The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) framework establishes equitable learning environments across five key concepts: empathy, self-awareness, awareness of others, self-regulation, and motivation. In particular, self-awareness, awareness of others, and self-regulation will guide the focus of this webinar. In my past fourteen-year teaching experience at the tertiary level in Kuwait and in the UAE, I often consciously attempted to remove myself from class discussions as much as possible, but my biases would unconsciously, and sometimes consciously, interfere in certain situations. In hindsight, I question as well as critique the role my personal bias played in shaping my teaching and its cultural responsiveness. The webinar will allow its participants the opportunity to understand and reflect on the influence of (implicit) teacher bias(es) through self-awareness. It will also support its participants in recognizing cultural similarities and differences among individuals and groups within their local experiences through exercising their awareness of others. Finally, it will share ways for altering educators’ cultural perceptions about their learners and for mitigating their biases through self-regulation. Through sharing my personal teacher story, this webinar in turn hopes to inspire its participants to engage in their own introspective journeys about their past and current teaching approaches.
