DID YOU KNOW that 53%
of the students in US public schools are black and brown, while only 18% of their teachers look like them? Our students of color (specifically African American and Hispanic/Latino students) fall below their non-minority peers and national averages regarding their academic achievement, graduation, and employment rates due to racial and ethnic disparities like this. And what is even worse is that students of color are overrepresented in office referrals, suspensions, and referrals to special education and underrepresented in gifted programs and AP courses. Racial and ethnic disparities in public education have dire consequences that negatively impact our black and brown students, the schools they attend, the districts they are part of, and the communities in which they live. There is no denying that most significant challenges facing K12 education today relate to the lack of
diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I)
that are part of the day-to-day teaching and learning experiences to which these students are exposed.
That's where I come in. My work with teachers globally shifts how students learn and teachers teach.
I provide a proprietary framework, the EQUAL Methodology™️, that helps schools and districts confront the challenges of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Let's prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion and improve student achievement together!
Five key EQUAL Methodology™️ topics I speak about are how schools, districts, and educators can:
EVALUATE
Evaluate educational spaces, so they promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
QUALIFY
Qualify teaching practices, so they embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion.
UPLIFT
Uplift the critical thinking patterns of students to boost future-ready skills.
ACTIVATE
Activate a student success team of stakeholders to influence outcomes positively.
LEVERAGE
Leverage equitable assessment practices that offer choice, voice, and authenticity.
The EQUAL Methodology™️ is at the heart of the programs I create. It makes them perfect for pre-service and in-service teachers who require tools and strategies to bridge cultural gaps and build quality relationships with their students. The EQUAL Methodology™️ helps educators:
EVALUATE
SCHOOL CULTURE
Start with strengths, limitations (growth opportunities), and biases (yes, biases...we all have them), then learn how to let people live their differences in an inclusive learning space.
QUALIFY
TEACHER PRACTICES
Diversify the content, materials, curriculum, and practices to represent students' cultures, backgrounds, unique learning styles, interests, etc., and those of their ancestors.
UPLIFT
STUDENT SKILL SETS
Provide opportunities in the learning activities for students to learn and practice their executive functioning, future-ready, and socio-emotional skills.
ACTIVATE
STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIPS
Build relationships with parents, families, administrators, colleagues, community members, etc., because they also contribute to students' successful outcomes.
LEVERAGE
EQUITABLE ASSESSMENTS
Design assessments and assessment processes that allow students to showcase their learning and mastery of the content in diverse and authentic ways and with choice and voice.
The EQUAL Methodology™️
Educators will leave my speaking events with solid, tangible, practical examples, and solutions to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in their setting, curriculum, activities, outreach, and assessments.
The experience, content, context, and resources educators receive from my speaking events have a high value of up to $40,000, but that is not the price you'll pay! While other speakers in the field have fees that start at $7000 and can go all the way to $35,000, my programs are more affordable and are customizable to meet your school's or teachers' needs.
Michelle is a leader in the education technology community. Her commitment to putting learners first, her focus on growing her professional learning network, and her creative problem-solving skills have made her an asset in the community. Michelle is continuously seeking out new opportunities to explore education and speaks up for those whose voices may go unheard to champion education reform. In addition to her impact in our educator community, I’ve received many compliments from other educators and colleagues from around the world noticing Michelle’s contribution in education. She is reliable, knowledgeable and someone who leans into life with optimism and grit!
– Robyn Hrivnatz, Director of the MSUS Education Industry Team, Microsoft
Working with Michelle is always a pleasure. She brings a unique combination of understanding the demands of a teacher's 'day-to-day' work, with a deep understanding of how technology can support and improve the outcomes teachers are seeking on behalf of their students. She brings a broad range of tech experience in her toolkit, enabling her to apply different solutions and ideas to fit the need. At Prezi we recognized Michelle as one of our first 'Featured Educators' and were fortunate to have her speak on a panel sharing her insights into how to build and maintain school community which was incredibly well received by our global community of educators!
– Rob Bayuk, Senior Education Marketing Team Lead, Prezi
Please complete the Speaking Request Form.
Once you complete the form, you may book some time on our calendar by going to booklcte.com.
Want to open the Form in a new window? Click HERE.
