October 13 , 2005

Educators from across the Northwest are expected to converge Friday, Oct. 14 at Corban College for special training in cultural competency.

Greg Bell, a leading resource in the area of cultural competency, is the featured guest speaker.

”We’re excited to host this conference,” said Dr. Linda Samek, director of the teacher education program at Corban College. “Cultural competence is a critical skill for educators in our increasingly diverse schools.”

The six-hour in-service seminar is designed to equip educators – teachers and principals – with tools to more effectively lead in the Northwest’s multicultural environment.

Bell’s presentation will include high content and relative humor, Dr. Samek said. Greg Bell brings more than 15 years of experience in the areas of law, business consulting, mediation, development and training. He is recognized as a leader in the fields of cultural competency, change management, leadership, customer service and teambuilding, and he has a reputation as a gifted communicator.

“He’s an inspirational and entertaining speaker,” Dr. Samek said. "I have participated in several sessions with Mr. Bell and find him to be genuine -- the experience is a wonderful learning opportunity."

During the morning session, Bell is to present a step-by-step method for understanding and applying cultural competence in classrooms, schools, and in educators’ homes.

Participants will be asked to discuss their attitudes and actions toward people of other ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, and then to examine a tested strategy that is personally and professionally positive.

“The presentation will be engaging and provide a way of working that is principled and preserves everyone’s integrity,” Dr. Samek said. “Mr. Bell is welcoming and effectively models the skills he teaches.”

The afternoon plenary session will add to the morning’s hands-on workshop instruction by giving educators time to work in teams to apply what they have learned to their specific teaching situations.

About 75 educators are expected to the first conference Corban’s education department has hosted, Dr. Samek said. The program was designed to give participants a practical approach to cultural competency, new skills and more confidence in multicultural matters, she added.

“We chose this topic for our first hosted conference because we believe it is important for teacher preparation programs to facilitate personal growth in this area,” Dr. Samek said. “Educators must serve every child in their care. That is difficult to do when you aren’t familiar with or don’t understand the child’s background and specific learning needs.”

The $50 cost includes continental breakfast, lunch and workbook. The conference starts on campus at 8 a.m. Friday at the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center, on Warrior Drive. Click here for more information about this event.

--By Karen L. Willoughby