Are you equipped to address the diverse demographic, technological and societal changes of today?
We are here to assist you and your staff to explore multiple perspectives, uncover implicit biases and develop cultural competence in a respectful and non-threatening manner. Our self-assessment survey tool, workshops, master classes and book clubs are available via virtual platforms and are geared to address your specific context, population and need.
Cultural Competence Workshops
We can help you and your staff to:
- Understand the changing demographics
- Increase cultural awareness and sensitivity
- Uncover unconscious biases
- Foster cultural competence
Comprehensive Equity Agenda Initiatives
We can assist your school or organization to:
- Form a comprehensive equity leadership team
- Conduct an equity needs assessment scan with the McSWOT (multicultural strength, weakness, opportunity & threat analysis tool)
- Review data and resources
- Develop SMART goals
- Implement a targeted action plan to address identified needs
Early Childhood Education Workshops
& Resources
We can provide to administrators and teachers:
- Consulting Services
- Workshops & Seminars
- Coaching & Mentoring
- Programmatic Assessments
For more information: http://www.drhelentinsley.com
High quality, targeted professional development focusing on research-based, developmentally appropriate practices in early childhood education to meet the needs of your school, organization, community agency and/or faith-based institution. Strategies included to support diverse populations including: people of color, English language learners, inner city/urban, under-served and traditionally marginalized populations.
Dr Tinsley has presented at the following locations: (partial listing)
Participant's Feedback
"Loved the balance in the presentation. It felt like a conversation rather than a PD session. The topic was sensitive but it was presented with respect and compassion. This workshop was awesome & just what we need to hear & for those who have a different culture than the children they teach it should be required."
--Executive Director of Early Learning, Orange, NJ
"The break-out rooms during the sessions and the topics discussed gave us time to be more personable. The SMILE Survey assessment was a helpful tool that helped with personal development, self-improvement and reflection. The Tinsley Institute has a variety of tools that help to foster cultural competence and helps to create personal development that will help you learn who you are and how you should can can help other students and cultures."
— Preschool Teacher, Orange, NJ
--Executive Director of Early Learning, Orange, NJ
"The break-out rooms during the sessions and the topics discussed gave us time to be more personable. The SMILE Survey assessment was a helpful tool that helped with personal development, self-improvement and reflection. The Tinsley Institute has a variety of tools that help to foster cultural competence and helps to create personal development that will help you learn who you are and how you should can can help other students and cultures."
— Preschool Teacher, Orange, NJ
The aspect of bias, I believe was valuable to my work as a case manager. Since I work with parents, teachers, students, administrators and other stakeholders. You will certainly contemplate your own bias after participating in this workshop. The presenter was straight forward and does not sugar coat the bias we all have which is a hard topic to discuss. Awareness of our bias is the message I heard and it’s the first step to change.
--Child Study Team Case Manager/ LDTC, Essex County, NJ
--Child Study Team Case Manager/ LDTC, Essex County, NJ
"Although I feel I have always been conscious of bias amongst children, I find it very valuable to be reminded. The news media makes me feel guilty for white privilege and Dr. Tinsley made me better understand what these words mean. I have to be honest with myself and my peers...I love the way things were presented as well as the tone of it all. It was a very comforting tone Dr. Tinsley used with our staff. The workshop being virtual added a level of comfort to the whole thing to be honest. Many, if not all, of the topics are uncomfortable and difficult for a white woman to discuss. It’s easy for me to acknowledge I don’t know a lot. However, when many people discuss things like white privilege and racial bias many people feel like they are being treated as guilty or being spoke down. Dr. Tinsley acknowledges that bias can be based on multiple factors and we need to be aware of our biases."
--Preschool Teacher, Township of Union, NJ
--Preschool Teacher, Township of Union, NJ
The aspects of the workshop that will be most valuable in my work are: "Continuing to intentionally educate myself about different cultures, and listening to and acknowledging the struggles that people of color face each day; revisiting the advantages of white privilege; and recognizing implicit bias that is "baked in" and countering it. Dr. Tinsley had a delicate way of approaching a sensitive subject and addressed some of the "what-about-ism" that is too often part of the discussion and shouldn't be. It was one of the best workshops I've attended, tremendously enlightening and inspiring!"
--Paraprofessional, Atlantic City, NJ Public Schools
--Paraprofessional, Atlantic City, NJ Public Schools
" Celebrate the differences and diversity of all people; listen, listen, LISTEN to others and pay attention to not only what he/she may be saying, but also what he/she is NOT saying. Because of outside influences, fears and insecurities, everyone is biased. That is no excuse for treating any other individual unfairly, unjustly, cruelly, or disrespectfully. Take the time to listen and learn the back story. Everyone has a back story."
