The University of Central Arkansas will host a civility workshop on Tuesday, May 9 at 6 p.m. at the Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center on the campus.
The workshop, “Mudslinging, Disagreements & Disrespect: Climbing Out of the Rabbit Hole of Incivility,” will provide an interactive experience to build a context for civility, compassion and courage to grow in the school, community and home. It is appropriate for educators, community leaders, parents and all other civility stakeholders.
“’Civility now’ is not just a phrase; it is a mindset that will affect how we interact, communicate and value each other genuinely in society,” explained Dr. Candice Barnes, associate professor in UCA’s College of Education and co-author of “Civility, Compassion and Courage in Schools Today.”
She said, “Civility is currently in great demand but in short supply. So, this workshop will show how to move beyond the niceties of, ‘please’ and ‘thank you,’ and help you define civility in the context of school, work and community.”
A discussion surrounding strategies to moving beyond creating basic awareness, to becoming civility competent in various contexts will be explored. Workshop presenters include Barnes, Dr. Patricia Kohler-Evans, professor and director of the UCA Mashburn Center of Learning, and Todd Parker of Parker Educational and Development.
This summer, the group will continue the civility discussion with an in-depth civility boot camp scheduled to take place July 24-27 at UCA.
The workshop on May 9 is free, however, registration is required. Visit uca.edu/outreach/profdev to register online or call 501-450-3429 for more information.