Free BCTF workshops about antiracism

The following workshops are free professional development opportunities for teachers and schools. It is recommended that schools book these workshops two to three weeks in advance of the anticipated date on which they will occur. All workshops are three hours in length.

To request these or other Social Justice workshops for a school-based, local, or regional professional development day, or a School Union Representative Training (SURT) day, please click on the “Book this Workshop” link below the workshop description on the BCTF Social Justice Workshops page.

Assertive Communication

(3 hours)

This workshop teaches the key principles of communication by exploring the differences between passive, aggressive, and assertive communication styles. Participants will develop skills through a variety of exercises, role play and practice, in order to effectively communicate in their classroom, schools, union work, or personal lives.

Bafa Bafa (secondary)/Rafa Rafa (elementary)

(3 hours)

(Cross-cultural simulation game)
Participants experience what it is like to live and cope in another culture. After the simulation, presenters will facilitate a discussion with the participants on what assumptions or perceptions they made, and the behaviour they witnessed about one another’s culture. Analysis of common ground and barriers between cultures will be explored. Other similar games and classroom activities will be provided in a handout package.

Incorporating Antiracist Strategies into BC's Revised Curriculum

(3 hours to full day)

This workshop looks at privilege in society and how the legacy of our colonial past has shaped our present.  It provides some youth perspectives on racism in schools, and explores strategies to recognize and eliminate racism in society, classrooms, schools, and community.

Responding to Racism in the Workplace and the Classroom

(3 hours)

This skills-based Antidiscrimination Response Training workshop is a powerful, practical way to promote awareness, and empathy, and to develop the skills to effectively respond to discriminatory remarks and incidents of racism, sexist, and homophobia in the classroom and the workplace.

Strategies for Discussing Controversial Issues

(3 hours)

Discussing controversial issues with students is an important part of social justice, the inquiry process, and building the skills for students to become active, engaged and critically-minded democratic citizens. This workshop provides practical classroom strategies to discuss controversial issues in a respectful manner.