Final Countdown: We are OTW to ACPA!

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Showcasing Innovations in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training Tools!

Who is KinectED?

Kinect provides subject matter expertise in the areas of diversity, inclusion and organizational change. Our history includes a successful portfolio working with educational systems to improve equity and cultural competency of students, faculty and staff. Our facilitators. work alongside educators, administrators, and senior leaders from across the nation to evaluate policies, practices, and procedures that impede upon an organizations ability to create a welcoming and inclusive environment. Using products like The EquityRubric ™, we employ a unique approach to support organizational discovery of systems that create a disparate impact for historically marginalized communities.

Home of the Experts

We provide customized training solutions to solve even the most complex and unique problems of any organization. Reach out and an expert will be ready to help you take the next step!

What's In Store?

We are bringing a one of a kind equity exhibiting experience to #ACPA20! Featuring a unique assortment of our best selling training and capacity building tools, we don't expect you to take our word for it.

Stop by Booth 503 for FREE giveaways, exclusive bundle deals and discounts only valid during ACPA!

Premium VIP Badges

Think back to your last VIP concert experience. If you've never attended a concert VIP, use your imagination. In this context, a Customized event and VIP lanyard provides identification for concert goers and staff alike to signify an important person is in attendance.

Our premium VIP badges feature positive affirmations for students success and serve as a passive education campaign that goes with you throughout the day.

Passive Education VIP Badges dispel stereotypes and microaggressions, send messages to students that you want them to succeed and are someone that they can trust.

Available Designs include:

1. But First, Equal Pay. 2. Be Proud of WHO you ARE. 3. CHOOSE INCLUSION.

4. Microaggressions do more than just offend. 5. BE THE CHANGE.

We have a limited number of badges available for on a first-come, first serve basis.

Passive Education VIP Badges can be purchased at Booth 503 during ACPA while supplies last.

Training Decks:

Use our training decks to begin the conversation about diversity and inclusion. We offer student and faculty/staff decks that will help you dive into discussion about bias, micro aggressions, gender equity, identity, power and privilege and more.

Our Best Sellers!

Greek Life Inclusion Deck

Change the way that your Greek System looks at diversity and inclusion with this mind-blowing dialogue deck that will spark discussion like you've never seen before. Your Greek students will gain a fresh perspective on what it means to be Greek and how they can be more open minded in the recruitment process. You'll also build a strong unity among the brothers and sisters of your Greek system as you help them consider what it means to be a leader and to be a part of a lifelong organization.

1st Generation Student Dialogue Deck

Encourage peer-to-peer conversation and introspective discussion with this new line of Culturally Inclusive Conversation Starters! This student-centered dialogue deck provides you with the foundation for a welcoming and inclusive learning environment. Each deck will challenge students to think about their role in creating a positive culture and provide a unique insight into who your students are and what makes their education meaningful for them!

But First, EQUAL PAY. Gender Equity Training Deck

Open the conversation about equity and inclusion with our Gender Equity Deck. Each card includes a different question that will prompt introspective thinking about gender equity. Use the deck as a team-builder, educational exercise at a meeting or turn it into an opportunity to educate your team.

Browse before you buy!

Is your staff ready to handle bias incidents at a moment's notice?

Use UNRAVELING BIAS: A Progressive Case Study Book for Higher Ed Leaders and Practitioners to spark introspective thinking and craft a broader understanding of potential incidents that may impact a welcoming and inclusive learning environment.

Complete with a facilitation guide, you can use each of the 12 case studies as an individual training session!You won't believe the impact of walking your staff through the best way to respond and manage common bias incidents that occur in an educational setting.

Cases cover topics like: Religion, race, immigration, sexism and more. You'll even get tips and "how to" information about how you can build an inclusive, unbiased, learning environment.

Special ACPA Exhibit Pricing with bundle deals!

No Purchasing Card? No Problem! Shop Kinect Ed with QUAD PAY!

INTRODUCING QUADPAY

Kinect Ed + QUADPAY Shop Now. Pay Later. Split your purchase into 4 payments with QuadPay! 1 Choose QuadPay as your payment method at checkout for orders over $55. No long forms or credit checks required, just instant approval. 2 Checkout using a credit or debit card. The first 25% of your order total is charged at the time of purchase. 3 Pay the rest in equal installments billed automatically over 6 weeks. There are no late fees if paid on time! FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is QuadPay? QuadPay is an installment payment platform that lets you pay for your purchase using a credit or debit card. QuadPay automatically splits the purchase amount into 4 payments, every two weeks. QuadPay empowers our Educators to buy now and pay over time! Why are we offering this service? You asked for solutions to make training tools more affordable. Many of our educators, have to spend their own funds to cover classroom or professional development tools.  By using QuadPay you have the opportunity to split your purchase into four (4) easy installments and pay for your order over time, instead of all-at-once. What Information Does QuadPay Request? QuadPay will ask for your name, address, date of birth, a US mobile number, and a US debit or credit card for sign up. Additionally, QuadPay requires a mobile phone number and text message verification to get started instead of having a traditional username and password. How much can I spend with Quad Pay? Each transaction is assessed before it is approved and QuadPay does not approve every order.

QuadPay considers a variety of factors to determine approvals and spend limits. If you are a repeat purchaser and have made all your repayments in time, you’ll likely receive a higher limit than someone who is a new customer.

Signing up is easy! For the initial sign up, QuadPay will ask for your date of birth, a US mobile number and a US debit or credit card. Once you’ve entered your information, you'll know if you are approved instantly!

