An Exploration of School Counselor Small Group Work Experiences Leading Diversity Dinner Dialogues

ABSTRACT

Given persistent evidence of discrimination toward students of color in K-12 schools, group dialogue about multiculturalism can help individuals understand and advocate for equity and inclusion. In this article, we introduce a new model for a multicultural dialogue intervention: Diversity Dinner Dialogues (DDDs). DDDs are a small group intervention that school counselors can implement to engage students and faculty/staff in dialogues about diversity. We also provide findings from a qualitative case study exploring the experiences of school counselors leading group work in DDDs. Five themes emerged suggesting that DDDs are valuable interventions and school counselors are well-positioned to lead them.

KEYWORDS:

• Dialogues
• school counselors
• multiculturalism
• diversity
• case study

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the Hornets Teacher Innovation Grant Program for providing funding for the DDDs intervention.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Clare Merlin-Knoblich

Clare Merlin-Knoblich, Ph.D., is a former high school counselor and current Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Taryne M. Mingo

Taryne M. Mingo, Ph.D., is a former elementary school counselor and current Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Rachel Saunders

Rachel Saunders, M.A., is a former middle and high school counselor and current Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati. She was a doctoral student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte during the preparation of this study and article.