Credential students participate in Museum of Tolerance event
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On May 15, sixty MAT+ Credential candidates, UCI CalTeach candidates and staff from both programs traveled to the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles to participate in a day-long event. Through state of the art exhibits, the Museum of Tolerance lets millions of visitors become witnesses to history, puts a spotlight on the discrimination and inequities that are still part of our social fabric and challenges us to confront prejudice, including our own.
The day was dedicated to exploring new insights and tools to help attendees in creating more inclusive and equitable school communities. Activities included touring museum exhibits, listening to live testimony of Dr. Terrence Roberts – one of the Little Rock Nine – and engaging in interactive workshops customized by the museum's Tools for Tolerance team. |
MAT+Credential and UCI CalTeach students attend a day-long event at the Museum of Tolerance
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"My favorite part of the trip was hearing Dr. Terrence J. Roberts from the Little Rock Nine share his experience and wisdom as we asked him questions about topics like racism, reading, music, and education," said MAT Candidate Alejandra Dominguez, while MAT instructor and UCI Writing Project Director of Research Huy Chung added, "It was a really special moment to get to speak with Dr. Terrence Roberts, of the Little Rock Nine. He is living proof that despite all odds and adversity, that there are ways to overcome the hate and vitriol, and to still have dignity and become wiser and still harbor no hate."
Participants listened to live testimony from Dr. Terrence Roberts
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Museum of Tolerance staff facilitated critical conversations around advancing human dignity and social justice in schools. Attendees were given advice on how to speak up and respond to biased language expressed by students and other adults. They discussed short scenarios and practical ways for responding in the "moment". Attendees walked away with strategies that inspire them to Be Prepared, Be Positive, Be Confident, Be Encouraging, and Work Together.
The Speak Up At School resource given to attendees encourages everyone to speak up to prevent hate from having the last word. Every voice matters and each is vital to creating inclusive schools. Acacia M. Warren, MAT single subject coordinator and organizer of the event, said, "The Museum of Tolerance equipped our teacher candidates and participating staff with tools for speaking up and responding to everyday prejudice, bias, and stereotypes. We learned how to engage in critical conversations regarding student behaviors and reactions toward racial divides, isms, and other sensitive topics. These skill sets are essential for all educators and paramount to fostering inclusive and equitable spaces in schools." |
Dominguez said, "The visit highlighted the important role educators play in addressing bias and injustices in the classroom. In order to place compassion and love in the forefront of teaching, we need to constantly self-reflect on ourselves and how we treat others," while CalTeach Candidate Abigail Nicholson said the experience will impact how she thinks inside and outside the classroom.
"The workshop gave me a safe environment to practice strategies to address potential racist, sexist, and ableist comments made by students," she said.
"Our experience at the MOT shined light on the ways that we as educators can work to promote equity and justice in and out of the classroom," said MAT Candidate Ian Ridsale. "The speakers, workshops, and interactive exhibits not only taught us ways to improve ourselves as educators, but informed us of ways that we can facilitate these ideas among our students."
"One thing I took away from the day was that we 'have to become CEO' of our own learning and that to confront extremism, we have to educate ourselves and others as to how insidious radicalism can be, especially when there's so much suffering around the world," Chung said.
"It starts with us."
"The workshop gave me a safe environment to practice strategies to address potential racist, sexist, and ableist comments made by students," she said.
"Our experience at the MOT shined light on the ways that we as educators can work to promote equity and justice in and out of the classroom," said MAT Candidate Ian Ridsale. "The speakers, workshops, and interactive exhibits not only taught us ways to improve ourselves as educators, but informed us of ways that we can facilitate these ideas among our students."
"One thing I took away from the day was that we 'have to become CEO' of our own learning and that to confront extremism, we have to educate ourselves and others as to how insidious radicalism can be, especially when there's so much suffering around the world," Chung said.
"It starts with us."
