Equity Chop It Up Scholars • “When people stop being polite…and start getting real!”

Format

Workshop

First Presenter's Institution

Peter Ferguson, BHS, LLC.

First Presenter’s Email Address

peterfergusonbhs@gmail.com

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Peter Ferguson is a highly respected and recognized professional with over 25 years of experience in relationship building. He is the owner and Chief Belief Officer of Peter Ferguson B.H.S., L.L.C. and serves as the Coordinator of Culture, Inclusion, and Scholar Development at Lincoln Public Schools in Nebraska. Peter is a firm believer in the value of relationships and lives by his mantra, "relationships matter." He is committed to empowering, educating, and engaging others to embrace their purpose intentionally to expand organizational leadership, inclusion, access, advocacy, belonging, engagement, and education for the common good. Peter has diverse experience across various sectors, including early childhood, elementary, medical, the University of Nebraska Police Department, Kansas Children’s Service League, high school, college, universities, and both non-profit and for-profit businesses. He is a sought-after speaker and has been recognized for his contributions to the community with multiple awards, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Diversity Community Impact Award and the Lincoln Journal Star's recognition as one of Lincoln, Nebraska's 30 Most Influential Men. Peter's work has been featured in the Heartland Emmy-nominated Lincoln Public Schools Documentary "We Will Not Be Silent," and he is the host of "Bigger Than the Score" on 93.7 The Ticket K.N.T.K., where he elevates diverse voices weekly, promoting positive action on and off the field/court of play. Peter Ferguson is passionate about advocating for and elevating marginalized voices and is often involved in Alzheimer's advocacy and served on the Lincoln/Lancaster Community Health Agencies Drive (CHAD). Additionally, for 26 years, he has led the Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Rally. In his free time, Peter enjoys indulging in gas station mocha drinks.

Second Presenter's Institution

Scholar High School (Yet to be determined)

Third Presenter's Institution

Scholar Middle (Yet to be determined)

Fourth Presenter's Institution

Scholar (Elementary) Yet to be determined

Strand #1

Heart: Social & Emotional Skills

Strand #2

Home: Family & Community Engagement

Relevance

The proposed session is directly applicable to the following stand objectives. It addresses the prioritization and impact of choice and engagement of scholars in their educational journey. The format and take-withs for participants will enhance their ability to promote student empowerment including inspiring possibilities, tapping into students' interests, and elevation of voice.

  • Student empowerment and leadership skills
  • Adult-youth partnerships
  • Community programs, partnerships, or service projects
  • Business collaborations or university partnerships

Brief Program Description

In this workshop, participants will engage in a re-envisioned interactive format with scholars on equity and valuable insight into the challenges we find ourselves in. Peter Ferguson will guide attendees through an intergenerational engagement, elevating scholars' voices in real dialogue around equity, civility, justice, and kindness and their connection to teaching/learning initiatives.

Summary

You'll not want to miss this session, as MTV's Real-World stated in its iconic opening, "…to find out what happens … when people stop being polite … and start getting real."

Chop-It-Up guides attendees through reflective equity prompts for small and large group "real" dialogue with scholars." As a result, participants will leave with a broadened perspective and tools to contribute to equitable outcomes. Attendees come prepared. • To break down the barriers to equity • Learn from scholars' DEIB expertise, passions, and experiences. • To move toward intentional action for inclusive excellence and belonging.

In education today, "student voice" has become a distinct buzz phrase. However, it's not just about verbal expression; it's all about listening to what students have to say. Chop-It-Up Elevating Scholars' Voice Roundtables are designed to create an inclusive and belonging community by engaging attendees in meaningful conversations and actions around diversity, equity, and inclusion. This unique intergenerational diversity, equity, and inclusion engagement format has been proven to immerse attendees in authentic discussions and actions around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, with a charge to commit to action beyond the session.

Ferguson will use a combination of in-person and virtual scholar attendees to enlist a diverse collection of scholars, including members of the Equity Cadre of the Lincoln Public Schools District (Lincoln, Nebraska) and Planning Committee members of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Rally who provide an equity lens to district and community policies and strategies that impact diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Attendees will engage and gather insight and process to take this educational format back to their respective communities, enhancing their opportunities and outcomes for scholars of color.

Chop-It-Up represents an experiential opportunity for attendees to support further, learn, and lean into necessary brave conversations about building community, embracing difference, and becoming engaged — all while being introduced to different backgrounds enhancing inclusion and belonging that align with three common objectives: (1) to promote positive racial and cultural self-identity, and (2) to increase awareness of the importance of respectful dialogue.

Evidence

The Nebraska Department of Education's Opening Session Administrator Days in Kearney featured a panel of scholars sharing their educational experiences with a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion. Similarly, at the Supporting Positive Behavior Conference in Lincoln (2021-2023), scholars were featured on a panel, providing insights on supporting and educating using tangible and measurable methods that address equity, inclusion, and diversity at personal, building, and district levels. Microaggressions, intersectionality, ableism, and LGBTQ+ were among the specific topics discussed. Lastly, the "Creating the Scholarly Experience" session aimed to facilitate reflection and explore takeaways to transition a systemic framework into a concrete, equitable future. This session was delivered to district staff, administration, and colleges, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Doane University.

Learning Objective 1

• Learn from scholars' DEIB expertise, passions, and experiences.

Learning Objective 2

To move toward intentional action for inclusive excellence and belonging.

Learning Objective 3

To break down the barriers to equity.

Keyword Descriptors

Scholars, Students, Educators, Youth Development, Student Voice, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, Leadership

Presentation Year

2024

Start Date

3-4-2024 9:45 AM

End Date

3-4-2024 10:15 AM

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Mar 4th, 9:45 AM Mar 4th, 10:15 AM

Equity Chop It Up Scholars • “When people stop being polite…and start getting real!”

In this workshop, participants will engage in a re-envisioned interactive format with scholars on equity and valuable insight into the challenges we find ourselves in. Peter Ferguson will guide attendees through an intergenerational engagement, elevating scholars' voices in real dialogue around equity, civility, justice, and kindness and their connection to teaching/learning initiatives.