Practicing an Ethnic Studies - Nonviolence Framework

In a time marked by political polarization, systemic violence, and increasing despair, both students and educators can feel overwhelmed and struggle to sustain hope for a world that centers love, justice, and belonging. But having the capacity to connect with what’s alive in us—slowing down to connect with our feelings and needs—we can more effectively respond to the challenging moment we’re confronted with.

Drawing from tenets of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and ethnic studies, this workshop will explore the role of feelings and needs in fostering healing, empathy, and community action. During the first half of the workshop, participants will engage in a transformative multigenre writing exercise that supports students and teachers in practicing self-love, healing, and fostering inner peace. After building the capacity to explore and navigate their feelings and needs, session participants will, for the second half of the workshop, be introduced to an inquiry process that supports participants in developing an action plan to attend to an unmet need(s) in their work and community context.

About the presenters:

Mike Espinoza is an Ethnic Studies teacher in the Campbell Union High School District. He previously served as the district’s Ethnic Studies Teacher on Special Assignment. Currently, Mike teaches English and a year-long Ethnic Studies Literature course that he designed and successfully added to the district’s course catalog. Mike played a key role in developing the Campbell Union High School District’s Ethnic Studies Framework and has designed curriculum that enables students to earn the State Seal of Civic Engagement through his course.

Mike Tinoco is an educator and nonviolence practitioner from San José, California. He is a certified Center for Nonviolent Communication and Kingian Nonviolence trainer and is committed to helping create a world that demands justice, centers love, and holds room for everyone to be part of the Beloved Community. Mike is also the author of Heart at the Center: An Educator’s Guide to Sustaining Love, Hope, and Community through Nonviolence Pedagogy, a book that invites teachers to practice a holistic approach to nonviolence, which was published in July 2024.