Check out this clip of RMK in the classroom!
See an example lesson plan here
We rely on donations to keep our amazing program affordable for schools!
$100 covers the cost of books and activities for one classroom for the year! A recurring $250/month donation throughout the year covers the costs of a Diversity Leader in one classroom for the entire program!
Any amount helps us meet the needs of the students and schools!
Program Timeline
August 20-September 20: Advertise, recruit, and interview BIPOC Student Teachers, which we refer to internally as Diversity Leaders (DLs). We work with key individuals and departments at Bridgewater State University, Stonehill College, Massasoit Community College, Bristol Community College, and Dean and Quincy College to find students interested in the program. We also are willing to work with a district’s BIPOC high school students if they identify an internal person to support our work.
Late September: RMK holds Employee Orientation
Late September-October 29: Diversity Leaders receive 30 hours of training in RMK’s Diversity, Civics and Advocacy Modules, RMK guiding principles, good mentorship practice, multicultural curriculum, culturally responsive teaching practice, CASEL social-emotional learning framework, lesson planning, classroom management, engaging reading techniques, trauma’s impact on the brain and behavior, and trauma-competent practice. Students also visit their assigned classroom to observe the current classroom teacher’s classroom management style and routines.
RMK provides one training per district to Pre-K-5th Grade teachers on cultural competency and mentoring DLs.
RMK provides two parent and community education sessions on curricula and ways they can welcome and support DLs.
November-Mid-May: Diversity Leaders spend one hour a week in each classroom reading a multicultural book and doing an activity. They then spend ten minutes with the classroom teacher on the lesson they provided and how to continue the conversation throughout the week, to give each teacher short but consistent doses of professional development. We aim to build up the districts’ internal capacity to continue this work beyond their five-year commitment to our program. Multicultural books are about race, culture, socioeconomic status, language, ability, and family structure. Students are given a 1-hour video tutorial weekly to review and practice the lesson before they deliver it and have the option to meet with our Curriculum Director as needed.
Mid-May-June 30: Survey student and classroom teachers, paper and in-person interviews, on the program and ways to continually improve it. July-August 19: Debrief on key takeaways from the school year and use this data for planning for next year.