Our classrooms mirror baseball teams, where each student, like a player, possesses distinct strengths and challenges, contributing to a diverse and vibrant educational environment. First-in-family students, who make up more than half of the enrolled population in American higher-education institutions, often face unique hurdles—academic struggles, financial pressures, and social isolation—that can impact their success. Yet, with the right coaching and playbook, these students can become all-stars in their educational journey. This workshop will focus on strategies to differentiate instruction and support first-in-family students, helping them build cultural capital and a sense of belonging. Participants will explore ways to restructure the lesson design to address time constraints, such as using multiple resources, materials, and technology. They will look for areas of assumed knowledge in directions and lesson design to provide more engaging and effective learning experiences and meet first-in-family college students’ diverse needs and learning styles. Building rapport, creating a supportive classroom culture, and providing specific instructional techniques will help first-in-family students strengthen their knowledge, develop confidence, and experience more academic success.

Authors:
Denese Wolff-Hilliard, Houston Christian University, United States
Tia Caster, Houston Christian University, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Denese Wolff-Hilliard is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at Houston Baptist University in United States

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/denese-wolff-hilliard-edd-b3021513

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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