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Purpose
Diversity is a fact in our classrooms and the Centre for Teaching & Learning Innovation has many resources and supports for educators to develop their skill-sets and comfort levels in teaching learners from a wide range of backgrounds. We offer many learning opportunities for individuals and small groups of educators. Sessions identified below are intended to support educators in creating a welcoming learning environment for all learners. Sessions will be of particular importance for educators planning to participate in the GLO or COIL experiences supported through the International Department.
Topics of Discussion
Attention COFFEE Lovers!
Buy a bag of coffee to support Global Experiences at Mohawk College and direct-trade coffee farmers in Guatemala!
This academic year, 8 faculty and staff members from Mohawk College will be travelling to Guatemala for a 9-day cultural experience (February 2024) through the Centre for Teaching & Learning Innovation and Operation Groundwell. Staff will participate in the Seed to Shelf program, travelling to three of the world's most famous coffee growing regions and getting to know local farmers for whom coffee is a way of life. They will also stay with local Indigenous communities to learn about the history and legacy of colonialism, and what decolonization looks like from the Guatemalan and Mayan perspectives. Leading up the experience, staff will participate in training about organizing and facilitating global experiences with students, and intercultural development. Part of this training involves fundraising, and this is where you come in!
Granito's Coffees originate from many of the locations that we will be visiting on the trip including Santa Anita La Union (Café Revolucion), San Juan La Laguna (Café La Voz and Café La Nariz) and San Miguel Escobar (Café Volcanes). Granito coffee comes directly from family members who are dedicated to producing shade-grown organic coffee.
Your funds will support a community of sustainable coffee farmers in Guatemala. View more info on Granito Coffee.
"We're bringing Guatemala to you!"
$23/lb.
All Coffees from Granito will be whole bean coffees.
Coffee Choices:
Café Volcanes
A bright full-city roast (medium-dark) with natural hints of caramel and citrus.
Café La Voz
A rich full-city roast (medium-dark) with puffs of chocolate and almonds.
Café La Nariz Honey
A juicy medium roast with notes of orange and natural honey.
Proceeds from this fundraiser will go toward supporting initiatives for the Mohawk Global Experience Faculty/staff group and towards contributing to a bursary for students wishing to participate in a global experience. To place your order or for more information, please contact any of the Mohawk Global Experience team members listed below:
Cultural Immersion for Educators
The Centre for Teaching & Learning provides opportunities for local and international cultural immersion experiences for educators. Have you ever wanted to visit a local cultural site or even travel abroad to develop your intercultural awareness and capacity?
Over the past few years, several staff groups travelled to Ecuador for a 9-day cultural immersion experience. Staff groups prepare for such trips with several months of training and development prior to departure. These groups receive training on organizing and facilitating short-term experiences abroad with students, and intercultural competency development. Past groups participated in a program called Food Revolutions hosted by Operation Groundswell. For more information about the program please visit the Operation Groundswell - Ecuador Food Revolutions page.
(Mohawk College employees, Santo Domingo, Ecuador)
CTLI also organizes and facilitates local day experiences to cultural sites in the Hamilton community. Locations visited include Hamilton Mountain Mosque, Gurdwara Shaheedgarh Sahib Hamilton, and Kayanase Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. Watch for upcoming cultural immersion events or contact CTLI for more information.
(Mohawk College Employees visiting Hamilton Mountain Mosque)
(Mohawk College Employees visiting Gurdwara Shaheedgarh Sahib Hamilton)
Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI)
The Intercultural Development Inventory assesses intercultural competence which is defined as the capability to shift cultural perspective and appropriately adapt behavior to cultural differences and commonalities (Hammer, 2023). Dr. Mitchell Hammer developed the IDI based on the work of Dr. Milton Bennett and his conceptual model of intercultural sensitivity. The IDI is a 50-item questionnaire available online that can be completed in 15-20 minutes.
The Centre for Teaching & Learning Innovation can facilitate the IDI with staff teams and student groups. Some programs have adopted the IDI as part of their course content and many student and faculty groups who travel abroad complete the IDI as a part of their pre-departure training. For more information about the tool itself, please visit the Intercultural Development Inventory website.
International Faculty Tool Kit
In October 2020, the International Faculty Lead team launched the International Faculty Toolkit, a collection of resources in MyCanvas to support faculty teaching in diverse learning environments. It contains resources about:
The Toolkit is open to anyone who wishes to learn more about the diverse learning environment! To provide an opportunity to track professional learning, four modules contain completion badges! These badges are earned through reading the content, completion of quizzes and submission of module surveys. The badges are completely optional, and the content can be accessed without earning badges as well. Enrol today!
International Faculty Leads
The International Faculty Leads are champions in the college's Academic Schools to support the development and implementation of tools, resources, and strategies that promote the academic success of international students. Contact your Lead for questions about:
See the International website for the International Faculty Lead team contact information.
Additional Educator Development Supports and Resources
The following video illustrates some of the common challenges faced by international students and what educators can do to support and effectively manage these challenges.
Departments, program areas, and teams can request a wide range of personalized educator development opportunities such as:
Professional development sessions can be customized to meet the specific needs of your areas. For further information or to book a session for yourself or your team, please contact CTLI.
Language and Culture Center, International & Partnerships
Mohawk College's International & Partnerships Department is home to the Language and Culture Center. The LCC organizes cultural events for students and staff throughout the year. Have you ever wanted to attend an event celebrating Diwali or Lunar New Year? The LCC has you covered and you can visit the International Events & Student Leadership page for further information.
See the International website for the International Faculty Lead team contact information.
International Students
Are you an international student who has landed on this page and looking for more information about applying at and attending Mohawk College? Please visit the "Considering Mohawk" page for further information. Mohawk welcomes you!
Still have Questions?
Reach out to CTLI Support Today!