About This Webinar
Understanding our own identities—and how they shape our interactions with students—is essential to building truly identity-affirming classrooms. In this second episode of the Identity Affirming Classroom Thought Partner Series, experts Dr. Becki Cohn-Vargas and Dr. Debbie Zacarian continue the conversation from their book Identity Safe Spaces at Home and School: Partnering to Overcome Inequity, focusing on how educators can support positive identity development for all learners.
The panel explores how reflective educator practices, culturally relevant materials, and strength-based approaches help students feel seen, valued, and capable. Guest contributors Vincent Pompeii and Lenore Harris share powerful personal experiences that highlight the lasting impact of inclusive classrooms and strong home-school partnerships—particularly for multilingual learners and students from marginalized communities.
Throughout the conversation, speakers emphasize the importance of examining personal biases, understanding the diversity of students’ lived experiences, and working collaboratively with families. The webinar provides practical tools for educators, including strategies for building culturally sustaining environments, supporting multilingual learners, and forming collaborative inquiry groups that nurture student success.
Educators will leave the session with actionable insights to create classrooms where identity is honored, belonging is fostered, and every learner feels empowered.
