Education Justice Project

Education Justice Project Science Workshop Facilitator Application Due March 1, 2017

The mission of the Education Justice project is to build a model college-in-prison program that demonstrates the positive impacts of higher education upon incarcerated people, the communities from which they come, the host institution, and society as a whole.

Thank you for your interest in the Education Justice Project. There are many opportunities to work for worthy projects on campus and in the Champaign-Urbana community. We are very grateful you have expressed an interest in our program.

This is an application for facilitating science workshops at Danville Correctional Center. Under the name “science workshops” we include all sciences, mathematics, and other science related topics. The exact length and schedule of science workshops is flexible, as is the course content. The main purpose of our workshop series is to provide EJP students an opportunity to learn topics that will prepare for, complement, or supplement the upper-level course work EJP students complete during the academic year. Our hope is that after participating in a science workshop, whether it’s held over a single day or multiple sessions, an EJP student will gain further confidence in foundational skills in diverse disciplines of science and have greater appreciation for the subject. Previous workshop topics have included common math misconceptions, sports sciences, genetics, statistics, and fuel cell electrochemistry. Workshop enrollment will be a maximum of 15 students.

The workshop facilitator will be responsible for the content of the workshop(s), and is free to propose any topic. We advise you to follow the science workshop facilitator guidelines, which will help you in designing your workshop. A workshop should be between 1-4 sessions and should not interfere with final exams of the semester. Science workshops are typically scheduled during the following timeslots:

Thursdays 8:30 am - 11:30 am or Thursdays 11:30 am - 2:30 pm or Wednesdays 5-8 pm

Please complete this application in Microsoft Word, as that will allow you to take as much space as you need in responding to each question. Please email it, with a copy of your CV, to Lance Pittman, EJP Science Workshop Coordinator, at [email protected]. Successful applicants will have to complete Illinois Department of Corrections clearance procedures, which will involve completing a detailed form and then a visit to the prison at a later date. Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree. No remuneration is available for workshop facilitators.

If you are selected to offer a workshop, you will need to send Lance Pittman a title and 1-2 sentence description for each session. This information is used to advertise the workshop to EJP students and should be written in accessible language that will generate student interest.

EJP Science Workshop Facilitator Application 1 Last updated 01.17.2017 Please contact Lance Pittman, if you have any questions about completing this form, EJP science programming, clearance procedures, or to discuss workshop ideas before you submit.

EJP Science Workshop Facilitator Application 2 Last updated 01.17.2017 EJP SCIENCE WORKSHOP FACILITATOR APPLICATION

Address:

Phone:

Email:

Occupation:

Employer:

UI Department (if applicable):

What field is your Bachelor’s Degree in?

What other degrees do you hold (if applicable)?

Why are you interested in facilitating a Science Workshop at Danville Correctional Center?

Proposed Science Workshop subject(s) and number of sessions preferred:

EJP Science Workshop Facilitator Application 3 Last updated 01.17.2017 Best dates and days/time for you to offer the workshop (list all that work well for you – see above for the possible workshop timeslots):

Please highlight any skills and experiences that you believe prepare you for teaching this workshop. Additionally, remember to attach a copy of your CV with your application.

Working in a prison brings up many feelings and presents a range of challenges for most of us. What do you imagine might be the biggest challenges or concerns for you?

Please list names and email addresses of two references we may contact, along with their relationship to you (e.g., boss, colleague, friend, etc.)

1. ______

2. ______

______Your Signature (electronic is fine)

______Date

Education Justice Project 403 E. Healey St, Champaign 61820 217-300-5150 www.educationjustice.net [email protected], Lance Pittman, Science Workshop Coordinator

EJP Science Workshop Facilitator Application 4 Last updated 01.17.2017 Education Justice Project Science Workshop Facilitator Guidelines Lance Pittman, EJP Science Workshop Coordinator, [email protected]

Thank you for teaching a workshop at Danville Correctional Center. We greatly value your contribution. Higher education in prison is associated with many benefits for students, instructors, and the wider community. We hope that you will find your involvement fulfilling and rewarding.

At all times, please observe all policies and procedures at DCC as outlined below. This is essential for our relationship with the prison and a matter of safety and security for all. Thank you for your cooperation.

