Many educators would love to visit the countries their students are from to learn about their cultural backgrounds, but this is not always possible. What is the next best thing? Cultural immersion right in your own community! Come learn about a course designed for educators in a large district in the Mid-Atlantic region where teachers participated in various immersion activities, such as visiting a mosque in their own community. Participants will: 1) Acquire information about a replicable professional development opportunity created in a large school district for teachers to increase their cultural proficiency through interactions with immigrant communities in their area; 2) Learn about the research behind professional development opportunities that allow educators to experience “otherness” first hand; and 3) Reflect on how attitudes towards English Learners and immigrants in the larger society impact English Learner student, family, and community engagement and climate in schools.

One or more presenters on this session represent an organization selling products or providing services to the ESEA market.