critical to be able to take an anti-oppressive stance and engage in anti-oppressive action. Participants will learn about the history of oppression within the Canadian context; and the multiple levels at which oppression operates. School-based scenarios provide further opportunities for exploration.
Capsule 3: How Do We Know What We Know?
Participants will be introduced to James Banks (1999) Knowledge Typology and engage in an Archaeology of Self (Sealey-Ruiz, 2020) activity to look at how they have come to know what they know; including developing biases, attitudes and beliefs. They will be invited to explore how their knowledge impacts decision-making and understandings.
Capsule 4: Positioning to Do the Work
Participants will clarify terms such as charity, social justice, equity, equality and a deficit-based vs. a structural approach. These terms are important to consider as people engage in anti-oppression work and think about what guides them.
Capsule 5: Use Your Voice
This session will focus on participant's responsibilities to respond to bias and harmful language in classrooms, schools and work spaces. Scenarios for practice are shared.
Capsule 6: Creating Curricular Justice with Texts
Participants will have an opportunity to explore important considerations as we attempt to disrupt the default and "classic" texts in our educational programs. Participants will consider how to utilize texts in classroom spaces in ways that enrich the learning environment and support building a positive, anti-oppressive community. True life scenarios will be shared for discussion.
Capsule 7: Taking Action
In seeking transformative change, one resource may be the Equity Continuum (2011). Based on the foundational components of Culturally Responsive and Relevant Pedagogy (CRRP), the continuum offers seven tenets to consider including: Classroom Climate and Instruction, School Climate, Student Voice and Space, Family/Caregiver-School Relations, Community Connections, School Leadership and Culture of Professional Development. Participants will be invited to think about an action plan tied to their schools or classrooms.
“Dr. Nicole West-Burns’ approach is rooted in reflection, systemic change, and sustainable transformation. She has consistently challenged us to examine our social identities and the knowledge systems that shape our beliefs, pedagogy, and practices. Through both in-person facilitation and the Equity and Anti-Oppression Video Capsule Series, Nicole has supported our staff with practical tools and powerful provocations. Her seven-part capsule series has been instrumental in introducing key concepts such as social identity, the Canadian context of oppression, curricular justice, and how to speak up against bias. These capsules not only support professional learning and dialogue but also embed equity learning into the very fabric of our instructional practice.”
– Phil Wilson
Superintendent of Education Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board