Relationship Matters
Format
Workshop
First Presenter's Institution
Lincoln Public Schools
First Presenter’s Email Address
pfergus@lps.org
First Presenter's Brief Biography
Peter Ferguson is the Coordinator, for Youth Development in Lincoln Public Schools (Lincoln, Nebraska) and Owner of Peter Ferguson | B.H.S. He has spent nearly a quarter-century as a mission-driven, people empowerment specialist, through education, as a non-profit executive, program coordinator, and community stakeholder. Ferguson's involvements include adult and youth leadership development, inclusion, diversity, equity work, athletic enrichment, relationship building, and personal growth. His personal and professional purpose aligns with his values to empower and educate while building on the investment and contributions of those who have taken steps before him toward equity, justice, kindness, and civility. He provides consultation, keynotes, program development, and assessment. He has served on numerous boards, provided support for colleges, universities, school districts, non and for-profits, state and federal organizations across the Midwest. He is the recipient of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Chancellors Fulfilling the Dream Award; N.A.A.C.P. Community Service Award; Lincoln Journal-Star Newspaper-Top 20 Under 40; and Lincoln Public School District Dr. Leola Bullock Multicultural Award. A gas station mocha drink connoisseur Ferguson is married to his wife, Stephanie. He's the proud father of Jaden.
Location
Session Six Breakouts
Strand #1
Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership
Strand #2
Heart: Social & Emotional Skills
Relevance
As educators/engagers, we have the power to consciously and intentionally strengthen scholars' promise. Our ability or inability to establish and value relationships lend to the environments that mirror the achievements of scholars. Whether it be classrooms, afterschool programming, effective relationships promote the promise in each scholar. This includes allowing the scholar to maintain their cultural identity as well as excel in academics. Relationships add to school climate, academic resilience, and scholar empowerment.
Brief Program Description
Session Description: This discussion will address how positive relationships between providers, families, students, and community partners help build hope, resiliency, and positive outcomes. Individuals who have hope and are resilient have better life outcomes.
How can someone's race, sex, age, and other characteristics influence how we see and treat them even when we are genuinely trying to be unbiased? What concrete steps can we take to help prevent this from happening? Through a mix of short presentations, lively activities, and discussions, we will explore some harmful side effects of how our brains naturally perceive, categorize, and draw inferences about the world, including other people. We will discuss and build strategies and actionable, practical steps to take on our walk toward discomfort to reduce or eliminate it.
The session will use large group and small group activities to engage participants about relationship building and school/community resources.
Session Objective Align with Culture and Climate Outcomes
- Benefits of Strength-Based Relationships
- FOCUS - How Cultural Proficiency can facilitate building relationships
- How Assessment/Feedback can cultivate building relationships
- Examine Bias / Perspective and the role it has in relationships
Summary
Session Description: This discussion will address how positive relationships between providers, families, students, and community partners help build hope, resiliency, and positive outcomes. Individuals who have hope and are resilient have better life outcomes.
How can someone's race, sex, age, and other characteristics influence how we see and treat them even when we are genuinely trying to be unbiased? What concrete steps can we take to help prevent this from happening? Through a mix of short presentations, lively activities, and discussions, we will explore some harmful side effects of how our brains naturally perceive, categorize, and draw inferences about the world, including other people. We will discuss and build strategies and actionable, practical steps to take on our walk toward discomfort to reduce or eliminate it.
The session will use large group and small group activities to engage participants about relationship building and school/community resources.
Session Objective Align with Culture and Climate Outcomes
- Benefits of Strength-Based Relationships
- FOCUS - How Cultural Proficiency can facilitate building relationships
- How Assessment/Feedback can cultivate building relationships
- Examine Bias / Perspective and the role it has in relationships
Evidence
A version of this article appeared in the March 13, 2019 edition of Education Week as Why Teacher-Student Relationships Matter
Learning Objective 1
Further understand the benefits of Strength-Based Relationships.
Learning Objective 2
Increase their focus on how Cultural Proficiency can facilitate building relationships with marginalized and students of color.
Learning Objective 3
Increase and acknowledge bias and the role it has in relationships.
Keyword Descriptors
Relationships, Cultural Profeciency, Scholars, Students, Schools
Presentation Year
2022
Start Date
3-8-2022 1:00 PM
End Date
3-8-2022 2:15 PM
Recommended Citation
Ferguson, Peter, "Relationship Matters" (2022). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 58.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2022/2022/58
Relationship Matters
Session Six Breakouts
Session Description: This discussion will address how positive relationships between providers, families, students, and community partners help build hope, resiliency, and positive outcomes. Individuals who have hope and are resilient have better life outcomes.
How can someone's race, sex, age, and other characteristics influence how we see and treat them even when we are genuinely trying to be unbiased? What concrete steps can we take to help prevent this from happening? Through a mix of short presentations, lively activities, and discussions, we will explore some harmful side effects of how our brains naturally perceive, categorize, and draw inferences about the world, including other people. We will discuss and build strategies and actionable, practical steps to take on our walk toward discomfort to reduce or eliminate it.
The session will use large group and small group activities to engage participants about relationship building and school/community resources.
Session Objective Align with Culture and Climate Outcomes
- Benefits of Strength-Based Relationships
- FOCUS - How Cultural Proficiency can facilitate building relationships
- How Assessment/Feedback can cultivate building relationships
- Examine Bias / Perspective and the role it has in relationships
