Becoming an Equity-Minded Instructor
About
Anchored in the Austin Community College (ACC) Faculty Values and developed by Dr. Lydia A. CdeBaca-Cruz, the Becoming an Equity-Minded Instructor course is designed to decrease equity gaps across our institution. Faculty members will go on a journey of self-examination and critical reflection in order to implement evidence-based equitable teaching and learning strategies.
If you have any questions, please contact Aimee Finney, amy.finney@austincc.edu
Overview
This six-week course is offered in a hybrid online format, with 5 asynchronous learning modules and 2-hour synchronous weekly meetings. The meetings are dedicated to faculty sharing, learning, reflecting, and collaborating with each other about course material and the collective application of equity-minded teaching principles. The final synchronous meeting will consist of a digital story showcase in which participants will present narratives of their journey toward equity-mindedness.
This course is a 30-hour commitment for faculty participants. Only 15 spots are available for each cohort on a first come first served. The deadline to register has passed.
Please Note: There will be two fall cohorts. One will meet on Wednesdays and one will meet on Fridays. All synchronous meetings are held via Zoom. Wednesday meetings are from 6 to 8pm and Friday meetings are from 1 to 3pm.
Criteria
Taught at ACC for a minimum of any 2 semesters
Stipend
$300 for successful completion
Dates for 2024
Dates to be announced.
Registration
The deadline to register has passed.
Course Topics & Meetings
| Week & Module |
Meeting Topics All synchronous meetings held via Zoom on Wednesdays or Fridays of each week (see WEDNESDAY syllabus or FRIDAY syllabus for details). |
| Kick off meeting to orient you to the course |
Synchronous Meeting: Kick-off Meeting: Introduction, Norm-setting, Blackboard Course Orientation, and Goal-Setting |
| 1: Self-Awareness and Teaching as an Equity-Minded Instructor | Synchronous Week: Exploring Personal, Social, and Instructor Identities Through Double-Loop Learning |
| 2: Interpersonal Understanding: Becoming Authentic as an Equity-Minded Instructor | Synchronous Week: Overcoming Identity Threat through Respect, Authentic Care, and High Expectations |
| 3: Managing Community: Demonstrating Respect in the Classroom as an Equity Minded Instructor | Synchronous Week: Centering Cultural Wealth in the Learning Environment |
| 4: Closing Equity Gaps Through Alternative and Inclusive Assessment Design | Synchronous Week: Alternative Assessments and Equitable Measurements of Learning + Digital Story Circle, Part I + II |
| 5: Composing the Digital Story or Revising a Course through an Equity Minded Lens | Synchronous Meeting: Digital Story Circle, Part II + Capstone Project FAQs |
| 6: Capstone Project Showcase |
Meeting: Capstone Project Showcase |
Lead Course Facilitator: Aimee Irene Finney
Professor Aimee Irene Finney wants everyone at Austin Community College to be comfortable and confident in themselves as life-long learners with an emphasis on culturally responsive teaching. Aimee received her Master’s Degree in Communication and Leadership from Gonzaga University and a B.A. in Psychology and Communications with a secondary education certificate from Texas State University. Currently, she serves on the Adjunct Faculty Association Executive Council, as well as an Ascender Mentor. Aimee is an adjunct professor in the Communication Studies department at Austin Community College where she teaches Public Speaking and Introduction to Speech Communications. Aimee spent three years creating a specific section of Introduction to Speech Communications featuring The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley with the Great Questions Faculty Fellowship. Aimee has been teaching high school communications for 25 years and recently received her five-year pin from ACC. Aimee serves her community through her Sustaining Membership with the Junior League of Austin and Leadership Austin.
Course Developer: Dr. Lydia CdeBaca