Equity-Centered Professional Learning

Developed by Dr. Rebecca Pianta & Derek Francis in collaboration with Hatching Results

Equity-Centered Professional Learning is for educators and organizations committed to proactively growing their multicultural knowledge, skills, and habits to create a more inclusive school environment. The overarching outcome of this professional learning series is for educators to gain a better awareness of blind spots in their personal and cultural knowledge so that they may better support all students, with a particular focus on those from underrepresented populations.

This professional learning series is designed as an inside-out approach. Participants first reflect on themselves and how they came to be. They explore their values, bias, privilege, and how they are “showing up” as an educator. The professional learning then shifts to reshaping practices, structure, and systems to put into motion a program action plan dedicated to better understanding the perspective and meeting the needs of students from diverse populations.

Partnership Deliverables

Deliverables are provided based on the services selected in the finalized contract agreement and may include: 

  • An agreed-upon number of in-person or virtual workshops, with one or more professional learning specialists

  • Pre-training planning with leadership

  • Session agendas/materials suitable for either in-person or virtual learning (can be printed by district if desired)

  • Pre/Post Self-assessment 

  • Recommended extension learning and activities

  • Session evaluations and follow-up reports

  • Shared Google folder with resources and samples

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Equity-Centered Professional Learning Series, participants will be able to:

  • Actively monitor and transform their mindsets to lead equity work in schools

  • Develop plans for narrowing and closing opportunity, engagement, and educational gaps between and among student groups

  • Work towards eliminating disproportionate outcomes for underserved students

  • Contribute to building district capacity to support systemic change

  • Embed cultural competence into their practices and schoolwide systems, processes, and procedures

  • Increase students' and families' engagement and sense of belonging in the school community.

Sample Professional Learning Schedule

This series can be delivered either in-person or virtually (or a hybrid of both) across four days. Our professional learning specialists co-construct all professional learning plans and agendas with district leadership to ensure that the content is highly tailored to local needs, current events, and other important contexts.

The schedule below is just a sample. We also strongly support and encourage building administrators and district leaders attending every workshop. We find that this supports the development of shared attitudes, knowledge, and skills critical to equity-centered implementation in schools.

Phase 1: Inside-Out Approach - Examining Self and Organization

 

Phase 2: Data Exploration, Action Planning, and Implementation

Consultation to Support Implementation

Successful implementation of an equity-centered, comprehensive school counseling program requires ongoing consultation and technical assistance. Our team includes professional learning specialists trained in equity and cultural proficiency and who are also experienced in assisting school counselors, administrators, and district leaders in proactively creating an equity-centered culture and climate, improving their systems and practices, and responding to racially-charged incidents. For example, districts may wish to have a thought partner to determine strategies for responding to major race incidents, social media incidents, staff equity issues, and/or school counseling program planning, among others.

We look forward to working with you and supporting your efforts to integrate equity-centered school counseling into your comprehensive school counseling programs in your schools. We are confident that we can meet the challenges ahead, and stand ready to partner with you in delivering effective professional learning and consultation.

Contact Us to Learn More

Highlights from Participants

  • “I liked all of the resources we were given and how we can be more inclusive in our practice.”

  • “Every day was different and helped me self examine and grow.”

  • “The best part was looking at data and putting it into action plans to make a difference and to continue doing work to identify and reflect on my own biases so I can make growth.”

  • “I enjoyed the small group [time] and having discussions to understand other people's point of view.”

Professional Learning Series Developers

Dr. Rebecca Pianta is a champion for equity and a passionate advocate for the school counseling profession. With nearly 20 years of experience in education, she has served as a school counselor at all levels, district lead counselor, administrator, and adjunct professor. As the Coordinator of Counseling and Student Support in her former district, Dr. Pianta oversaw the district-wide comprehensive school counseling program and led the development of the District Cultural Proficiency Strategic Plan. Due to her diligent leadership, twelve schools earned the Recognized American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Model Program (RAMP) designation. In 2019, she was recognized as the California and Orange County Counselor Advocate of the Year.

Currently, Dr. Pianta is the Coordinator of College and Career Readiness, where she supports nearly 200 school counselors in implementing culturally sustaining comprehensive school counseling programs. She is also a senior consultant for Hatching Results. Dr. Pianta has served on the Board of Directors for ASCA and the California Association of School Counselors, as well as being a Lead RAMP Reviewer. With a heart for service, Dr. Pianta serves on the California Association of School Administrators (ACSA) Equity and Diversity Committee and as President of Programs for ACSA Region 17.

Derek Francis is the Culturally Responsive Instructional Leadership Lead for COMPASS Minnesota Department of Education and a Professional Learning Specialist for Hatching Results. Derek specializes in helping educators grow in their skillset of discussing race and identity. Following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, Derek began leading a virtual series titled Proactive School Counseling After a Major Racial Incident, which has been viewed by over 50,000 educators. He also helped launch MPS Neighborhood, a YouTube Channel for students, staff, and families to learn strategies for building an inclusive community.

Derek has delivered over 30 keynote presentations and sessions at school counselors conferences including the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) and American Counseling Association. Some of Derek’s published work includes contributing chapters to Antiracist School Counseling In Schools and the Communities by Dr. Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy.