View
216
Download
0
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
8/6/2019 Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees
1/19
Diversity: Global Context
at aLocal School
Rebecca Curtis, MA
Univ. of North Carolina Greensboro
Cathryne L. Schmitz, Ph.D., MSW
Conflict and Peace Studies
Univ. of North Carolina Greensboro
8/6/2019 Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees
2/19
Community Engagement
Resources: Research, Consultation, &
Training
Creating Interdisciplinary LearningEnvironments
Community Action ProjectsInterdisciplinary Creativity
Global Environment Practice, Development, & Research
8/6/2019 Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees
3/19
Building Relationship
Consultation & Training Research Interdisciplinary Practice Teams Class Project: Evaluation Organizational Diversity Related Issues
8/6/2019 Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees
4/19
Diversity
Diversity in the U.S. has beenincreasing over the last decade.
There are more minority births thanever before (El Nasser, 2010).
The U.S. is not only a country ofcomplex diversity but also employspeople from all over the world.
8/6/2019 Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees
5/19
8/6/2019 Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees
6/19
Why is it important?
Because the market is not stagnant,organizations cannot afford to be
either Competitive organizations are
adaptive ones, which practice
inclusion in all areas People have different strengths and
when combined can make an even
stronger team
8/6/2019 Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees
7/19
8/6/2019 Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees
8/19
An example
Local school serves a unique and diversepopulation
Local leadership at work Inclusive practices People open and willing to share
8/6/2019 Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees
9/19
Local Leadership
Investigated through interviews Interviewed principal, art teacher,
gym teacher, guidance counselor,
secretary/interpreter, and social
worker
Looked at trends in answers
8/6/2019 Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees
10/19
Interview Questions
What word do you use to describe diversity in yourorganization and how do you define it?
Do you feel there is diversity among staff? Do you talk aboutit?
Do you feel having diversity enriches the environment? What are some of the challenges diversity brings among staff? Do you feel the school is setup to facilitate discussions and
allow for diversity?
Is there staff support for diversity? What are some of the challenges diversity brings to the
classroom? How does the organization deal with the language diversity
among students and staff?
What strategies do you feel are working? What improvements can be made?
8/6/2019 Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees
11/19
Whats working?
Interpreters make it possible! We have a wonderful principal. He sets
the tone for the organization Openness at all levels of the organization Teachers and staff were asked to join the
team
Diversity reflected in the staff Principal values employees feedback and
expertise on topics
8/6/2019 Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees
12/19
What can we learn?
It is necessary for people to be heard.People enjoy working in a place where
they matter. Everyone is diverse. We need to
determine what to focus on. Leadership
models can help
Diversity includes learning styles,presenting styles, and much more than
looks. It includes experiences
People know when they are appreciated
8/6/2019 Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees
13/19
Where to go from here?
Let people know they matter throughpolicy and daily interactions
If you run an organization like an island orcontrol freak, you will not be sustainable Sometimes it pays to listen you may
learn something you didnt know
We need to come together to find theanswers
8/6/2019 Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees
14/19
An inclusive model
8/6/2019 Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees
15/19
Personal & Professional
Needs Accommodations for diverse learning and
teaching styles
Flexible holiday schedules Empowering people to share their ideas
and concerns so they feel a vital part of
the organization (Tropman, 1998)
8/6/2019 Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees
16/19
Physical Environment
Office space needs to be considered Placement of the leaders office Communal areas such as break rooms
and large rooms should be stocked to
welcome and accommodate the needs of
all employees
Private space for personal needs such asnursing or religious considerations
8/6/2019 Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees
17/19
Cultural Considerations
Support for cultural dress and hairstyle Accommodation for ableness, gender,
age, and mindfulness of the holidayscelebrated at the office (Kivel & Wells,
1998; Howard, 1998)
Allowing flexible schedules toaccommodate religious and personalneeds is key
8/6/2019 Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees
18/19
Summary
Local model of leadership can be applied tomany other organizations
Personal accounts of successes People need a chance to share their strengths People need opportunities to collaborate People need opportunities to educate
themselves and others Combined we are stronger and more well-
rounded
8/6/2019 Cross-Cultural Conflict Transformation at a Local School for Immigrants and Refugees
19/19
References
El Nasser, H. (2010, June 22). Minority births drive growth in U.S. diversity[Electronic version]. USA Today. Retrieved fromhttp://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/2010-06-10-census-minorities_N.htm
Howard, D. (1998). Organizational and social barriers confronting peoplewith disabilities in the workplace. In A. Daly (Ed.), Work Place Diversity:
Issues & Perspectives (pp. 56-60). DC: NASW Press. Kivel, B.D. & Wells, J.W. (1998). Working it out: What managers should
know about gay men, lesbians, and bisexual people and their employmentissues. In A. Daly (Ed.), Work Place Diversity: Issues & Perspectives (pp.103-115). DC: NASW Press.
Kouzes, J.M. & Posner, B. Z. (2007). The Leadership Challenge. CA:Jossey Bass.
Tropman, J.E. (1998). Social issues, social policy, and workplace diversity.In A. Daly (Ed.), Work Place Diversity: Issues & Perspectives (pp. 88-102).DC: NASW Press.
The Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research. (2004).Human Needs, Humanitarian Intervention, Human Security and the War inIraq by Johan Galtung. Retrieved May 5, 2010 fromhttp://www.transnational.org/SAJT/forum/meet/2004/Galtung_HumanNeeds.html
Recommended