Upcoming events
Pro-Justice Parenting Begins!
Materials released starting January 20, 2025 (10-week course, content is self-paced, and can be done as a part of a cohort or independently)
There is nothing easy about parenting. Every day brings new challenges and just when you think you’ve got it down, a new possibility for worry or drama emerges. It can also be one of the most gratifying and joyful experiences of life.
One of our tasks as parents is to teach our children how the world works and how to be in the world. Pro-Justice Parenting is an approach for that teaching. There are so many things I did not do well as a parent. But one thing I did do well was to teach my children that fairness and justice for all people matters. I taught them that they stand in a long line of people who have struggled against injustice, and I tried to help them find their place in that struggle.
In this self-paced, 10-week course you will join a cohort of parents (or do the work independently) diving into this work and conversation. Each week will have a short reading (or audio clip) accompanied by a reflection prompt that you will reflect on with the other parents or guardians in the cohort. Pro-Justice Parenting author, Katie Kissinger, will join in on discussions throughout the series.
Course participation is FREE.
You are welcome to make a donation to Threads of Justice, if you feel called and have the resources.
Created by KATIE KISSINGER
Over 50 years of experience in the Social Justice Movement. Educator, activist, author. Adjunct College Instructor for 30+ years -- MHCC, PSU, PCC, Chemeketa, OCCC, TBCC, CGCC, CCC, Clark Community College and Pacific Oaks College. Trainer and Consultant in Anti-Bias/Anti-Oppression in Education. Coordination of Early Childhood Education at OMSI (1985-1990). Past Head Start Teacher, Ed Coordinator, and Program Manager. Board Member and Board President of the National Early Childhood Equity Alliance (1998-2002). Founding member of the Threads of Justice Collective. Author: "All the Colors We Are: The Story of How We Get Our Skin Color" (best-selling children's book) 1994 and 2014 Redleaf Press, "Anti-Bias Education in the Early Childhood Classroom: hand in hand step by step" 2017 Routledge Press and “Beat the Drum” 2022 lulu press (children’s book).
BARLS (English)
Building Anti-Racist Learning Spaces (English)
Join a cohort of early childhood educators and providers for an in-depth study of Don’t Look Away: Embracing Anti-Bias Classrooms. Over eight weeks, participants will analyze and critically reflect on their own teaching, apply anti-bias practices and engage in self-evaluation.
Each class is 2 hours, for a total of 16 training hours. This series is approved as an Oregon Registry Set 3.
Class 2: Implicit Bias
BARLS (English)
Building Anti-Racist Learning Spaces (English)
Join a cohort of early childhood educators and providers for an in-depth study of Don’t Look Away: Embracing Anti-Bias Classrooms. Over eight weeks, participants will analyze and critically reflect on their own teaching, apply anti-bias practices and engage in self-evaluation.
Each class is 2 hours, for a total of 16 training hours. This series is approved as an Oregon Registry Set 3.
Class 3: Suspension & Expulsion and Equity
Creciendo espacios de aprendizaje antirracistas
Clase uno:
Únase a un grupo de entrenadores, maestros y entrenadores de la primera infancia para un estudio en profundidad de “El Arte de Crear Problema”. Durante ocho semanas, los participantes analizarán y reflexionarán críticamente sobre su propio coaching y formación, la aplicación de prácticas anti-prejuicios y participarán en la autoevaluación.
Virtual
ORO Set 2
Now more than ever: Anti-Bias Workshop series
Session 1 of 3:
This Threads of Justice facilitated workshop is the first session in a series of 3 that will include screening Reflecting on Anti-Bias Education in Action & Families Embracing Anti-Bias Values, activities by Teaching Preschool Partners, and Q&A with one of the film creators - John Nimmo. Series is in partnership between Threads of Justice Collective, Teaching Preschool Partners, Preschool for All, and Oregon Community Foundation. More information coming soon!
BARLS (english)
Building Anti-Racist Learning Spaces (English)
Join a cohort of early childhood educators and providers for an in-depth study of Don’t Look Away: Embracing Anti-Bias Classrooms. Over eight weeks, participants will analyze and critically reflect on their own teaching, apply anti-bias practices and engage in self-evaluation.
