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Multicultural Education Institute Reignites Educators’ Passions
About 175 educators from across Texas attended the second annual Multicultural Education Institute, hosted by the Fort Worth ISD Social Studies Department.
The department teamed up with Texas Christian University’s Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies to present the all-day event, hosted February 2 at TCU’s Rees-Jones Hall. Nearly 30 sessions equipped teachers with curriculum and resources that’s culturally responsive to educating today’s diverse classrooms of students.
The sessions focused on four strands – Community Connections, Culturally Relevant Instruction, Social Emotional Learning and Literacy, Language and Sociolinguistics.
Mr. Jacinto Ramos, Jr. District 1 Board of Education trustee, gave the opening keynote address. Dr. David A. Colon, an associate professor of English and Latino Studies at TCU, was the featured speaker at this year’s institute.
“The energy, collaborative spirit, and sense of purpose behind the institute was especially palpable this year,” said Joseph Niedziela, FWISD’s director of social studies. “Mr. Ramos’ keynote really hit home for attendees. It sparked an energy that grew throughout the day and [took] on a life of its own. Attendees seemed happy while at the same time serious about the day’s work. As one teacher said, the institute ‘helped me remember why we do what we do. I am encouraged and motivated to value and appreciate even more my opportunity to change students’ lives in our district.’”
Pre-kindergarten-12, junior college, and university-level educators from Fort Worth, across the North Texas region, Commerce, Houston and San Antonio took part in this year’s institute. More than a dozen exhibitors filled the institute’s expo room, including Artes de la Rosa, Cultural Center for the Arts; Baba Kwasi of Kamau Kings and Queens, an Arlington-based performing arts and mentoring institute; the Fort Worth ISD American Indian Education Program, Fort Worth Sister Cities, the National Western Heritage Multicultural Museum and the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth.
Use the hashtag #NoSingleStory to view posts, video and pictures from the 2019 institute on Twitter.
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