Foundations of  Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

This half-day course is designed as a foundational DEI course for leaders to understand concepts of power, privilege and intersectionality, and how they impact the workplace. Upon completion of the course, you will develop a deeper understanding of implicit biases and their impacts in the workplace. This course will allow you to gain tools to mitigate the negative effects of unconscious biases in the workplace and to further understand how unconscious bias is part of larger DEI organizational work.

Activities include:

• Decolonizing our bios
• The wheel of power and privilege
• Unpacking your invisible backpack
• Macroaggressions: Themes and messages
• The “Problem” Woman of Colour in the workplace
• The “Norm” of white dominant culture and something different worksheet

Upcoming Workshops

Registration

Space is limited, so please register early to avoid disappointment.  Please note, should there be insufficient enrollment to meet minimum requirements for a session, the workshop will be cancelled and registration fees will be refunded. An email notification will be sent to registrants if the workshop is cancelled.

December 7, 2023 – Register Now

April 4, 2024 – Register Now

Instructors

Sonia Lachar, Executive Director, BCPSEA

Sonia Lachar (she/her) is an Executive Director, Labour Relations with the BC Public School Employers’ Association. She has 20 years experience in labour and employee relations in the public sector. Sonia’s parents immigrated to Canada and she is proud to be born and raised in the ancestral, traditional Ts’msyen Territories and identifies as a cis-gender person. She is a visible majority, has lived experience as a racialized person and English is her second language. She values education and holds a Master of Industrial Relations from Queen’s University, a Bachelor of Business Administration, Human Resources Certificate, Executive Coaching Certificate, CPHR (Chartered Professional in Human Resources) designation and is completing her Equity, Diversity and Inclusion certificate at UBC. She is also a sessional instructor at SFU and teaches Labour Relations. Most importantly, she is a mom to four children who are racialized and strives to create a better future for her children by promoting the importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion through her passion, experience and leadership on the topic.

Beth Applewhite, District Principal, SD 41 (Burnaby)

Beth Applewhite is the District Principal of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion with the Burnaby School District. She is a bi-racial Black educator of Trinidadian and Scottish heritages. Her career spans 26 years, with 10 years as a school-based administrator in Surrey and Coquitlam. She earned a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia and completed her Master of Education at Simon Fraser University. Beth has walked alongside others to support the development of a Burnaby School District engagement process that provided meaningful, brave and culturally sensitive opportunities for students, staff, families and community partners to engage in consultation and dialogue. Beth calls folks in and holds space for them to engage, learn, unlearn, and grow. She has much experience sharing valuable contributions and perspectives at both District and Provincial tables. Her professional development work with Staffs, School Administrators, District Leaders and Trustees has helped guide Equity work in British Columbia.

Questions

If you have any questions concerning these learning opportunities, please contact Donna Verones by e-mail at donnav@bcpsea.bc.ca or by phone at 604.730.4501.

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