HARNEY COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT #3

Keynote WorkshopCourageous Listening: Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading for Equitable Outcomes

August, 2014

• Find a partner and introduce yourself (by name, place and role)

• If you really knew me, you would know…

Who’s in the House?

Here’s what we are going for . . . • Engaging in “equity” conversations that feel productive and safe

• Examine insights into neuroscience research in order to better catalyze change

• Understand the concept of listening as a leadership and teaching strategy

Cell #510-967-4705

Text questions or comments during the session

Jamie Almanzán

The Problem to SolveThe National Equity Project

To achieve educational equity for vulnerable children, there is a need to close the

Opportunity Gapnot just its manifestation...the Achievement Gap. 

What Gets in the WayThe National Equity Project

There’s a gap between our intention for a quality education for every child, 

and the actions we take and conditions we provide,

that prevent students from succeeding to their full potential.

WHAT DOESEQUITY

MEAN TO YOU?

Share with someone near you –when you talk about educational 

equity, what do you mean?

Working Towards Equity Means…

Removing the predictability of success and failure that currently correlates with any social or cultural factor

Interrupting inequitable practices, challenging biases, and creating inclusive school environments for all, and

Working Towards Equity Means…

Discovering and cultivating the unique gifts, talents and interests that every human possesses.

Working Towards Equity Means…

The Practice of Listening

80% of awake time is spent communicating

We spend 45% of awake time listening

75% of the words are ignored, misunderstood, or forgotten

Most People Listen Actively for17 Seconds!

About Listening . . .

Active PassiveInformationalConversationalArgumentativeInattentivePretend

Types of Listening

Listening as a StrategyListening can…

• Create space for people to share their experiences

• Build relationships across differences

• Support change through interactions with people

Why should I listen to you?

Create space for people to share their experiences and thinking

The brain “remembers” through emotion

Memory, Emotions, and the Amygdala

The amygdala interacts with memory‐related brain regions to determine whatmemories are stored and where they are stored.

Why should I listen to you?

Build relationships across differences

The brain seeks to connect with others

The Power of Community“If you want to change a habit, you must find an alternative routine, and your odds of success go up dramatically when you commit to changing as part of a group.” Charles Duhigg, The Power of Habit: Why 

We Do What We Do in Life and Business

Support change through interactions with people

The brain uses patterns or “habits” to make meaning. 

“Bad Habits” don’t really change.

“Good Habits” or new neural pathways must be created.

Why should I listen to you?

Charles Duhigg, The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business

To conserve energy so that it has maximum resources to scan for threats, the brain reduces most physical and social routines into habits. 

The Power of Habit

Habits are carried out at a subconscious level.  

• Listen impeccably (90% Listening and 10% Talking)

• Use silence (Wait the extra beat. Resist the urge to fill the silence.)

• Support the talker to solve her/his own problem (Need more clarity…, Literally say, “Say More”)

• Seek to understand (Reflect back what you heard. Try not to interpret.)

People who use listening to effect change:

People have the capacity to solve their own problems

Listening as Healing“Listening is such a simple act. Just be present and practice. We don't have to advise, or coach, or sound wise…If we can do that, we create moments in which real healing is available.” ~ Margaret Wheatley