Affinity Groups

Affinity Groups are a series of workshops in which teachers with shared identities grapple with how their particular identities intersect and inform their role as STEM educators, their classroom practice, and their engagement with the wider MƒA community.

+ PLEASE NOTE: FOR ALL AFFINITY GROUPS, YOU MAY SIGN UP FOR EACH MEETING SEPARATELY IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR AVAILABILITY AND PREFERENCE FOR IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL MEETINGS.

Asian American Affinity Group p Facilitators: MƒA Master Teachers Yishan Lee, Sin Li, Susie Li, and Cathy Xiong

WEDNESDAYS, SEP 21, JAN 4

TUESDAYS, OCT 18, NOV 1, DEC 13

MƒA & ONLINE  COMMUNITY

Through our monthly meetup, we aim to create a tight-knit community of Asian American educators who explore how our identity intersects with our role as educators. We will discuss and share the diversity of social and cultural values within the Asian American community. We will also examine challenges facing all minorities and stand in solidarity with all.

Black, Latinx, and PoC Affinity Group p Facilitators: MƒA Master Teachers Shangaza Banfield, Leton Hall, Eric Portales, Samantha Tulloch, and MƒA Early Career Teacher Joshua Modeste

WEDNESDAYS, SEP 21, OCT 19, NOV 16, JAN 18

TUESDAY, DEC 13

MƒA & ONLINE  COMMUNITY

Do you identify as a Black, Latinx, Indigenous, or PoC educator who is interested in discussing the experiences and challenges faced by people of color in the world of education? Join us as we consider the issues met by our communities and support one another in our educational endeavors. We will meet monthly and our agenda will be set by the needs of our community.

Cultivating Sustainable Careers as Women of

Color Affinity Group p Facilitators: MƒA Master Teachers Alana Burgos and Alyson Lopez

WEDNESDAYS, OCT 12, NOV 2, DEC 14, JAN 4

MƒA  COMMUNITY

Do you identify as a BIPOC woman who is interested in discussing how to prioritize self-care? In this affinity group, we will have honest discussions about our common struggles of work-life balance. We will meet monthly and use guided readings and research-based self-care practices gathered by the community to create a toolkit for teacher-centered social-emotional wellness.

LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group p Facilitators: MƒA Master Teachers Pooja Bhaskar and Lisa Bueno, and MƒA Early Career Teacher Nakita VanBiene

THURSDAYS, SEP 22, OCT 27, NOV 10, DEC 8, JAN 19

MƒA & ONLINE  COMMUNITY

Are you interested in meeting other queer educators in the MƒA community? Join us as we collaborate and recharge with LGBTQIA+ STEM teachers and discuss common challenges we may face. We will meet monthly and our agenda will be set by the needs of our community. White Anti-Racist Educators Affinity Group p Facilitators: MƒA Master Teachers Brian Palacios, Christa Quint, and Andrew Slivosky

THURSDAYS, OCT 20, NOV 10, DEC 1, JAN 5

MƒA & ONLINE  COMMUNITY

Are you a white person interested in working towards a more racially just educational system? Join us as we learn from and support one another, take on a more vocal role in our school communities, seek out ways to lean into racial discomfort, decenter ourselves, and dismantle our privilege in educational settings. We will meet monthly and our agenda will be set by the needs of our community.