Each class is 2 hours, for a total of 16 training hours. This series is approved as an Oregon Registry Set 3.
Class 4: ACEs and Trauma-Informed Care
Creciendo espacios de aprendizaje antirracistas
Clase dos:
Únase a un grupo de entrenadores, maestros y entrenadores de la primera infancia para un estudio en profundidad de “El Arte de Crear Problema”. Durante ocho semanas, los participantes analizarán y reflexionarán críticamente sobre su propio coaching y formación, la aplicación de prácticas anti-prejuicios y participarán en la autoevaluación.
Virtual
ORO Set 2
BARLS (English)
Building Anti-Racist Learning Spaces (English)
Join a cohort of early childhood educators and providers for an in-depth study of Don’t Look Away: Embracing Anti-Bias Classrooms. Over eight weeks, participants will analyze and critically reflect on their own teaching, apply anti-bias practices and engage in self-evaluation.
Each class is 2 hours, for a total of 16 training hours. This series is approved as an Oregon Registry Set 3.
Class 5: Steps to take towards change
Creciendo espacios de aprendizaje antirracistas
Clase tres:
Únase a un grupo de entrenadores, maestros y entrenadores de la primera infancia para un estudio en profundidad de “El Arte de Crear Problema”. Durante ocho semanas, los participantes analizarán y reflexionarán críticamente sobre su propio coaching y formación, la aplicación de prácticas anti-prejuicios y participarán en la autoevaluación.
Virtual
ORO Set 2
White People's Work; Session 1
Space is limited!
The Threads of Justice Collective will be launching a new initiative called: “White People’s Work”. We have created a 3-session introductory series for white people who want to focus on their role in anti-racism, anti-oppression work. Our hope is that this initial series will then inspire, empower people to replicate the sessions and begin their own group to keep moving forward with this effort.
BARLS (English)
Building Anti-Racist Learning Spaces (English)
Join a cohort of early childhood educators and providers for an in-depth study of Don’t Look Away: Embracing Anti-Bias Classrooms. Over eight weeks, participants will analyze and critically reflect on their own teaching, apply anti-bias practices and engage in self-evaluation.
Each class is 2 hours, for a total of 16 training hours. This series is approved as an Oregon Registry Set 3.
Class 6: How Children View Race
Creciendo espacios de aprendizaje antirracistas
Clase cuatro:
Únase a un grupo de entrenadores, maestros y entrenadores de la primera infancia para un estudio en profundidad de “El Arte de Crear Problema”. Durante ocho semanas, los participantes analizarán y reflexionarán críticamente sobre su propio coaching y formación, la aplicación de prácticas anti-prejuicios y participarán en la autoevaluación.
Virtual
ORO Set 2
BARLS (English)
Building Anti-Racist Learning Spaces (English)
Join a cohort of early childhood educators and providers for an in-depth study of Don’t Look Away: Embracing Anti-Bias Classrooms. Over eight weeks, participants will analyze and critically reflect on their own teaching, apply anti-bias practices and engage in self-evaluation.
Each class is 2 hours, for a total of 16 training hours. This series is approved as an Oregon Registry Set 3.
Class 7: Creating Anti-Racist Classrooms
Creciendo espacios de aprendizaje antirracistas
Clase cinco:
Únase a un grupo de entrenadores, maestros y entrenadores de la primera infancia para un estudio en profundidad de “El Arte de Crear Problema”. Durante ocho semanas, los participantes analizarán y reflexionarán críticamente sobre su propio coaching y formación, la aplicación de prácticas anti-prejuicios y participarán en la autoevaluación.
Virtual
ORO Set 2
White People's Work; Session 2
Space is limited!
The Threads of Justice Collective will be launching a new initiative called: “White People’s Work”. We have created a 3-session introductory series for white people who want to focus on their role in anti-racism, anti-oppression work. Our hope is that this initial series will then inspire, empower people to replicate the sessions and begin their own group to keep moving forward with this effort.
