Stories of Polarization in schools. Examples from the press, followed by Open Space Technology to discuss polarization we experience in our own schools

1. Stories of Polarization
from the Field
Tony Hernandez and Rosetta Lee

7. Pause for a
Moment ...
What do these
scenarios bring
forward for you?
And
consider

8. Now we turn it over to you!
Impact of Polarizing
Situations:
An Open Space
Technology
Experience

9. Open Space
Principles
Whoever comes are the right people.
Whatever happens is the only thing
that could have happened.
Whenever it starts is the right time.
When it’s over, it’s over.
The Law of Mobility.
Here are a few principles that
describe what happens when we
are present in the experience.

10. The goal of this gathering is
reflected in the theme:

11. General Flow of an Open Space Meeting
Facilitators will invite participants to share specific issues, concerns or
ideas relevant to the theme.
These potential topics are posted as a “Marketplace.”
Participants consider which topics they want to be involved in.
Dialogue sessions convene for the rest of the time.
The whole group reconvenes to share insights gained.

12. Roles is Open Space
The host or convener
If you post a topic, you become a convener.
Your main responsibilities are to:
Simply host the conversation. There’s no
need to facilitate. Just hold the space for
the conversation to unfold.
Ensure that the standout pieces of the
conversation are collected.
The Pollinator
You aspire to visit
multiple conversations
and spread ideas or
make connections.
The Window Shopper
You aspire to contemplate
what has unfolded and what
you are learning along the
way. You may stop and
listen to a conversation or
step away to reflect.

13. Open Space Marketplace
• Topic and Location
• Julie – Middle School Appropriate
Lesson on Hurtful Words/Language
(Couches Left to Bathroom)
• Brittany – Navigating Appropriate
Conversations for Adults in the
Community (Breakout Room)
• Sara – Navigating Polarization in an
Environment of Homogeneity (Rear
Couches)
• Joy – How Do We Hear from the
• Valencia – Hiring Practices that
Best Serve Our Students and that
Are Equitable for Adults (Upstairs
“Over There”)
• Andrea - Teaching Culturally
Responsive Texts/Topics/Pedagogy
(Walking the Track)

14. What standout
moments will you
cherish?