50 Additional Educators Complete Bias Response Certification!

This week, 50 Educators from across the state of Minnesota joined a unique class of educators, trained in Bias Response techniques for K-12 learning environments. Nearly half of those educators were from a single district; ISD 194 Lakeville Area Schools!

Since the launch of this NEW Bias Response Training Program from Kinect Education Group, more than 150 K12 Educators have completed Unraveling Bias: A Bias Response Certification for K12 Educators, Administrators and Leaders.

This customized learning experience, provides a unique opportunity for educators to practice scenarios of bias with other educators from across the region. Understanding how to manage racially charged situations is the best defense against large-scale problems, however many educators across the nation don't have the opportunity to receive bias response training before it's too late.

During the 3-hour training, educators explore real-world examples of bias incidents in schools and learn strategies that they can implement to ensure a welcoming and inclusive learning environment not just for some students, but ALL students. Many educators who attend the training, takeaway the importance of being a human first, and an educator second and appreciate the authentic opportunity to learn with colleagues and peers from across the region.

Teaching and Learning is a Two-Way Street

One of the central themes of discussion throughout the training experience, is the idea that teaching and learning, are not meant to be siloed actions. Teaching, much like learning, is a two-way street; a reciprocal exchange whereby educators and students have the unique opportunity to learn something new from each other, each and every day. Just as teachers set out to teach, students set out to learn. Using an equity lens to explore ways to build reciprocal relationships with students, is the cornerstone to creating a successful learning environment, where all students, rather than a just select few, have the opportunity to thrive inside and outside of the classroom.

Bias Incident or Hate Crime

According to the Department of Justice, a hate crime is defined as a "crime motivated by bias against race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability,".

Here are some things to consider:

A bias incident is not a crime. If a law has been broken and/or a crime has been committed during an act that was motivated by bias or prejudice, this would still be considered a crime. While you are able to use your best judgement or rely upon institutional policy regarding the formal referral to the justice system, consistency is key. A bias incident is an act that is motivated by bias or prejudice but does not involve violence, threats, or damage to property. A bias incident is not always visible. They are acts that are sometimes heard or overheard but not always seen. They can sometimes even take place without both parties being in the same physical location (i.e social media, internet).

Top 5 Types of Bias Incidents

1. Race/Ethnicity/Ancestry/Bias- 59.6%

2. Religion- 18.7

3. Sexual Orientation- 16.7%

4. Gender Identity- 2.2%

5. Disability- 2.1%

Though the majority of hate crimes occur in residential communities near homes (25%), 9.2% of all reported hate crimes are committed at schools, colleges or universities. A vast majority of bias incidents (53.6%) are committed by White Americans, however members of protected class groups can also commit bias incidents and/or hate crimes. While it is true that most hate crimes are committed by people over the age of 18, hate crimes may also occur any time, by people of any age and in any setting or location.

Sadly, there is no control variable. Therefore, practitioners must possess the capacity to differentiate between the two and have the ability to intervene and manage situations that impede the institutions ability to provide a welcoming and inclusive learning environment for all!

Did you Know? Every educator who attends receives a FREE copy of Unraveling Bias: A Progressive Case Study Book for K12 Educators.

Register today for a future training near you!

Next Up:

March 2020

• Nashville, TN

• Duluth, MN

• Rochester, MN

• Mankato, MN

Shop training tools!

LEVERAGE PRIVILEGE! Check out a video all about Privilege.

Two Minnesota Educators, Mother and Son, Making a Difference!

Each month, Kinect solicits and collects nominations from educators, for educators from across the nation.

This month, we are proud to honor two educators, a mother and son, Valarie McWilliams- Jones (279) and Keenan Jones (287), who are making a difference, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Valarie McWilliams-Jones (279) has been an educator in Minnesota for more than 20 years. Serving in various roles and now as a Special Education Teacher at Park Center High School, she believes that every student has a hidden talent. Aspiring to one day put her Principal's Licensure to use in an administrative role, McWilliams-Jones finds passion in her work directly with students in the classroom; a value she passed onto her son, Keenan Jones.

Keenan (287), a North Junior High language and literature teacher, was recently rewarded the title of District Life Changer for Hopkins School District. Once when asked why he chose a career in education, responded, “there is no profession in the world, that has a greater impact on youth than education. For 6-7 hours a day, we can use our influence to support youth in their discovery of social justice, critical thinking, intercultural communication, and most importantly provide context for what it means to be a good citizen.”

Both have recently accepted opportunities to expand their impact beyond the classroom. Valarie McWilliams-Jones (279) was recently accepted into the Minnesota Educator’s Academy Anti-Racism Program; FIRE. FIRE stands for Facing Inequities and Racism in Education. This program seeks to inspire educators from across the state to use their voice to advocate for racial justice.

Jones (287) was recently appointed to serve as a member of the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Council for the State of Minnesota. This appointment is made by Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Penny Flanagan.

For nominators, these two, resemble the spirit of the late Rita Pierson, a 40-year educator, who published one of the most viewed TED talks.

Pierson once shared, “teaching and learning should bring joy. How powerful would our world be if we had kids who were not afraid to take risks, who were not afraid to think, and who had a champion? Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.”

Please join us in congratulating these two as our Top Notch Tuesday educators this month!

Each month, we select an educator for out Top Notch Tuesday Award.

Nominate an Equity Champion for this award and if selected, you'll both get a special training tool kit!

Kinect Education Group is a national organization that provides equity, inclusion and diversity training, climate studies and training tools for educational, corporate and non-profit organizations. This prestigious award is given monthly to recognize outstanding educators working on equity and inclusion.