Join RISE staff members Andrew Lazarov and Cindi Huss for “Facilitating Cultural Humility and Critical Thinking in the Classroom” at East Tennessee State University’s Equity and Inclusion Conference. The session will take place Friday, Sept 27 at 1:15 p.m. in DP Culp Center room 219.

Educators have many tools to make learning engaging. In this session, participants will explore how and why to move beyond engagement to critical thinking and cultural humility. No matter the topic, educators can learn from students, invite students to join educators in discomfort, work together with students to challenge preconceptions and bias of all kinds, and make the classroom space more accessible to more people.

Andrew Lazarov (she/he/they) is a graduate student pursuing a Master’s in Public Health at University of Memphis and serves as a community educator at RISE: Healthy for Life. Lazarov’s previous academic involvement with ETSU has contributed to their passion for inclusive education in Johnson City, TN.

Cindi Huss (she/her) is one of RISE: Healthy for Life’s collaborating directors. She is a trained journalist and a trauma-informed care and sexuality education facilitator trainer. Cindi codeveloped RISE’s innovative Stellar Sex Ed curriculum, which has programs for middle schoolers, high schoolers, and adults. She also codeveloped RISE's Accessible Sex Ed training, which was funded by a grant from the TN Disability Coalition, and she developed many of RISE's workshops.

RISE: Healthy for Life is a Johnson City-based nonprofit that transforms culture around bodies and beings from fear-based to fact-based, oppression to affirmation. RISE champions responsible, inclusive, trauma-responsive wellness education and care for people of all ages from littles through elders. In addition to direct education, RISE supports guardians and professionals as they provide sexual and reproductive health information and care. This leads to healthier, more respectful relationships, self-confidence, and more responsible decision-making throughout our community.