Ten resources to activate awareness of cultural and linguistic diversity

Why is cultural and linguistic diversity important to us at CID?

In line with our core values of respect and compassionate, individualized education, CID is committed to building a culture of inclusivity for our students and families. We see a multitude of identities intersect in our CID community. As such, we strongly believe representation of these identities matters. Through the work of examining our school culture, we continue to activate awareness of our school staff through critical conversations, ongoing professional development and the sharing of resources. Below are ten examples of organizations, teaching materials and books which guide us on this life-long journey.

Organizations

  1. The Radical Middle
    • Communication choice belongs to a family. For families that choose listening and spoken language, CID provides outstanding services. The Radical Middle provides a community of professionals with expertise in other communication modes.
  2. Teaching Tolerance
    • Their mission is to help teachers and schools educate children and youth to be active participants in a diverse democracy. Their free resources include a monthly publication (paper or digital), podcast, lessons, prints, videos and many more.
  3. We Stories
    • This local non-profit organization partners with families to promote conversations about race through literature. The We Stories model of beginning this process through examining the literature is a good starting point to activate conversations at home.
  4. Educators for Social Justice
    • This organization is committed to connecting educators across the lifespan and building networks to mobilize resources to promote progressive change.

Teaching Materials

  1. My Family Builders
    • Representation matters, especially during play! These open-ended educational wooden toys encourage children to embrace family diversity through play. Check out toys with hearing devices!
  2. I Never Forget A Face
    • This matching game celebrates various representations of cultures. A great language or auditory training activity for any age!
  3. Represent your students with art supplies that match their skin tones!
    • Construction paper
    • Crayons
    • Markers
    • Paint

Books

  1. Preschool Board Books
  1. Elementary Picture Books
  1. Young Adult Novels

These are just some of the resources you can use to guide diversity efforts in your own organization. Let us know in the comments if there are any resources you use which are not listed here!

 


  amanda dunaway2

Amanda Dunaway is currently serving as the Instructional Facilitator at CID – Central Institute for the Deaf in the Virginia J. Browning Primary School.  She is also a student in the Ph.D. program for Speech and Hearing Sciences through the Program in Audiology and Communication Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine. In 2009 she became a certified Listening and Spoken Language Specialist (LSLS Cert. AVEd). Her professional interests include mathematical cognition, academic instruction for children who are d/hh and preservice teacher preparation. She is a CODA (child of a deaf adult) and a SODA (sibling of a deaf adult).

 

NEMETH2

Audrey Nemeth is a mentor and parent coach in the Anabeth and John Weil Early Childhood Center at CID – Central Institute for the Deaf. Ms. Nemeth holds professional certification from the national Council of Education of the Deaf, as well as Listening and Spoken Language Specialist certification (LSLS Cert AVEd) from the AG Bell Academy. Audrey has a passion for supporting parents of children who are deaf and hard of hearing. She also enjoys working with professionals and presenting on a variety of topics, including coaching. 

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