Now more than ever: Anti-Bias Workshop series
Session 2 of 3:
Second session in a series of 3 that will include a facilitated workshop with TOJC, screening Reflecting on Anti-Bias Education in Action & Families Embracing Anti-Bias Values, activities by Teaching Preschool Partners, Q&A with one of the film creators - John Nimmo. Series is in partnership between Threads of Justice Collective, Teaching Preschool Partners, Preschool for All, and Oregon Community Foundation. More information coming soon!
BARLS (English)
Building Anti-Racist Learning Spaces (English)
Join a cohort of early childhood educators and providers for an in-depth study of Don’t Look Away: Embracing Anti-Bias Classrooms. Over eight weeks, participants will analyze and critically reflect on their own teaching, apply anti-bias practices and engage in self-evaluation.
Each class is 2 hours, for a total of 16 training hours. This series is approved as an Oregon Registry Set 3.
Class 8: Creating Anti-Racist Programs & Early Learning Systems
Creciendo espacios de aprendizaje antirracistas
Clase sies:
Únase a un grupo de entrenadores, maestros y entrenadores de la primera infancia para un estudio en profundidad de “El Arte de Crear Problema”. Durante ocho semanas, los participantes analizarán y reflexionarán críticamente sobre su propio coaching y formación, la aplicación de prácticas anti-prejuicios y participarán en la autoevaluación.
Virtual
ORO Set 2
Creciendo espacios de aprendizaje antirracistas
Clase siete:
Únase a un grupo de entrenadores, maestros y entrenadores de la primera infancia para un estudio en profundidad de “El Arte de Crear Problema”. Durante ocho semanas, los participantes analizarán y reflexionarán críticamente sobre su propio coaching y formación, la aplicación de prácticas anti-prejuicios y participarán en la autoevaluación.
Virtual
ORO Set 2
White People's Work; Session 3
Space is limited!
The Threads of Justice Collective will be launching a new initiative called: “White People’s Work”. We have created a 3-session introductory series for white people who want to focus on their role in anti-racism, anti-oppression work. Our hope is that this initial series will then inspire, empower people to replicate the sessions and begin their own group to keep moving forward with this effort.
Creciendo espacios de aprendizaje antirracistas
Clase ocho:
Únase a un grupo de entrenadores, maestros y entrenadores de la primera infancia para un estudio en profundidad de “El Arte de Crear Problema”. Durante ocho semanas, los participantes analizarán y reflexionarán críticamente sobre su propio coaching y formación, la aplicación de prácticas anti-prejuicios y participarán en la autoevaluación.
Virtual
ORO Set 2
Now more than ever: Anti-Bias Workshop series (Copy)
Session 3 of 3:
Third session in a series of 3 that will include a facilitated workshop with TOJC, screening Reflecting on Anti-Bias Education in Action & Families Embracing Anti-Bias Values, activities by Teaching Preschool Partners, Q&A with one of the film creators - John Nimmo. Series is in partnership between Threads of Justice Collective, Teaching Preschool Partners, Preschool for All, and Oregon Community Foundation. More information coming soon!
Anti-Bias Leadership Seminar
24 ORO SET 3 TRAINING HOURS:
DIVERSITY, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND ADULT EDUCATION
This event qualifies for the Hadiyah Miller Scholarship (Apply here) and the Betty Gray (OFCC) Scholarship (Apply Here)
May 7 & 8 from 9 AM TO 5 PM and May 9 from 9 AM to 1 PM (participants must attend all days)
Rockwood Market Hall (Preschool for All)
458 SE 185th Ave,
Portland, OR 97233
This comprehensive, seminar will provide participants with an in-depth foundation for anti-bias/anti-oppression work in early childhood contexts.
We will first look at ourselves and then move to strategies for implementation in our work with students, staff and families. Participants will develop a leadership action plan for moving forward in this critical work.
Early childhood educators & administrators are invited to attend. The seminar content includes:
• In-depth examination of core social identity areas & how each of us is impacted by our position of privilege or target.
• Experimentation with a variety of cultural expressions (visual arts, theatre, slam poetry, song, and dance) & how to integrate these into our teaching practice.
