This evocative breakout session, Dr. Ammar Saheli will challenge all participants to assess their equity position, concerning the current state of education in California, through a racialized and social justice lens. Swift links will be made, connecting the depths of American history to contemporary educational outcomes that are negatively impacted by micro-aggressions, implicit-bias, and color-blind dispositions. This presentation and dialogue is designed to challenge all educators and support staff to explicitly deepen the equity lens, become stronger advocates for all students and families, and especially the underserved.
Dr. Ammar Saheli has served in the capacity of CEO of Saheli7 Educational Consulting for the past 11 years, Director of Student Support Services in the San Lorenzo Unified School District for 10 years, and Minister of the West Oakland church of Christ for almost the past 17 years. Twenty years ago Ammar entered the ranks of public education from the world of mental and behavioral health where he worked as a therapist serving adolescents, families, and couples. Because of his unique experince, he brings to the table a holistic, responsive and restorative psycho-educational and psycho-social approach. Ammar is passionate and proficient in the conceptions and implementation techniques related to equity, cultural competence, cultural responsiveness, unconscious/implicit bias, Restorative Practices/Restorative Justice, and instructional strategies related to critical pedagogy. Ammar specializes in developing/implementing systems designed to address racial disproportionality, student empowerment and consciousness, while additionally managing the tough and necessary dialogues—critical to moving systems, students, and families beyond the impact of cultural bias and institutional barriers. In addition to his school counseling and administrative credentials, Ammar has a BA (Psychology) and MS (Marriage & Family Therapy & School Counseling) degree from San Francisco State University and a Doctorate (International & Multicultural Education) from the University of San Francisco.
