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Virginia School Consortium for Learning

Recognizing and Overcoming Implicit Bias and Microaggressions

Grades K-12
Wednesday, 23 October 2019 October 23 October 23, 2019

  • Presented by:
    Dr. Joseph Williams
  • Location:
    Holiday Inn, Charlottesville, VA

Important Notice

There will be a discount for teams of five participants from the same school division (if four participants are registered, a fifth participant can register to attend at no additional charge.

Event Details

No matter how unbiased we think we are, we all hold negative attitudes and stereotypes towards others based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, primary language, socioeconomic status, etc. – that we are unaware of. Even the most dedicated and well-meaning educators hold stereotypes and beliefs that affect how they respond to and interact with students and their families. Unfortunately, these beliefs can be as harmful as they are inevitable—at least when unexamined. Often what gets the most attention are overt behaviors that reveal our prejudices and demonstrate discrimination. What is frequently overlooked or not discussed are implicit biases that often get reflected in the form of microaggressions. Microaggressions occur as a result of implicit or unconscious bias and can be defined as daily verbal, behavioral or environmental messages (whether intentional or unintentional) that communicate that another person’s identity or heritage is less valued or is perceived negatively. These everyday occurrences may on the surface appear quite trivial – even harmless. However, research indicates they have a powerful impact upon the behavior and academic performance of students. During this highly interactive workshop, participants will: develop an understanding of how and why implicit bias exists; identify their own unconscious biases; discuss evidence-based, practical strategies for reducing and interrupting implicit biases; identify various forms of microaggressions; understand the harmful impact of implicit bias and microaggressions on student behaviors and outcomes; and explore how to respond to microaggressions at school and in everyday situations. The goal of the workshop is to help educators reflect on their own implicit biases and become aware of microaggressions that are a part of their everyday lives. An emphasis will be placed on identifying and managing unconscious biases and microaggressions and on understanding how they affect student outcomes.

Audience

Grades K-12

Classroom Teachers, Coaches, Instructional Leaders, and Administrators

Event Schedule

This event will be held at the Holiday Inn, 1901 Emmet Street, Charlottesville, VA 22901.

Registration and a Hot Breakfast Buffet will open at 8 am.

The Conference will be held from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm.

A hot Luncheon Buffet will be served at noon.

Free Parking and Internet Access are also included as part of the conference registration fee.

Recertification Certificates (5 points) will be given at the end of the PD Conference.

Registration Details

In the registration form (below), required fields are indicated with a red asterisk.  Mistakes made in completing the form will be highlighted in red.

Once you have submitted the registration, the person or people whom you have designated to receive a confirmation email should see that email (with registration information included) within 24 hours.

Pre-Payment for VaSCL conferences is not required.

The person identified on the registration form below as the Billing Contact will receive via email an invoice for payment of the registration fee AFTER the conference has been held.

If you need to receive an invoice BEFORE the event is held, please contact VaSCL Administrative Coordinator, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If a purchase order number is provided on the registration form (or sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. via email, if the registration form has already been submitted), it will be referenced on the invoice.

PLEASE NOTE: Notification of cancellation must be sent by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 5:00 p.m. SEVEN DAYS BEFORE the EVENT is held. . . or you will be billed in full.

Contact VaSCL

If you have questions or concerns, or would like to receive more information about this conference, please contact our Administrative Assistant, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

October 23 October 23, 2019
Recognizing and Overcoming Implicit Bias and Microaggressions
Holiday Inn, Charlottesville, VA
September 20, 2019
Grades K-12