*How it works:
– Groups of 25 educators form to participate in Professional Development.
– The groups meet for 15 hours, typically 5 sessions of 3 hours each.
– Ideally, training sessions alternate with implementations by the trainees.
Training Session #1 establishes the Pre-Texts protocol:
– A volunteer reads aloud the text chosen by the facilitator.
– All ask questions of the text, post them anonymously and respond to one.
– Facilitator proposes and supports art making to interpret the text.
– In a circle, all reflect on the interpretive process, asking “What did we do?”
– Facilitator prompts all to “go off on a tangent” and post it for next session.
Training Sessions #2, #3, #4, #5 repeat the protocol with a different trainee each time. This way, 4 new facilitators model the appropriation of Pre-Texts.
*For Trainers:
Step 1.
Announce new workshops
Report after each of the 5 sessions
Step 2.
Administer age appropriate Mental Health Survey (below) 4 times
– At the beginning of Session #1
– At the beginning of Session #3
– At the end of session #5
– 30 days or more after the training
Surveys
– For children [Eng, esp]
– For youth [Eng, esp.]
– For adults: [Digital: Eng, esp. Printable: Eng, It, esp.]
Step 3.
Collect completed files from participants who seek Certification
– Evaluate samples of 30 hours of Implementation Reports by trainees.
– Recommend additions of narrative, or audiovisual materials.
– Offer feedback when possible to improve implementation.
– Notify Cultural Agents to issue Certificates for those who complete requirements.
*For Trainees Toward Certification:
Step 1.
Participate in the 5 sessions, 15 hours, of training to build capacity.
Step 2.
Take part in surveys administered by the Trainer.
Administer age appropriate Mental Health Survey 4 times (see above) to target groups.
– At the beginning of the school term, before Pre-Texts.
– At the midpoint of the school term.
– At the end of the school term.
– 30 days or more after the term ends.
Step 3.
Report on each session of Pre-Texts implementation with a target group (e.g. students).
– Reports [Eng, esp] Include narratives, audiovisuals, surveys, and this checklist:
☐ 1. Do participants sit in circles or ovals and see each other?
☐ 2. Do participants use their hands (draw, sew, etc.) while they listen to reading?
☐ 3. Does everyone ask a pointed question to the text and post it anonymously?
☐ 4. Does everyone “adopt” a question to post a response by searching the text?
☐ 5. Do participants invite one another in a chain to consider several responses?
☐ 6. Do students propose activities and develop proposals with the group?
☐ 7. Does the teacher participate in proposing and creating with the students?
☐ 8. Do participants use the text as material for the creative activities?
☐ 9. Do sessions end with universal participation to reflect on “What did we do?”
☐ 10. Do students “go off on a tangent” or a “leaf” to post a text in the next session?
Submit a portfolio with Reports from 30 hours of good implementation.
– Include, when possible, qualitative evidence from students and their families.
Receive reviews and advice from trainers to earn Certification.
Re-certification is offered every 2 years with the same review process.
For questions or additional information, please contact culturalagents@gmail.com