Webinar Recap: Becoming an Ally – How School Leaders Can Support an Inclusive School Culture

The webinar included the following helpful information and resources:

• Overview of the various roles that allies play (e.g. advocate vs. sponsor), plus strategies for turning reinforcers of negative behavior into advocates and allies.
• Explanation of the origin of bias and definitions of four different types of bias, including: confirmation bias, expectation bias, cognitive dissonance, and associative reasoning.
• Review of several risk factors that increase our likelihood to engage in bias and strategies for minimizing the chances of bias occurring.
• How to combat microaggressions using tried and true intervention methods including asking questions, relying on basic human values, and organizational core values.
• Guidance for school and district leaders to help facilitate and participate in inclusive meetings by creating a code of conduct, starting every meeting with it, and ensuring all measures are taken to ensure inclusivity (accommodating disabilities, diverse speakers, etc.).
•  Resources for further education on inclusive behaviors.

In addition to the resources and strategies shared by Catherine, the webinar also included a brief introduction to Vector Solutions’ online staff training courses for K-12 schools focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion topics, an overview of our Diversity and Inclusion Program for K-12 Teachers and Staff and High School Students, and a review of the online Student Safety & Wellness Courses for students in grades 6-8 and 9-12.