--Teacher, Atlantic City, NJ Public Schools
--Teacher, Atlantic City, NJ Public Schools
"I just wanted to take this opportunity to express how grateful we are to have been able to have you as our facilitator for such a crucially important topic during such uncertain times. This is an unprecedented time in the history of our school where we realize the importance of varied narratives as we seek to serve the families of Englewood. You masterfully gauged the temperament of our group and strategically ushered us through a series of hard conversations that needed the navigation of a skilled communicator, such as yourself. Your workshops have given us common language and understanding around the usage of the term Racism and we are more nuanced in our understanding of how Systemic racism impacts us all."
--Lamarr Thomas, Principal, Janis Dismus Middle School, Englewood, NJ
--Lamarr Thomas, Principal, Janis Dismus Middle School, Englewood, NJ
“Dr. Helen Tinsley provided an insightful, thought-provoking presentation about how our individual experiences affect our views and subsequent reactions in various situations, and how understanding that is essential to changing our outlook and attitudes… Helen’s wealth of knowledge, cultural experiences, acute story-telling gifts and appropriate activities were able to spark respectful conversations that we could build upon to assist in maximizing educational experiences for future generations, She was able to touch each genre of diversity — age, class, gender, nationality in a light-hearted, yet thought-provoking way.”
--Preschool and Kindergarten Coach, Cumberland County, NJ
I felt that the facilitator was committed to the topic of cultural diversity, knowledgeable in the topic, and offered great stories, examples and education around the topic.
—Program Supervisor, Family Services of Westchester, NY
“I have learned so much about how to enhance our school districts’ program through participation in your workshops. The presentations are very interesting and interactive to help illustrate concepts and start dialogues. The ice breakers help participants become comfortable with one another. It is helpful to have open conversations of respect so we can grow together and share ideas and experiences. Your sense of humor and being so approachable makes it easy to reflect and to ask questions.
—Early Childhood Specialist, Bergen County, NJ
“Your workshop created a forum to engage in an open and honest dialogue regarding our own perceptions and biases in relation to how these “belief systems” may unintentionally impact our families. As the facilitator, your overall approach provided a “special touch” to this forum which allowed for the discussion of sensitive topics through our collective experience about race, class, religion and gender. This dynamic exchange helped to enhance understanding and support as we respond to the needs of our uniquely diverse families. Your workshop serves not only to inform but to uplift and empower educators regarding the challenges we continue to face with respect to inequality and oppression.”
—School Social Worker, Camden County, NJ
“Your training discussed diversity in terms of race (a relevant topic even in the 21st century), diversity across class (which I found extremely helpful for those individuals that educate in high poverty neighborhoods — areas that are otherwise unfamiliar to them), diversity in student academic achievement levels, diversity between “normal” children and those with intellectual or physical challenges, linguistically diverse students/staff/co-workers and the list goes on… To add, your “matter of fact” and “keep it real” truthful depiction and engaging style added to the overall deliverance of the workshop.”
—Learning Specialist, Cumberland County, NJ
--Preschool and Kindergarten Coach, Cumberland County, NJ
I felt that the facilitator was committed to the topic of cultural diversity, knowledgeable in the topic, and offered great stories, examples and education around the topic.
—Program Supervisor, Family Services of Westchester, NY
“I have learned so much about how to enhance our school districts’ program through participation in your workshops. The presentations are very interesting and interactive to help illustrate concepts and start dialogues. The ice breakers help participants become comfortable with one another. It is helpful to have open conversations of respect so we can grow together and share ideas and experiences. Your sense of humor and being so approachable makes it easy to reflect and to ask questions.
—Early Childhood Specialist, Bergen County, NJ
“Your workshop created a forum to engage in an open and honest dialogue regarding our own perceptions and biases in relation to how these “belief systems” may unintentionally impact our families. As the facilitator, your overall approach provided a “special touch” to this forum which allowed for the discussion of sensitive topics through our collective experience about race, class, religion and gender. This dynamic exchange helped to enhance understanding and support as we respond to the needs of our uniquely diverse families. Your workshop serves not only to inform but to uplift and empower educators regarding the challenges we continue to face with respect to inequality and oppression.”
—School Social Worker, Camden County, NJ
“Your training discussed diversity in terms of race (a relevant topic even in the 21st century), diversity across class (which I found extremely helpful for those individuals that educate in high poverty neighborhoods — areas that are otherwise unfamiliar to them), diversity in student academic achievement levels, diversity between “normal” children and those with intellectual or physical challenges, linguistically diverse students/staff/co-workers and the list goes on… To add, your “matter of fact” and “keep it real” truthful depiction and engaging style added to the overall deliverance of the workshop.”
—Learning Specialist, Cumberland County, NJ