With the start of classes just around the corner, 26 Oglethorpe faculty attended the “Inclusive Pedagogy Core School,” a training workshop organized as a collaboration between the Core Program, co-directed by  Dr. Kathleen Peters and Dr. Stephen Herschler Mattern, and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, led by Dr. Laura Renée Chandler.

Dr. Angel Jones gives a lecture on facilitating anti-racist dialogues in the classroom.

Over the course of three days, faculty attended guest lectures, participated in group discussions, and engaged in training exercises — all aimed at helping educators foster a more inclusive learning environment.

Included in the lineup of guest lecturers were:

• Dr. Angel Jones, a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning in the School of Education, Health, and Human Behavior at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, whose research examines the impact of racism and microaggressions on the mental health of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) students at historically white institutions
• Dr. Dyanis Popova, assistant professor of equity and diversity in education at Randolph Macon College and an expert in culturally-responsive pedagogy

Dr. Peters and Dr. Chandler also lectured on inclusive syllabi and the Intercultural Development Inventory, respectively.

“The Inclusive Pedagogy Core School was an excellent opportunity to develop a community of practice around inclusive strategies in the classroom,” says Dr. Chandler. “Faculty participants engaged in spirited debate and discussion and were able to meet with leading practitioners in the field. I continue to be inspired by the dedication of OU faculty to the success of our students.”