By Jennifer Howard and\u00a0Lisa Swearingen<\/p>\n
Development Board, last month hosted a training seminar for faculty called \u201cRace: It Does Not Have to be a Four Letter Word.\u201d<\/p>\n
Conducting the workshop was Dr. Altheria Gaston, the Philosophy and Education Department Chair at Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Texas. Her interactive seminar asks each individual if they are sensitive to the racial implications that are perceived by students of color or different nationalities in higher education.<\/p>\n
In other words, how do faculty relate to diversity in their classrooms and, vice-versa, how do students of color view their professors.<\/p>\n
The workshop\u2019s purpose was to show Daytona State College staff how to create and encourage open conversations about diversity in the classroom and balance that with the realities of the subject matter.<\/p>\n
\u201cA college\u2019s ability to respect the social, racial and economic barriers with the use of multicultural material in class is necessary\u201d, said Dr. Gaston. Without it, the topic being discussed may not reflect respect for inclusiveness. Can you learn from someone that you cannot relate to?<\/p>\n
Yes, if the staff represents the demographic working in that field. At DSC the races of the faculty are roughly 50 percent of what the student demographic is. For example, 16 percent of the student body collectively is of Hispanic descent, whereas Latino instructors are only 8.6 percent. These numbers are consistent with the other ethnic backgrounds represented at the institution.<\/p>\n
With respect to the faculty and staff that enrolled in the seminar, their opinions and feedback are confidential because it was a classroom training event. Professors Richard Kraskin and Richard Valero, who both teach in the English Department on the Deltona campus, were grateful for the offering.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think these kinds of workshops are necessary. It is a fact that every age and demographic are finding themselves in academia these days. With a bad economy and the need to reeducate our workforce, as educators we need to promote educational equality,\u201d said Valero.<\/p>\n
Sponsors of the seminar hope to revisit the topic and invite students next time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only problem that we face is getting students and professors to talk openly and candidly about race and personal experience. Students fear repercussions and faculty try to maintain order and social justice in a classroom setting,\u201d Dr. Duke said.<\/p>\n
Dr. Gaston added, \u201cI would be very interested in coming back and conducting another seminar with both students and faculty.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anyone interested in such a future workshop, contact Dr. Nancy Duke and 386-3000, ext. 3653.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Jennifer Howard and\u00a0Lisa Swearingen Development Board, last month hosted a training seminar for faculty called \u201cRace: It Does Not Have to be a Four Letter Word.\u201d Conducting the workshop was Dr. Altheria Gaston, the Philosophy and Education Department Chair at Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Texas. Her interactive Continue reading A look at race and diversity throughout the campus<\/span>