Association of Music Administrators of Manitoba

Leadership Conference 2024

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism - where do I start as an educator?

Thursday, October 24, 2024
9:00 am - 3:30 pm
LRSD Legacy Centre
900 St. Mary’s Road, Winnipeg, MB

When we see the words Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism, & Anti-Oppression, we tend to shy away from it as we don't know where to start, especially in the classroom.  As educators, we don't want to make any mistakes when we start this work, but we can't ignore it or leave it to someone else. While I am not an expert in Anti-Oppression in Education, I can share with you what I have learned along the way, what worked for me in the classroom & workplace, and my lived experience as a person who belongs in multiple equity deserving communities.

Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression work takes curiosity and courage - come join the conversation!

Workshop Abstract:

Educators engaging in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) work is critical in addressing societal oppression and fostering a more just, safe, and affirming environment. EDI work involves a multifaceted approach, encompassing intricate details, recognizing power dynamics, embracing discomfort, and challenging established systems. Understanding terms like Intersectionality, Equity Deserving/Equity Seeking, and Dominant Culture are integral to this journey. Confronting biases and prejudices is crucial, necessitating a focus on personal, interpersonal, institutional, and structural/cultural realms of oppression. The EDI journey of an educator is ongoing, marked by a commitment to learning, action, and self-reflection. Valuable resources and actionable steps, such as developing an EDI plan, fostering self-reflection, initiating equity scans, establishing diversity clubs, and advocating for inclusive hiring practices, can empower educators in advancing EDI goals within classrooms, schools, school district, and the greater community. Essential texts and online platforms further aid in understanding and implementing EDI practices for a more equitable classroom.

In one sentence, what will participants learn during this workshop that they can use in their classroom?

Participants will learn that in order to have true safe spaces for all students & staff in their classrooms/schools, that they need to allow for themselves & everyone to affirm their identity through understanding, empathy, and celebration of everyone's lens, and that reciprocity & equity is needed in education.

Facilitator Biography

Mandart Chan (he/him) embraces his intersectionality as a gay, cis-gender, neurodivergent, first-generation Chinese/Hong Kong-Canadian male. He was born & raised as a visitor on the lands of the Musqueam people, also known as Richmond, BC. He graduated from the University of Victoria (BMus - 2003, PDPP - 2004) and the American Band College of Sam Houston State University (MMus - 2014), and had recently completed the Master of Professional Education program in Equity, Diversity, and Social Justice at the University of Western Ontario. For over 18 years, Mandart taught Band, Leadership, and Social Justice in schools in Alberta (Calgary) and British Columbia (Victoria). In addition to education, Volunteerism, Social Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Community are the main pillars of Mandart’s life. This passion for Social Justice and EDI has led him towards a career path to the Ministry of Education & Child Care in British Columbia, where he now holds the position of Education Officer. Mandart’s first project was leading the development team for the “Anti-Racism Education in BC : A Teachers’ Guide” which was released in early 2023.

Along with his work in Music Education, he has been an active volunteer with the BC Music Educators’ Association, and the Canadian Music Educators’ Association. Recently, Mandart joined the Institute for Composer Diversity as the head of DEI and as a database coordinator. For the past 24 years, Mandart has been an active member of the Canadian Armed Forces (Reserves) working in the Canadian Cadet Organization, where he holds the rank of Major. Mandart lives as a visitor on the lands of the Lekwungen People, also known as Victoria BC with his partner Jason and their dogs Tikka & Masala.