UI's College of Education hosts panel discussion about how classroom teachers can foster discussions about race and other sensitive issues
Monday, December 8, 2014
Written by: Sara Agnew

In the wake of the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner in New York, classroom teachers are in a unique position to foster discussions among students about race, discrimination, privilege, and systemic oppression.

However, teachers often don’t have the resources and support they need to discuss these complicated and sometimes intimidating topics with students.

That’s why the University of Iowa’s College of Education is hosting a panel discussion with education experts and students designed to not only look at the broader historical and social context from which these current struggles emerge, but to also provide participants with tools, strategies, and resources to create opportunities for classroom discussions.

“Teaching Ferguson: Race, Riots and Critical Reflection for Classroom Teachers” will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 10, in the Teacher Leader Center at the UI’s College of Education, N140 Linquist Center.

Although the event is targeted toward classroom teachers, the event is free and open to the public.

Will Coghill-Behrends, director of the Teacher Leader Center at the UI’s College of Education, will moderate the panel discussion which will include the following participants:

  • Kendra Malone, Diversity Resources coordinator in the UI’s Chief Diversity Office
  • Jeanette Gabriel, a doctoral student in the UI’s Department of Teaching and Learning, and graduate assistant with the Jewish Women In Iowa Project at the Iowa Women’s Archives in the UI’s Libraries
  • Kate Kedley is a doctoral student in Language Literacy and Culture in the UI College of Education's Department of Teaching and Learning.
  • Michael Shaw, student and family advocate at Weber Elementary School in Iowa City and president of Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault’s Board of Directors
  • Fatima Elsheish, senior class president, Kennedy High School, Cedar Rapids

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, contact Coghill-Behrends in advance at 319-335-5353 or william-behrends@uiowa.edu.