Welcome to Starting the Journey
Starting the Journey is a series of learning modules focused on helping educators improve school climate through culturally responsive practices. Understanding deeply and adapting to cultural difference takes time. It's a journey, not a destination, and requires each of us to reflect honestly and critically on our own behaviors.
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Senior Instructor
Dr. Renae Azziz
Dr. Renae Azziz and her team of consultants support educators nationally in the areas of Culturally Responsive Practices Response-to-Intervention, Data-Based Decision Making, Assessment, Positive Behavior Support etc. Dr. Azziz practiced as a School Psychologist in Indiana and also worked on grants funded by the Indiana Department of Education supporting Indiana’s Initiatives on Response to Intervention, Culturally Responsive PBIS, and Minority Disproportionality in Special Education. She was also appointed by former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels to the Commission on Disproportionality in Youth Services which resulted in several legislative outcomes. Further, Dr. Azziz and her team of consultants have served as Project evaluators for statewide initiatives and Corrective Action Plans in Indiana and Louisiana. Renae is the author of several articles and professional development resources geared to supporting educators with developing awareness, knowledge, and skills to meet the needs of all students. Renae received an Ed.S. in School Psychology, an M.S. in Educational Psychology, and a B.A. with honors in Psychology from Indiana University and earned her Doctorate in Education at The Johns Hopkins University specializing in Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education.
Curriculum Contents
Each Module includes the following components:
1. Pre-Module Survey to assess current levels of knowledge associated with module content
2. A Narrated Presentation introducing specific content relevant to Culturally Responsive Practice
3. Post-Module Assessment to check for comprehension of Module content
4. Application activities designed to deepen your understanding of content
5. Reflection Activities to facilitate discussion of Module content
Our online courses are designed for individual or group use. We constructed our online courses to connect course materials to real-world practice. In addition, our courses are mobile-friendly which makes it easy and practical to continue your professional learning anytime and anywhere.
Today’s educators are always looking for ways to increase their skills and knowledge. This often includes continuing education to stay up to date with current trends and industry changes. Professional development courses enable you to broaden your knowledge, stay current, and develop new skills that you can immediately apply.
Taking a professional development course online can help you grow in your field and position you to take advantage of exciting opportunities. And most importantly, have the skills to meet the needs of all students.
Learning Objectives
Module 1: Learning Objectives
- Define Culture
- Identify ways in which culture is an essential aspect of school climate
- Gain knowledge of the framework of culturally responsive practice
Module 2: Learning Objectives
- Develop knowledge regarding variations in behavior across culture
- Develop knowledge regarding the impact of culture on learning
- Develop knowledge regarding the impact of cultural differences in our classrooms and school environments.
Module 3: Learning Objectives
- Develop tools and skills for structuring a culturally compatible classroom environment
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Develop tools and skills required to implement culturally connected instructional strategies through:
- Total Participation Techniques
- Differentiated Instruction
Module 4: Learning Objectives
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Develop tools and skills required to implement culturally connected instructional strategies through:
- Cooperative Learning
- Visual Thinking Strategies
- Planning for Sustained Implementation of Culturally Responsive Practice school environment
General Questions
- How long do I have access to complete the course? You will have access to the online course for 120 days.
- Can I work at my own pace? Every course is self-paced and accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Can I work on the course on my iPad or iPhone? Yes.
How You Can Use Our Online PD
- Teachers use our online PD to learn independently through a self-paced format that helps you improve your classroom practice.
- State, district, and school administrators use our on online PD to tailor and target professional development for groups or individual learners.
- Staff development coordinators use our online PD to bolster school-based district programs with research-based content from Virtuoso staff.
Once you complete each module, you must successfully pass the post-module assessment and share your reflections on your take-aways with the application activities before moving on to the next module. The degree to which changes in your environment will occur is directly related to the amount of attention, practice, and repetition you dedicate to it.
