Programs for K-12 Schools
The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities is a trusted partner for K-12 educators and middle and high students working to foster inclusive learning environments. VCIC facilitates award-winning workshops, retreats, and forums and provides expert consultation for schools across Virginia.
Programs for K-12 Educators
Consulting
Educators and administrators frequently call upon VCIC for consulting support regarding issues of diversity and inclusion. VCIC is available as a resource after incidents of bias, bullying, and discrimination, as well as to support community engagement, policy updates, and strategic diversity and inclusion planning.
Inclusive Educators Institute
The Building Inclusive Schools Summer Institute develops educational stakeholders who are passionate, committed, and prepared to lead efforts to eliminate disparities based on race, national origin, and socio-economic status in all areas of school life and academic achievement. Through interactive and engaging training followed by year-round consulting, participating educators learn about how bias and prejudice affect schools, learning, and teaching, while developing strategies for creating more supportive learning environments.
Professional Development
VCIC’s evidence-based and highly interactive professional development for educators can support full faculty or individual departments or teams. Sessions can be tailored to meet the needs of a specific school community, and can be designed as a series or a single offering. Sample topics include:
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- Creating a Sense of Belonging
- Inclusive Facilitation Skills
- Inclusive Family Engagement Practices
- Maximizing Teachable Moments
- Navigating Identities in Schools
- Trauma-Aware Schools
Programs for Middle School Students
Customized Workshops
Middle school students who participate in VCIC customized workshops build knowledge, motivation, and skills as inclusive leaders within their schools. Sessions can be tailored to meet the needs of a specific school community, and can be designed as a series or a single offering. All programs are highly interactive. Sample topics include:
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- Bullying, Name Calling, and Teasing
- Conflict Management and Leadership Skills
- Communicating Across Lines of Difference
- Creating a Sense of Belonging
- Moving from Bystander to Upstander
Prejudice Awareness Summit
The Prejudice Awareness Summit (PAS) is an intensive day-long workshop for middle school students that leads to a year of work designed to increase awareness, knowledge, and acceptance of differences. Schools send teams of students and an educator to the forum. While at the program, they develop action plans to share the program message with their school community. Click here to learn more about Prejudice Awareness Summit
Programs for High School Students
Customized Workshops
High school students who participate in VCIC customized workshops build knowledge, motivation, and skills as inclusive leaders within their schools. Sessions can be tailored to meet the needs of a specific school community, and can be designed as a series or a single offering. All programs are highly interactive. Sample topics include:
- Conflict Management and Leadership Skills
- Communicating Across Lines of Difference
- Creating a Sense of Belonging
- Inclusive Leadership Skills
- Moving from Bystander to Upstander
- Navigating Identities in Schools
Diversity Dialogue Day
Diversity Dialogue Day is a one-day forum that brings together students to explore personal experiences navigating differences and build inclusive leadership skills. Students work closely with their peers from a wide range of backgrounds. At the conclusion of the Diversity Dialogue Day, participants develop strategies for increasing awareness and promoting inclusion within their schools. Click here to learn more about Diversity Dialogue Day
Harold M. Marsh, Sr. Connections Institute
The Harold M. Marsh, Sr. Connections Institute is a process of challenge, growth, and impact for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Connections begins with a five-day residential summer program that allows student delegates to break barriers, deal with biased behavior, and gain insight into their own lives and values. At the conclusion of the program, delegates develop an action plan to reduce prejudice in their schools. As delegates return to their schools, VCIC staff are available to support the implementation process throughout the school year. Click here to learn more about the Harold M. Marsh, Sr. Connections Institute
Project Inclusion
Designed for a single school or district, Project Inclusion brings together up to 60 students and 15 educators for an intensive four-day residential experience. Participants explore issues of diversity and prejudice, gain insight into their own lives and values, and develop action plans to share their learning. Administrators have credited Project Inclusion with improving school climates, reducing incidents of bullying and violence, and building stronger connections between students and educators. Click here to learn more about Project Inclusion
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