Teaching and Working in a Diverse World

Cultural and Ethnic Diversity in Maine

Friday October 22nd, 2010

The Changing Face of Maine

Session Description:

Maine is now home to many immigrants, over 50,000 from more than 100 countries. Whether by choice or not, relocating from the other side of the world or a neighboring state, for most, they all share a dream; calling a place home. Their journey, taking them across seas, mountains and hostile lands and unfriendly borders, to the US reads like an epic. Their courage, reminiscent of heroism of those coming before them in past centuries, to leave everything familiar behind, most times not by choice, to arrive in a strange land to start a new life is worth retelling. This presentation will examine who our new neighbors are; their educational aspiration and the opportunities and challenges they and Maine educators would face, in meeting their educational needs.

Presenter Information:

Reza Jalali, recognized as one of the eminent ethnic Americans in Making it in America: a sourcebook on eminent ethnic Americans (©2001by Elliott Robert Barkan), is a Kurd from Iran. He is a human rights and refugee activist who has lived in Maine since 1985. Jalali is one of the contributing writers to Child Labor: A Global View (©2004, Greenwood Press), the multimedia production Middle East Suitcase Project (©2005, Center for Cultural Exchange), and The World of Child Labor: An Historical and Regional Survey (©2009, M.E. Sharpe Inc.) Jalali wrote the Foreword to New Mainers (©2009, Tilbury House, Publishers) a book on immigrant’s experiences in Maine. His first children book, Moon Watchers, was published by Tilbury House, Publishers in June 2010. Jalali has been included in “50 In 52 Journey, a national project to name “Americans who are problem-solvers, idea-generators in their communities, in their cities, and in their States and are moving America forward.” Reza teaches Islam at the Bangor Theological Seminary and is the Muslim Chaplain at Bates College. He is employed at the University of Southern Maine in Portland, Maine.

Addressing Anti-Immigrant Bias at Work and in the Community

Session Description:

“Refugee should go back to their countries.” “Muslims are terrorists.” “Immigrants are ruining the economy.” Everyday, immigrants are targeted in Maine and across the country because of the nationality, race and religion. In this workshop, hear how to address disparaging statements like these and help reduce the anti-immigrant sentiment that is escalating in the United States. Learn more about the New Migration Project and how together we can ensure that all residents in Maine are safe and included in our communities.

Presenter Information:

Cheryl Hamilton: New Migration Project Director at the Center for Preventing Hate. Cheryl Hamilton joined the Center for Preventing Hate staff in August 2008. In her position, Cheryl manages the Center’s communication activities, as well as the New Migration Project, which focuses on reducing anti-immigrant bias in neighborhoods across the United States. Cheryl brings years of experience working with diverse populations as a trainer and consultant for refugee related programs, including working for the Cities of Lewiston and Portland during the Somali influx to Lewiston in 2001 and latter as the director for RefugeeWorks, the national center for refugee employment. Contact: cherylh@preventinghate.org

Accessing the Cultural Capital of our Immigrant and Refugee Students and their Families

Session Description:

This session will examine how teachers can enhance their instructional practices by tapping into the rich linguistic and cultural traditions of their students.  Using video clips and student work attendees will discuss specific strategies that can be used to access and build on student assets which are often viewed as deficits.

Presenter Information:

Margot is the Professional Development Specialist at the Multilingual and Multicultural Center for Portland Public Schools. She has been an English language educator for 20 years working overseas and in the United States. With over 60 languages spoken in the district, Portland is an exciting place to work and learn. Her current focus is on transforming teacher knowledge of academic language and the English Language Proficiency Standards into effective instructional practices.

Race vs. Ethnicity: How to Interact in Meaningful and Respectful Ways with People Different from Ourselves

Session Description:

This session aims to challenge the public into understanding the difference between race and ethnicity. By using cross-cultural examples of people from around the world, the session will foster a frank and engaging discussion on how to avoid assumptions when meeting people of different backgrounds. The goal is to expose students to the impacts of seemingly well-intentioned “multicultural” interactions and talk about ways in which positive interactions can occur.

