Custom Programs
An Inside-Out Approach to Anti-Bias Education supporting Educators as People and Professionals
The Museum of Tolerance is a partner to schools in advancing anti-bias education, inclusion, and equity. Our FREE virtual or in-person programs are designed by/with/for groups of 25 or more. Every school community is in a different part of their equity journey and we aim to play a supportive and substantive role.
Virtual programs are comprised of approximately 8 hours of live events, with some asynchronous, spread out over a week or multiple weeks, according to your preferred timetable. Courses are eligible for CEU credits.
In-person programs are typically either 8 or 16 hours (1 or 2 days), depending on content and scheduling.
The 4 main features of every program include:
1. Experiencing the Museum of Tolerance as a social laboratory of human behavior: Led by a professional dialogue facilitator, explore some of the MOT’s most moving exhibits examining themes such as ‘bystanders’ through the Holocaust exhibit ‘Ordinary People’ theater. Explore the theme of democracy and diversity through exhibits that bring to life the struggles for justice in the Civil Rights movement in the US and specifically California through the story of the Mendez v. Westminster case. Consider patterns of contemporary hate and discrimination and the power of words and images as featured in the DigitalHate.com database, and the poignant story of reconciliation between a hate crime perpetrator and his victim. More than a tour, the session features short films, polling, web-based exploration, and break-out groups to maximize dialogue. The session is designed to spark personal reflection on how to create the changes we seek.
(Recommended: 3 hours broken into 2 sessions for virtual)
2. Hearing personal testimonies from Witnesses to History: Speakers include Holocaust Survivors, Civil Rights icons, former hate perpetrators, and more. We can arrange for multiple speakers throughout the year. (Recommended: 60-90 mins.)
3. Engaging in facilitated dialogue with peers: Creating community and a ‘safer’ space to hear and be heard is at the heart of this work. Facilitated dialogue is woven throughout every aspect of the program but a dedicated debrief is recommended to enable sharing among peers, a place to process, reflect, practice listening, and engage in the kind of dialogue we wish to emulate in schools.
(Recommended 45-60 mins)
4. Participating in Custom Workshops with Expert Consultants: All programs culminate in a hands-on workshop to tie together the personal reflections and motivations in application.
(Recommended 3- 5 hours, can be delivered over 2 sessions)
Choose a focus:
√ Positive School Culture and Campus Climate
√ Implicit Bias: Connecting Awareness to Action
√ Social & Emotional Learning as an Equity Based Strategy
√ Trauma Informed/Healing Centered Practices
√ Curriculum through a Social Justice Lens
√ Dialogue Facilitation Skills: How to Have Difficult Conversations in the School Community
√ Cultural Proficiency: An Equity-Centered Approach for School Leadership
√ Other: We work with experts across the county and can connect you to an expert who is right for your group.
Every program features interactive methods to promote self-reflection, critical thinking, and action planning. Receive valuable resource materials including a digital journal.
*This entire program including process of planning and delivery is FREE- thanks to a grant from the State of California -to educators serving k-12 schools in CA (including teachers, administrators, support staff, etc.)
How do I get started with creating a custom program for my school or district team?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE?
Tools for Tolerance® for Educators has funding for pre-K-12 public and private school educators, student teachers, teacher candidates, and the staff of California’s schools, school districts, and educator organizations. If you are involved with students or teachers in California – we want you to register!
DOES THE MOT OFFER VIRTUAL PROGRAMS?
The MOT recognizes that some educators are unable to attend our programs in person. We have developed a robust virtual training program. Please reach out to program staff for more details on scheduling a custom virtual program or read about our virtual Open Enrollment programs here.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING YOUR IN-PERSON PROGRAMS?
Group Programs:
Group Programs are customized for the goals and needs of each group, but some common elements include:
- Experience the Museum of Tolerance as a laboratory for human behavior
- Hear personal testimonies from witnesses to history
- Engage in facilitated discussions around issues that matter
- Participate in workshops customized to the group’s needs by expert consultants (choose a focus, including promoting a positive campus climate, Common Core through a social justice lens, media literacy, and much more!)
- Take home valuable resource materials
Open Enrollment Institutes:
These programs are designed for individual registrants and offered in collaboration with our various partners. Please refer here to view the themes and topics of Institutes.
WHAT IS COVERED?
For All Programs: The grant covers the cost of tuition, select educational resource materials, water, coffee, snacks, and lunch. The grant supports some of the travel expenses for non-local participants who are located beyond a 50-mile radius.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
Substitute coverage or reimbursement is not provided. Mileage reimbursement for drivers is not provided.
HOW MANY PARTICIPANTS CAN ATTEND A GROUP PROGRAM?
The minimum number of participants required for a customized group program is 30. If you have fewer than 30, please join with neighboring districts or inquire about our Open Enrollment Institutes.
WHEN ARE GROUP PROGRAMS OFFERED?
One- and two-day programs are offered year-round, Sunday through Friday, with the exception of certain holidays. Our grant period has a finite end date, and all programs must be completed by June 30, 2022.
One-day programs are scheduled for a minimum of 8 hours, usually between 8:30am – 5:00pm. Two-day programs are scheduled on consecutive days, usually mid-morning until 6:00pm on the first day; and a full 8 hours on the second day.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I MAKE A RESERVATION FOR MY GROUP?
As soon as you can! Dates are filling up quickly at the Museum of Tolerance. Because of this, we recommend that you submit your registration form now. You will identify preferred dates and the type of program that you wish to reserve. You will receive an email confirming your program once we have reviewed your information.
WHAT ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED FOR NON-LOCAL PARTICIPANTS?
Limited grant funds are available for non-locals participants who are located beyond 50 mile radius from the MOT. Subsidies are awarded on a case by case basis.
TRAVEL: Round trip air fare and/or ground transportation to and from LAX/Hotel and the MOT, OR a charter bus from your school location. For Open Enrollment participants, flight arrangements must be made more than a month before the program date.
ACCOMMODATION: One night’s lodging for customized and Open Enrollment programs, at a hotel designated by the MOT. Be prepared to provide a credit card to secure your room reservation (the card will not be charged if you occupy the room) and when you check into the hotel for any personal incidental charges you incur during your stay.
Travel and accommodation must be arranged through a Museum of Tolerance designated agency. We will not reimburse for arrangements you make independently.
HOW DO I REGISTER AND PLAN FOR AN OPEN ENROLLMENT INSTITUTE?
TO REGISTER: Check out the upcoming institutes here and fill out the registration form. Each registrant must fill out their own registration form. Once the institute has reached minimum attendance, you will receive an email from the Museum of Tolerance confirming your enrollment.
Please see the above question for travel and accommodation assistance information.
CAN I OBTAIN SALARY POINT CREDIT OR A CEU?
Yes! Some of our Institutes (as indicated) are approved for LAUSD Salary Point Credit and ALL of our programs are approved for USD Graduate Level Extension Credit. We are always working on getting more institutes approved, so keep checking in with us!
WHAT ACCOMMODATIONS ARE PROVIDED FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS?
The Museum of Tolerance is wheelchair accessible. Lunch service always includes vegetarian options. Please ask us in advance if you have other special needs. ASL interpretation can be arranged if requested in advance. We will accommodate all reasonable requests.
CAN I BRING MY OWN FOOD OR DRINK?
NO. Outside food and beverages are not permitted on the premises.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
Feel free to contact us at the Museum of Tolerance.
310.772.7620 or educators@museumoftolerance.com