• Exploration of leadership models & practices that challenge white supremacy.
Registration includes 2 textbooks, facilitation, and snacks
Cost $400
Past participants have said:
“[In this training I was able to understand] the many ways that white supremacy culture impacts the way that we lead and build relationships with other people.”
“I learned the importance of forgiving myself so I can heal and do better.”
“This is the most impactful training I think I have ever taken!”
“I could not have done something more meaningful and relevant to where I am on my search for change.”
“This was the first time I shared my life story with people who were outside what I consider my "tribe." I was expecting it to be uncomfortable but how it was facilitated made me feel at ease. The facilitators were amazing at making you feel comfortable and guiding the time. I was able to really work through my identity to put a "why" behind my feelings. I went into this training with the stress of life and came out in peace. :) Apparently I have been needing to unpack some of my feelings for a while!”
“This is a transformational training.”
“I'm excited to apply what I've learned in my work to empower others and challenge systems tainted by white supremacy. With this knowledge, I hope to create spaces filled with joy where everyone feels valued and respected. Ultimately, my goal is to ensure that every individual has the chance to grow, receive support, and experience love .”
“The facilitators were absolutely amazing! I really appreciated the facilitator process. It just felt so much more authentic then going to a training and being talked at, instead of talked with! Being able to "feel" the information instead of just listening to it made a world of difference to me!”
Hadiyah Gathering for People in Early Childhood
Join the Threads of Justice Collective in a celebration of the life and legacy of Hadiyah Miller - a gathering of people in Early Childhood who are invested in justice and inclusion.
During this annual mini-conference, early childhood professionals from across the field and across the state will gather to be in community, learn, and take action towards liberation.
Building Anti-Racist Learning Spaces - Class 1 (English)
Join a cohort of early childhood educators and providers for an in-depth study of Don’t Look Away: Embracing Anti-Bias Classrooms. Over eight weeks, participants will analyze and critically reflect on their own teaching, apply anti-bias practices and engage in self-evaluation.
Each class is 2 hours, for a total of 16 training hours. This series is approved as an Oregon Registry Set 3.
Class 1: Social context of racism and privilege
Collective Gathering
A bimonthly gathering of folks in the Collective. We gather to be in community, take action, do cultural work and learn together. If you are interested in joining the collective and taking action against oppression. Reach out!
Beat the Drum Reading
Join us in the Chehalem Cultural Center’s Room 201 for an afternoon of books, art, and fun with! Join us for a bilingual (English & Chinuk WaWa) reading of “Beat the Drum” with (TOJC Board Member) Qahir Beejee Peco and learn Chinuk words.
All materials will be provided, including one free copy of the book per family! This event is for all ages, particularly children and their adults.
Storyteller: Qahir Beejee Peco
Author: Katie Kissinger
Artwork: Chenoa Barton
BEAT THE DRUM is a book about a Native American child who is assigned female but challenges both gender and tribal stereotypes to be who she is. The book is a collaborative project between the Storyteller, the Author, and the Illustrator, one of whom is a member of and another a descendent of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Beat The Drum is bilingual in English and Chinuk which is the trade language of many Tribes in the West. The story introduces the terminology "two-spirit" and affirms gender fluid identity as well as highlighting traditional Tribal art. The artwork in the book inspires a connection to the earth and to the journey this child travels to sit in the full power of their true self.
Age range from 3 years to 10 years.
NW Early Learning & Pyramid Summit
Come find Threads of Justice at the Northwest Early Learning and Pyramid Summit. We will be tabling all three days and are facilitating a workshop on Wednesday (11/13) morning! Come talk with us about the Pyramid Model and how it is intertwined with inclusive practice & thinking.
Collective Gathering
Can't wait to see you in person at our first Collective Gathering! This initial meeting will be a time to meet or reconnect with one another, talk about a few nuts and bolts - like ideal timing for future meetings, share some food and talk about ways to be involved with the work that TOJC is doing!
If you’re interested in joining reach out here for address, or email: melissa@threadsofjustice.org