Promoting Respect Workshops
The Promoting Respect Workshops (PRW) encourages respect and understanding in K–12 classrooms. Through interactive workshops and activities, students learn to appreciate differences, practice empathy, and stand up against unfair treatment, helping to build a more welcoming and supportive school environment. Join us in creating positive change in our schools and community.
Partnership with Mankato Area Public Schools
The Greater Mankato Diversity Council is pleased to collaborate with the Mankato Area Public School District to offer the Promoting Respect Workshops for K-5 classrooms. Our partnership is instrumental in creating a strong sense of community among young learners.
Together with the district, we have developed an engaging curriculum tailored for Kindergarten to Grade 5 students. Through interactive activities and discussions, students are encouraged to embrace cultural awareness, practice empathy, and become advocates for a respectful and welcoming school environment.
By working closely with educators and school administrators, we strive to create a supportive and empowering atmosphere where students can learn, grow, and celebrate what makes each person unique. Our shared commitment to fostering a welcoming community where every individual feels valued and respected is at the core of our partnership.
K-12 Curriculum
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Celebrating Me and My Family
Students learn about diversity in a broad sense through the concept of uniqueness.
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Caring for Our Community
Students learn about how showing you care about people in your community helps to build an inclusive community.
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Just Ask: Learning About Differences with Respect
Students learn about different aspects of diversity and that it’s OK to ask questions about diversity as long as it is respectful. They also learn to ask questions before making assumptions.
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Seeing Me, Seeing You
Students learn about the importance of representation in the media: of seeing themselves reflected in the media, and learning about those who are different from you.
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People Who Made Our World Better
Students learn about a variety of people who have had a positive impact in history; these people typically aren’t highlighted or are often overlooked in traditional curricula. Students learn that people who change history have certain characteristics in common, but that they are very different/diverse, and that everyone has the potential to make a difference.
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Everyone Belongs: Building Inclusive Communities
Students learn about the importance of inclusion, the harm of exclusion/bullying, and the importance of being an upstander when they see someone being excluded/bullied.
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Stronger Together: We Are Mankato
Students learn about how people have arrived in our community throughout the area’s history, with a focus on defining immigration, refugee, and Native.
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Clicks, Cliques, and Kindness
Students learn about inclusion/exclusion, bullying/cyberbullying, and how those things can lead to discrimination.
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What If It Were You?: Recognizing Discrimination
Students learn what discrimination is, a brief history of discrimination in Minnesota, and how to recognize discrimination.
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Being Yourself in a World That Pressures You to Blend In
Students learn about fitting in vs. belonging, how cliques can mirror and reinforce unfair social divisions, and how to find where they belong.
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Walking in Their Shoes
Students learn the difference between empathy and sympathy, the importance of empathy in general and across identities and experiences specifically, and what empathy looks like.
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Exploring Immigration: Myths, Truths, and Local Info
Students learn basic definitions related to immigration, debunk four prevalent myths about immigration, look at immigration data for the Mankato area, and learn about the immigration process.
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Standing Up Against Discrimination
Students will learn what prejudice, bias and discrimination are and how they are different; a brief history of discrimination in Minnesota; how to recognize discrimination, and ways to stand up against it.
We are committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment through our curriculum. We welcome inquiries from community members and are happy to provide details of our curriculum upon request to ensure transparency and open dialogue.
Is your school committed to building a respectful and welcoming environment? Join the Greater Mankato Diversity Council’s K–12 Promoting Respect Workshops! Our trained facilitators lead students through engaging activities that explore respect, empathy, and belonging.
Together, let’s create a school environment where every child feels valued, respected, and included.
Contact GMDC’s Education Director for more information on how your school can get involved!
Interested in becoming a PRW Facilitator?
This volunteer position offers a meaningful opportunity to contribute to a stronger, more respectful, and equitable community. As a volunteer, you’ll play a part in shaping positive experiences for students and helping to foster understanding, empathy, and connection.
If you're passionate about respect, education, and creating spaces where everyone feels seen and valued we encourage you to fill out an interest form and join us in this important work.
FAQs
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Volunteers who are passionate fostering respect and creating positive learning environments in our schools are welcome to apply. Prior experience in education or working with students is beneficial, but not required. Training and support will be provided to all volunteers.
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As a facilitator, you will play a key role in promoting respect in schools. Facilitators must attend a 30-minute orientation, participate in PRW facilitation training (about 1 hour each), and complete a background check. You will communicate effectively with the Education Director and co-facilitators, choose how many sessions to co-facilitate (each lasting less than one hour), and commit to multiple sessions per month. Facilitators should practice each session with their co-facilitator and complete feedback surveys after each session. This role requires openness to meaningful conversations, a willingness to learn from feedback, and a commitment to professionalism in creating a respectful and welcoming environment for all students.
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The program aims to empower students to celebrate everyone, practice empathy, and combat discrimination. Through interactive workshops and activities, students learn about cultural awareness, anti-bullying strategies, and building welcoming communities.
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The Promoting Respect Workshops program is designed to align with the Minnesota state education standards to ensure that students are meeting curriculum objectives while engaging in activities that promote respect and community building.
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Yes, parents and community members can support the program by volunteering as workshop facilitators, providing resources or donations, and spreading awareness about the importance of respect and a welcoming community.
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Volunteers are provided with training and resources to effectively facilitate the workshops prior to each lesson in the schools. While prior experience working with students is beneficial, the key qualifications for volunteers are a passion for promoting diversity, inclusion, and respect.
Facilitators are expected to attend a 30-minute orientation/get-to-know-you meeting with GMDC’s Education Director, attend PRW classroom facilitation trainings (about 1 hour each), and potentially attend further PRW trainings as required. Volunteers will also need to complete a background check. Facilitators must maintain timely and clear communication with both the Education Director and their co-facilitators.
Additionally, facilitators should practice their sessions with co-facilitators at least once before the classroom session and complete facilitator feedback surveys after each session. -
Educators or schools outside of the Mankato Area Public Schools District interested in similar programs or initiatives can reach out to the Greater Mankato Diversity Council’s Education Director at samantha@mankatodiversity.org.
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The impact and effectiveness of the workshops are measured through evaluation surveys distributed to all participating teachers and facilitators. Feedback from these surveys help asses the program's impact on students’ learning, school culture, and attitudes towards diversity and inclusion. Additionally, observations and feedback from educators, students, and administrators provide valuable insights into the overall effectiveness of the workshops. These evaluation mechanisms help us continuously improve and tailor the program to meet the needs of students and schools within the Mankato Area Public Schools District.
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Click here to fill out a PRW Facilitator Interest Form: https://forms.gle/9e5paRq42UECj4ZC8