Who are we and how do our names, faces and stories of home and place affect our understanding of migration to the United States today? What are some of the risks and rewards involved in teaching about migration to young people? Our first module will take a long historical approach to understand what it means to be an “American.” We’ll examine who is invited — and who is excluded — to participate in the national project and be introduced to a selection of free tools and resources available to educators in this field. 

How can we make sense of migration narratives when there are so many conflicting reports and opinions about who belongs in the United States and who should be excluded? We’ll analyze mainstream news reporting to understand how different media outlets stoke our emotions. We then examine the oral history of Rubén Castilla Herrera, an Ohio leader of immigration reform, and learn from immigration attorney Nicholas Pasquarello about the Columbus Sanctuary Movement, migrant rights and the prospects of decriminalization and abolition.

Xenophobia is the dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries. While our natural human condition instills a powerful need to feel accepted in our group, what happens when members of our community perpetuate xenophobic prejudice and view migrants and other vulnerable populations as less than human? Our third module offers a participant-focused session that dives into U.S. histories of intolerance, while surveying national and local programs and centers facilitating, supporting and promoting the integration efforts of individuals and communities.

A 2015 report issued by the UCLA Blum Center on Poverty and Health in Latin America ranked Ohio last in the nation for policies and laws that exclude undocumented immigrants. Rating each state’s policies as “inclusive” (supporting health and well-being) or “exclusive” (harming health and well-being), this module looks at Ohio’s history of population, migration and narratives of inclusion and exclusion through the markers of race, class, language, gender and other categories to understand how the state has developed ideas of territoriality and belonging.  

A diaspora is a dispersion of a formerly-concentrated group of people sharing cultural similarities and homelands who have been compelled to displace and live in geographically-distant areas of the world. In module five, we examine diasporic cultural expression and the artistic practices that help create and incentivize placemaking and cultural pride. We’ll read The Distance Between Us: A Memoir by Reyna Grande and When I Get Older: The Story behind "Wavin' Flag" by K’NAAN to explore various pedagogical possibilities of memoir and music in the study of displaced peoples.  

It’s an all-too-common Columbus story: Popular restaurants offering Mexican-inspired fare veer into the unsavory territory of cultural misappropriation. How can we learn from past mistakes related to appropriation, microaggressions and slurs to promote equitable social engagement and informed consumer behaviors that foster dignity and respect? We’ll go on an alternative taco tour of migrant-owned local businesses to sample heritage cuisine, interrogate racist tropes in the culinary marketplace and consider how food can serve as a scaffolding for cultural border crossing and discovery.     

If you’re a district leader or an educator in any Central Ohio district, please complete the nomination/application webform. 

There is no cost for educators to participate. The institute offers each educator a $500 stipend and provides textbooks and other resources. Stipends will be disbursed following successful completion of the institute. Educators are also eligible for Continuing Education Units.

Which educators would benefit from participating in the DSI?
Any K-12 educator would benefit from participation. Institute seminars and workshops are at heart of the program curriculum and are led by scholars from The Ohio State University’s College of Arts and Sciences who have expertise in history, literature, art, music and performance. Recognizing the value of practice, the institute also brings in teaching experts (to share pedagogical techniques) and multicultural curriculum developers (to provide instruction on complementing and supplementing State of Ohio standards pertaining to difficult subjects).

How much does the institute cost?
There is no cost to participate. The institute offers each educator a modest stipend as well as textbooks, parking and field trip food and travel. Stipends are disbursed following successful completion of the institute.

How does the district nominate an educator to participate?
District leadership may nominate educators by completing this webform and answering some brief questions. 

Can educators volunteer without the permission of their district leaders?
Yes, educators may nominate themselves using this webform. However, unnominated educators must include a letter of recommendation or concurrence from their district DEI coordinator or school principal. 

How long and how often are the institute sessions?
Programming consists of 30 hours of engagement. It includes an orientation session (January); five three-hour Saturday seminars (monthly); and an in-person experiential-learning field trip and workshop (June).

How do educators earn credit for participation?
Upon successful completion of whole institute, educators are awarded a certificate and verification of contact hours that may be submitted for CEU consideration to the relevant district committee.

Enrollment

• What is the enrollment process?
  Educators interested in participating should complete this webform. 
   
• Can I enroll in two tracks simultaneously?
  No. Each track runs concurrently; therefore, participation is limited to one track per year.
   
• Can I enroll in a second track if I’ve participated in a previous year?
  Yes, per the discretion of DSI leadership. Email Program Coordinator Siatta Dennis-Brown (dennis-brown.1@osu.edu).
   
• Can I participate if I am educational staff but not a teacher?
  Yes, per the discretion of DSI leadership. Email Program Coordinator Siatta Dennis-Brown (dennis-brown.1@osu.edu).

Institute Cost + Stipends

• How much does the institute cost?
  There is no cost to participate. The institute offers each educator a modest stipend as well as textbooks, parking and field trip food and travel. Stipends are disbursed following successful completion of the institute.
   
• How long will it take for me to receive my stipend at the completion of the program?
  Electronic direct deposits may take up to 60 days. Regular checks may take up to 90 days.
   
• What is the vendor form? How and why should I complete it?
  The Ohio State University requires all institute participants to submit a completed vendor form in order to receive a payment. This form establishes participants as vendors in the university system.
   
•  If I completed a vendor form in previous years, can I use the vendor information that I have on file?
  No. Ohio State recently updated its vendor form protocols. As such, all participants must submit new vendor forms, regardless of previous enrollment.

Program Expectations

• What is the institute’s policy on attendance?
  DSI participants are expected to attend all of the sessions unless there are exigent circumstances. We understand that life happens and conflicts may arise. However, we encourage participants to consider applying for the following year, if they are unable to fulfill this commitment. Please note that if participants are unable to attend the final field trip, the final stipend amount will be prorated down to $250.
   
• What is the format of the sessions?
  Sessions may be virtual or hybrid depending on the format indicated by the instructor.

Program Materials

• When will I receive DSI books and materials? 
  Participants will receive their textbooks and other relevant resources at the mandatory orientation.

Email Program Coordinator Siatta Dennis-Brown (dennis-brown.1@osu.edu).