Working with students While we recognize that each instructor is likely to have her or his own teaching style and pedagogical priorities, we ask that you adhere to the following. . Create a relaxed, friendly atmosphere that actively involves students in thinking, discussing and learning. . Be honest and sincere. Our students are expert BS-spotters. . Be available to all students as equitably as possible. . Be mindful of the strict policy against fraternization (see below).

Please consider the following when designing your class.  There is no Internet access available, either to students or instructors.  If you need to bring science equipment, a DVD, or other materials for your workshop, per- mission will need to be obtained in advance from the prison. Some materials (e.g., glass items, internet-capable devices) are prohibited. Talk to Lance Pittman prior to the start of the semester that you are planning to volunteer (and at least six weeks in advance of the start of your workshop) about obtaining clearance. Be prepared with Plan B if clearance is not granted. Clearance is good only for the date it is requested, so if you need something multiple times, clearance will need to be requested each time.  Currently all teaching materials must be submitted and reviewed by DCC for clearance.  Danville students are very lively and the class size is small (typically 15 students or less). Discussion formats work much better than do lectures.

Available Resources Your class will be held in a room with a chalkboard and tables or student desks. We can accommodate requests for classroom computers and projectors (for PowerPoints, video clips, or DVDs).

EJP can order an inexpensive book or arrange to make handouts for your workshop if arranged in advance. If you can make your own handouts, that is very helpful. Please bring enough for up to 15 students and an extra copy for the EJP the resource room.

EJP Science Workshop Facilitator Application 5 Last updated 01.17.2017 Additional Expectations Convocation: All new workshop presenters are invited to attend a morning convocation and at Danville, which typically occurs the Thursday before the week that classes begin at UIUC. Hence, please reserve August 25, 2017 on your calendar.

Mangoland Post: After each workshop session, workshop instructors post a brief update to our internal network for other EJP instructors, tutors and coordinators. You will notice that instructors of semester-long courses post detailed updates and make several requests of tutors. In contrast, short-term workshop instructors usually post a few sentences to simply let others know about the main content of the workshop, and to alert the group to any special resource room needs, glitches or unusual events that occur. If you have major questions or concerns after your experience at DCC, please talk with Lance Pittman.

Student Evaluations: We ask students to complete a brief evaluation form for each workshop. This helps us evaluate our program as a whole and to better tailor future workshops to students’ needs. If you are not accompanied by Lance Pittman during your final workshop session, please be sure to distribute the form to your students. (Lance will send you the form.) Thank you!

To and From DCC If you are new to DCC Lance Pittman will accompany you to at least your first workshop session. Typically, Lance will meet you outside of Common Ground in Lincoln Square and will drive out to DCC with you. Typically, this meeting occurs 65 minutes before start time. E.g., if you are teaching a 5-8 pm workshop, then we will meet at 3:55 pm in order to arrive at DCC at roughly 4:40, allowing us time to get through security and settle in before students arrive.

Dress code: No legs, shoulders or bare feet showing. Wear nothing that can be construed as provocative. A loose-fitting, dark colored, crew-neck t-shirt, long pants, and closed-toed shoes are your best bet.

Professional Conduct The success and longevity of our program depends on there being no suggestion of inappropriate relationships between our staff and our students. At issue is the potential of such relationships to undermine safety and security at the prison. The Illinois Department of Corrections takes fraternization very seriously, and so do we.

Behavior that the DOC takes as suggestive of fraternization includes correspondence between a student and instructor, an instructor carrying in resources (books, supplies) for a single student, an instructor spending disproportionate amount of time with a single student, and physical touching beyond a normal handshake.

Emergency Numbers Lance Pittman, EJP Science Workshop Coordinator 217-621-7994 Rebecca Ginsburg, EJP Director 217-649-2991 Jamie Hines, EJP Operations Manager 217-300-5150 Danville Correctional Center 217-446-0441

EJP Science Workshop Facilitator Application 6 Last updated 01.17.2017 Again, welcome. Thank you for your valuable participation in this project!

Education Justice Project 403 E. Healey St, Champaign, IL 61820 217-300-5150 [email protected] www.educationjustice.net

EJP Science Workshop Facilitator Application 7 Last updated 01.17.2017