Presenter Information:

Constanza is a professor in the Anthropology Department at the University of Maine, Orono. For over a decade she has worked in tropical rainforest around the world where she lives with local population in order to understand how their cultural belief system aids the management of local ecosystems. Her teaching and research emphasizes the complexity of ethnic identity, since ethnicity is often based on the way a person looks or sounds instead of a complex set of cultural, economic, environmental, and social variables.

Telling Stories Around the World

Session Description:

As the modern classroom becomes more culturally diverse, teaching strategies are needed that show universal truths among cultures.  All learners need to see themselves in the literature of the classroom.  Storytelling is another strategy by which students from all cultures can find themselves and can be used across all disciplines and all learners from young children to adults.  The emphasis in this session will focus on the use of stories from various cultures to promote understanding and techniques for telling stories.

Presenter Information:

Dr. Blackstone is a storyteller who has used storytelling in all areas of education from the first grade classroom to graduate courses.  Currently she is researching the use of narrative inquiry as a professional development tool.  She is actively involved in M.O.O.S.E (Maine Organization of Storytelling Enthusiasts), LANES (League for the Advancement of New England Storytelling) and NSN (National Storytelling Network).

Latino Youth with Disabilities and their Families

Session Description:

The Latino population is the fastest growing cultural ethnic minority in the United States. Cultural differences often create barriers to service provision and appropriate partnering between educators, professionals and families. This session will explore current evidence-based best practices in service provision to Latino youth and their families. Participants will explore the use of strengths-based approaches to working with members of non-dominant cultures and understand the importance of self-reflection when working in the helping professions.

Presenter Information:

Tiana Povenmire-Kirk is an Assistant Professor of special education at UMF. Her research includes secondary special education, transition to adult life for youth with disabilities, diversity, cultural competence, risk and resilience. She searches for new ways to meet community needs by combining existing resources. Her work seeks to empower and give voice to those who have been marginalized and disenfranchised. She teaches her students to change the world by impacting individuals, families and communities.

Changes in Maine’s Population — ESL Endorsement: Why is it important and how do I earn it?

Session Description:

In the last decade, Maine has experienced changes in its’ demographics which has teachers increasingly finding themselves working in multicultural classrooms with English Language Learners (ELLs).  This session will discuss challenges these changes pose on school districts as well as teachers.  Also, you will learn how you can earn an ESL Endorsement and why it is beneficial for every teacher.

Presenter Information:

Shelly Chasse-Johndro, graduated with a B.S. from University of Maine at Farmington and a M.Ed. from the University of Maine. She is a certified mathematics teacher and holds an ESL endorsement. Shelly is Project Opportunity’s Coordinator and teaches ESL endorsement courses for in-service and pre-service teachers at the University of Maine.  In addition, Shelly serves as a member of the Maine Department of Education Bias and Sensitivity Committee and volunteers as the President-Elect of NNETESOL.  She can be reached at shelly.chasse@maine.edu.

Immigration in Modern America

Session Description: The public history of immigration in the United States, which draws on icons such as the Statue of Liberty and the melting pot metaphor, is part of our national success story. The complexities of immigration in the 21^st century both reflect earlier controversies and present new challenges. How do we answer the question, “Who belongs here?” How will our answer affect our historical image of ourselves as a haven for those who want a better life? This session addresses the 21^st century immigrant experience through the dual lens of social studies and literature for students in grades K-8. We will examine themes in modern immigration and discuss literature that will bring these experiences to life.

Presenter Information: Becky Berger is an associate professor of Elementary Education at the University of Maine at Farmington. When her son Joshua was six, he said, “She teaches and she reads books.” Both still apply. Becky can be reached at Rebecca.berger@maine.edu. Cathy Wimett is an associate professor of literacy education and Chair of the Division of Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Education.  When Becky Berger told her to start working on this presentation, she got right on it – and she’s glad she did. She’s learned a great deal but knows there are many miles to go.

Will You Come to My Party?

