Cultural Competency Training for School Social Workers

Join us for an exceptional opportunity to gain a better understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures while becoming an accomplished ambassador for cultural competency. This three-hour training will focus on exploring the different facets of culture and identity in order to increase awareness and understanding of diverse student populations and in turn will aid in strengthening relationships between school counselors, social workers, teachers and the students they serve.

As the United States continues to grow increasingly diverse, it is imperative for school social workers, counselors and teachers to approach the students they serve with heightened levels of cultural competency and a sense of social justice in order to successfully help students navigate their academic and personal lives. This interactive workshop has been designed to encourage a deeper understanding of the complexities of culture and diversity in today’s globalized world. Through this workshop, participants will be better prepared to be agents of change within their school setting and will have an increased awareness of how to better serve the diverse student population of today.

Participants will also explore the importance of recognizing cultural differences and study the identity development of students from diverse backgrounds. Finally, participants will examine the barriers to effective intercultural relationships and gain knowledge about how to be a more effective in a multicultural education environment.

Instructor Biographies

Cindu Thomas-George

Cindu is a tenured professor of Communication Studies at the College of Lake County specializing in Public Speaking and Intercultural Communication. In addition to her role as an educator, Cindu co-founded the Diversity and Multicultural Infusion Education Project (DMEIP) where she conceptualizes, designs and facilitates learning opportunities that encourage college employees to help create an inclusive, safe and welcoming environment that works to increase the achievement and experience of today’s growing diverse student population. Cindu truly believes that we are all our own change agents. Growing up as an Asian Indian American in the United States, Cindu has experienced first-hand the communication and cultural barriers that can come along with being an ethnic minority and woman of color. It was her own life experiences and the benefits she experienced from her own education that drew her to a career committed to creating awareness and education around issues of social justice, cultural awareness, and helping others develop and refine their communication skills.

Fred Gifford

Fred is a tenured professor of Communications at the College of Lake County who has excelled as an educator for 22 years. He has taught a variety of communication courses to diverse student populations, focusing on public speaking, leadership, group dynamics, and intercultural communication. Bolstering his qualifications as a diversity training consultant are Fred’s experiences traveling within 30 countries, primarily solo, which immersed him in situations wherein he was required to learn about local cultures in order to successfully navigate his way through their myriad of unfamiliar customs. Fred helps lead the DMEIP here at CLC and was a pioneer in the development of the highly successful Intercultural Communication course that prepares students to strive for equity and social justice in our increasingly complex multicultural world. Fred is also an accomplished public speaking coach who has developed innovative leadership and group dynamics training workshops, designed for organizations ranging from small community groups to Fortune 500 companies.