Practicing Equity: Inclusive Facilitation
As part a Professional Learning Certification program, I designed and led Inclusive Facilitation, a signature training developed for more than 400 early childhood professionals across a national network. The session was created to teach educators, coaches, and leaders the fundamentals of inclusive teaching and instructional design, not just as a skillset, but as a mindset for cultivating belonging in every learning space.
Rooted in values of reflection, relationships, and growth, the training helped participants build the capacity to lead conversations that honor difference and invite shared learning. The curriculum introduced the “LARA Method” (Listen, Affirm, Respond, Add) as a practical framework for navigating difficult dialogue and fostering empathy. Through scenario-based learning and role play, participants explored how to recognize bias, de-escalate conflict, and facilitate discussions that center trust, curiosity, and care.
The experience went beyond content delivery. It modeled facilitation as a living practice, one that balances structure and flexibility, intellect and emotion. Educators engaged in small-group discussions, practiced restorative communication strategies, and reflected on how power dynamics, cultural identity, and group energy shape learning outcomes.
The training also addressed common “conflict personas” educators may encounter, such as the Fiery Challenger, the Negative Cynic, or the Intellectual Bully, offering concrete strategies for turning resistance into connection. By normalizing tension as part of collective growth, the workshop empowered participants to see conflict not as failure, but as opportunity.
The impact was immediate. Participants reported greater confidence leading group discussions, deeper understanding of inclusive design, and renewed energy for building psychologically safe classrooms and professional learning communities. Many incorporated the strategies into coaching sessions, family engagement meetings, and cross-site trainings, extending the reach of the program far beyond its initial cohort.
At its core, Inclusive Facilitation embodies my belief that when we equip educators to listen with intention, respond with empathy, and hold space for every voice, we create the conditions for lasting systemic change in early childhood education.