Session Description:The session will include the successes and challenges of developing family literacy events in an Early Reading First project from the Muskie
School at USM.  The session will include how ERF colloborated with the Lewiston-Auburn libraries and Androscoggin Head Start to provide family literacy events that reached out to all families in the community. Information about strategies used and lessons learned will be included as well as some preliminary data about what motivated families to attend our events.

Presenter Information: Monica Redlevske is currently working on an Early Reading First grant for the Muskie School of Public Service at USM.  Her educational
background includes a B.S. from UMF in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s in Literacy Education from USM.  She also holds a graduate certificate in Early Language and Literacy as well as K-3 certification and 282 endorsement for working with children with special needs.  She is currently enrolled in doctoral work in Literacy at UMO.  Monica can be reached at mredlevkse@usm.maine.edu or 207-228-8164.

Between Two Rivers

Session Description:

Aruna Kenyi is a native of Sudan who now lives in Maine. His story “The Photograph” appeared in the Telling Room anthology I Remember Warm Rain in 2007. Between Two Rivers, Kenyi’s memoir just published by The Telling Room, is the story of his improbably journey from East Africa to Southern Maine–a story, still in progress, of the events, people, and places that have helped define him. Kenyi will discuss and read from his new memoir and answer questions.

Presenter Information:

Aruna Kenyi is a graduate of Portland High School and currently attends the University of Maine at Farmington where he is studying to be a high school health educator. All proceeds from his memoir will support his college fund.

Religious Diversity, Education and the First Amendment

Session Description:

The intersection of religion and the classroom is an area which can be filled with questions for the beginning teacher.  Your questions and concerns might involve your own beliefs and how they impact your classroom.  Or your questions and concerns might be centered on the increasing diversity we are experiencing in Maine classrooms, particularly involving the Somali population and Islam.  We will examine these issues and others as they intersect with the First Amendment.

Presenter Information:

Donna Karno is an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education at UMF.  With a PH.D. in Child Development and Education, and a M.A. in Political Science, her teaching and research interests explore education using an interdisciplinary approach.  Her experiences with diverse populations are brought into the classroom in the preparation of preservice teachers for meeting the needs of Maine’s changing students families.  During her previous years of teaching political science and her experiences in education including classroom teaching and center administration, she discovered that student and teacher knowledge regarding diversity and religion are frequently filled with confusion.

Coming of Age, Coming to America: Refugees and Immigration in Young Adult Literature

Session Description:

In this session, we will look at the topic of immigration and refugees in Young Adult Literature – books written specifically for the middle and high school age reader (but, increasingly and happily read by people beyond their middle and high school years, too!).  Part of our session will focus on this topic/theme more broadly, considering what it means and the various ways it appears in the genre.  The second part of our session will be devoted to closer examination of a small number of specific titles.

Presenter Information:

Clarissa Thompson, Ph.D, is an associate professor of Secondary English Education, at the University of Maine at Farmington.  She teaches courses in Content Literacy, English Methods, and Young Adult Literature.  Her professional interests include the pedagogy of teacher education, English teacher preparation and new teacher learning.  She is joined for this session by several current and former students: Sara Cole, Kayla Coombs, Rebecca LaRose, Danielle Terrill and John Thomas.

Growing Globally Minded Learners – A Personal Story

Session Description:

In this session, Laura Val will be sharing how Celebrating Human Creativity came about through Laura’s personal and professional journeys as well as the 4 questions that started it all!  Celebrating Human Creativity, also known as “CHC” is a 501(c)3 educational initiative that partners with educators in guiding and supporting the development of the skills and competencies students will need to become informed, self-reliant, active participants in a rapidly transforming global community.

In addition, participants will get an overview of this new pedagogical model that facilitates a student-centered, interactive, and transformational experience in learning that not only develops critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and leadership skills but also promotes increased agility and flexibility of mind.

Presenter Information:

Laura Val is a social entrepreneur, a filmmaker and an interculturalist whose passion is to use visual media to celebrate the richness of human experience. Through her work she strives to cultivate among people an understanding of cultural differences, facilitate transformative thinking and inspire positive action.