Me? Biased? From Bias to Brilliance: Strength Based Approach In Education and Youth Services

Format

Workshop

First Presenter's Institution

Partnership for Children & Families

First Presenter’s Email Address

charitym@pfcf.org

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Charity, the Resilient & Teen Outreach Coordinator at Partnership for Children & Families, holds a Masters in Counseling and boasts over a decade of experience in coaching individuals and teens through various life challenges. With a background as a former teacher for the AVID program in high school, she brings extensive expertise in education and youth development to her current role. Her dedication and excellence in teaching earned her recognition as Teacher of the Year, highlighting her commitment to empowering students. Furthermore, Charity has been acknowledged as a high-quality facilitator, showcasing her ability to effectively lead and inspire others in various professional settings. Passionate about offering professional speaking engagements and conducting training opportunities, Charity strives to empower individuals to gain clarity on their goals, stretch beyond their comfort zones, and navigate transformations for greater happiness and fulfillment in life

Second Presenter's Institution

Partnership for Children & Families

Second Presenter’s Email Address

madelyns@pfcf.org

Second Presenter's Brief Biography

Madelyn Saunders is a dedicated social worker with a Bachelor of Social Work and is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work (MSW). With three years of experience working with youth, Madelyn has been an integral part of the Partnership for Children and Families, where she is also completing her internship. Her work focuses on fostering resilience and supporting youth within the community.

Third Presenter's Institution

Partnership for Children & Families

Third Presenter’s Email Address

cristala@pfcf.org

Third Presenter's Brief Biography

Cristal is Community Support Programs Manager. Cristal has extensive experience in delivering direct support services to youth and families. Her passion lies in empowering individuals through innovative programs and services. She is trained in various evidence-based curriculums and certified in NC Trauma & Resilience, focusing on racial trauma. She serves as NC Child Treatment Program (CTP) provider certified in Resource Parent Curriculum (RPC). Driven by a commitment to continuous improvement, Cristal is currently pursuing her Master’s in Youth, Family, and Community Science at North Carolina State University. As a dedicated advocate and leader, Cristal is committed to positively impacting and empowering individuals to thrive.

Fourth Presenter's Institution

Partnership for Children & Families

Fourth Presenter’s Email Address

Brittanyg@pfcf.org

Fourth Presenter's Brief Biography

Brittany is the Associate Director at Partnership For Children & Families , she has been dedicated to working with youth and families in the nonprofit sector for nearly two decades. Following the attainment of her bachelor's degree in social work, she has consistently engaged in numerous professional development initiatives to acquire additional skills and knowledge. She served on the 2023 State Health Improvement Plan’s Perinatal Equity Collective workgroup. Currently, she is enrolled in graduate school at North Carolina State University and is excited to one day become a Certified Family Life Educator!

Submitter

I am submitting this proposal as one of the presenter(s)

Location

Verelst

Strand #1

Heart: Social & Emotional Skills

Strand #2

Home: Family & Community Engagement

Relevance

Connection to "Heart: Social and Emotional Skills" The presentation, "Me? Biased? From Bias to Brilliance: Strengths-Based Approach in Education and Youth Work," directly ties into the theme of "heart" by addressing the social and emotional impact of implicit bias on students. When educators and youth workers recognize and mitigate their biases, they create environments that are emotionally safer and more inclusive. This allows students to feel seen, understood, and valued for their unique strengths. By focusing on a strengths-based approach, the presentation highlights how nurturing students' social and emotional skills can transform perceived weaknesses into sources of empowerment, thereby fostering resilience, self-confidence, and a stronger sense of belonging.

Connection to "Home: Family & Community Engagement" This presentation also aligns with the theme of "home" by emphasizing the critical role of family and community engagement in addressing implicit bias and enhancing student outcomes. A strengths-based approach encourages educators to recognize and leverage the cultural assets and knowledge that students bring from their families and communities. By fostering strong partnerships with families and engaging the broader community, educators can create a more holistic support system for students. This approach not only reinforces the positive development of youth but also builds trust and collaboration between schools, families, and communities, ultimately leading to more equitable and supportive environments for all children and youth.

Brief Program Description

In this presentation, we explore the hidden impact of implicit bias on youth and demonstrate how a strengths-based approach can transform our work with students. By shifting focus from deficiencies to strengths, we can foster resilience, inclusivity, and brilliance in every student we engage with.

Summary

In this interactive presentation, we delve into the often-overlooked impact of implicit bias on the youth we work with and explore how a strengths-based approach can revolutionize our interactions with students. Implicit biases, those unconscious assumptions and attitudes we all hold, can unknowingly shape the way we perceive and engage with students, particularly those facing unique challenges. The session begins with an engaging icebreaker designed to reveal implicit biases that may surface in our everyday work. Participants will then be guided through a discussion on the nature of implicit bias, emphasizing that these biases are universal and not a reflection of one's intentions or character. To ground this understanding in real-world scenarios, participants will examine four different student case studies, each depicting a student navigating distinct hardships. Through these scenarios, professionals will identify potential biases or assumptions they may unconsciously hold and learn how these can influence their approach to youth work.

The presentation then shifts focus to the strengths-based perspective, a transformative approach that encourages educators and youth workers to recognize and build on the inherent strengths of each student rather than focusing on their deficiencies. Participants will engage in activities that allow them to practice this approach in a supportive environment, fostering skills that can be immediately applied in their professional settings. The session concludes with a reflective exercise, empowering participants to leave with practical tools and insights to apply a strengths-based approach, ultimately fostering resilience, inclusivity, and brilliance in the youth they serve.

Evidence

Trained in Protective Factors: train the trainer. Certified Resilience & Trauma level 1 & 2. Our presentation is based on research and concepts of these trainings and certifications.

Research:

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14625-2_66

https://doi.org/10.1606/1044-3894.3900

Resources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8046159/

https://www.eurekaselect.com/article/104805

Learning Objective 1

“One challenge in using strengths based approach among families and educators is that it forces you to come face to face with your own perspectives about families”

Learning Objective 2

When you identify your implicit biases, it changes the way you interact with the populations you work with

Learning Objective 3

Identify, protective factors, health, well being of youth and effectiveness of services, positive youth development, taking off your lenses,

Keyword Descriptors

Implicit Bias, Strengths-Based Approach, Youth Work, Inclusivity, Resilience, Student Empowerment, Educator Training, Cultural Competence, Reflective Practice, Professional Development

Presentation Year

2025

Start Date

3-3-2025 2:45 PM

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Mar 3rd, 2:45 PM

Me? Biased? From Bias to Brilliance: Strength Based Approach In Education and Youth Services

Verelst

In this presentation, we explore the hidden impact of implicit bias on youth and demonstrate how a strengths-based approach can transform our work with students. By shifting focus from deficiencies to strengths, we can foster resilience, inclusivity, and brilliance in every student we engage with.