The Mesa DEI Committee invites elementary school parents and caregivers to hear from educator Elizabeth Gonzalez in the second of a two-part series about allyship. Through experiential exercises and discussions, participants will learn about social conditioning that can get in the way of showing up as an ally. This learning experience invites participants to deepen their awareness, bravery, and capacity for showing up as an ally with compassion for themselves and others, and help frame how families can engage children in conversations about allyship.

The second session will take place on Thursday, April 10 at 6pm. This hands-on session will dive deeper into the concept of allyship through group discussions and activities. Participants will engage in real-world scenarios and role-playing exercises to explore how to address bias, encourage empathy, and create a supportive environment for all kids. This session will provide an opportunity to practice allyship skills and gain confidence in modeling and teaching them in daily interactions with children. RSVP below. 

(If you are looking for information about the first session on March 13 at 6pm — which provided participants with foundational knowledge and tools to foster inclusivity and respect within our community — the session was not recorded, but you can see slides here.) 

Elizabeth Gonzalez spent a decade-long career as an educator in K-12 public schools, including in BVSD, teaching and leading for equity. She is a professor of education and director of the Friends School Teacher Preparation Program. She leads equity and inclusion workshops for businesses, nonprofits, and schools. Elizabeth partners with Harvest of All First Nations, a local, indigenous-led nonprofit to offer community learning programs and fund community initiatives with her work.