“Theory does not solve issues – only action and solidarity can do that – but theory gives you language to fight, knowledge to stand on, and a humbling reality of what intersectional social justice is up against.”
Services
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Who do I service?
Tim Garcia Consulting LLC is meant for any school, faculty, staff, organization, institution, youth servicing, or mission driven establishment looking for positive culture shifts. While I have worked in education primarily, many of the professional development sessions, assessments, and affinity space programs are transferable to other industries. If your institution is struggling with retention, lack of vulnerability, lack of engagement in meetings, lack of solution-oriented approaches, stagnant growth, etc. We can help address these with intentional auditing, professional development or affinity space programming. All services can be in person, hybrid, or virtual.
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DEI Professional Development
Hour long Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion professional development session based on what your staff & faculty needs. Topics can include but are not limited to, Shared Identity Language, Gender 101, Microaggressions, Intersectionality, 4 I’s of Oppression, White Dominant Culture Characteristics (curriculum of over 30 potential sessions), Addressing Bias, Reflection, Feedback, etc. These sessions are built on facilitation that focuses on establishing spaces with clear norms and boundaries as well as limiting harm and identity anxiety to maximize any discomfort for long term learning and impactful workplace culture shifts.
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Assessments
Intentionality requires the collection of data and narratives. We will always start with identifying the needs of the constituents we work with before moving forward. Otherwise we are wasting time, energy and resources. I can work with your organization to build out belonging assessments that can be used annually or as a one time assessment to help determine the next necessary steps. Additionally, I can collect informal experiences to bring light to areas of strength and gaps that can be closed through strategic approaches. Your institution will get a report based on the data capturing strengths, areas of growth, and recommendations. We can meet as a team throughout the process and I can facilitate the reflection necessary after the report is finalized. Additionally, I can recommend either my services or other practitioners who might be better equipped to meet the needs of your institution.
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Affinity Space Programming
Affinity Spaces are spaces for reflection, safe dialogue, and support. Affinity Spaces are meant to mitigate harm while maximize learning experiences. They build windows and mirrors, elevate sense of belonging, community, and ultimately allow for risk taking as well as growth. These spaces are differentiated and will also be a form of professional development for those who lead the groups. My role is to help make key decisions regarding the make up of these groups, assist in the content/curriculum of the program, and to train your facilitators so they can execute the Affinity Space Program efficiently. This program would prioritize student Affinity Space. However, I can also offer Professional learning Affinity Space Programming that combines professional development sessions with Affinity Spaces for unpacking and continuing conversations.
Packages
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Assessments
Let’s find out what the needs of your constituents are! Whether you want a sustainable belonging surveys, policy audits, exit survey audits, hiring process audits, or narrative collection, let’s collaborate to figure out what needs exist!
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Assessment + DEI Professional Development
By pairing assessments with professional development, we can leverage staff strengths to close gaps through carefully planned Professional Development.
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Audit + Affinity Space Programming
Once we have figured out what students, staff, or community needs, we can launch Affinity Space Programming for Professional Learning, Community Engagement, or Student Positive Identity Development.
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À la carte
Mix and match based on what your organization, staff, community needs!
Bailey Bear Goes to Work
This children’s book started out as a short story I wrote to be a resource in the classroom for 6 to 12 year olds to engage in topics related to systems, structures, community, and allyship. It became something so much more impactful. I was led on a journey to self publish and now I offer lesson plans and question stems to help educators begin necessary conversations about complex topics through a simple beautiful story. Not only is “Bailey Bear Goes to Work” great for the classroom but has become a bedtime story hit! Get your Copy today!
The Impact
Pew Research Center released a report in May 2023 about DEI in the workplace:
“Relatively small shares of workers place a lot of importance on diversity at their workplace. About three-in-ten say it is extremely or very important to them to work somewhere with a mix of employees of different races and ethnicities (32%) or ages (28%). Roughly a quarter say the same about having a workplace with about an equal mix of men and women (26%) and 18% say this about a mix of employees of different sexual orientations.”
To read the full report follow this link: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace
NYSAIS released a report on the impact of DEI coordinators/managers at Independent schools in 2021:
“Diversity management on practitioner campuses, according to the data, have greater impact in providing opportunity for all employees to maximize their potential and enhance their contribution to their school communities.”
“68% of respondents with DEI leads reported a school wide commitment to racially diverse staff experiencing true membership by feeling welcomed, valued, and heard in comparison to 61% of their teammates.”
To read the full report follow this link: Time For Change: The Impact of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Practitioners on Independent School Campuses
Research, Reports, and Articles to consider:
The Benefits of Diversity Education by American Psychological Association