Facilitators are being sought to help expand the Montgomery County Study Circles Program. Study Circles bring together students, parents, teachers, and staff who represent the diversity of the school community to explore problems and develop action plans for student success.

The program trains and certifies facilitators who can lead group discussions about important and sensitive topics relating to public education. The Study Circles focus on understanding race and ethnicity as barriers to student achievement and parent involvement, help form relationships and trust among diverse stakeholders, and create strategies for communication and collaborative action.

Facilitators are responsible for stimulating and moderating the discussion by asking questions, identifying key points, and managing the process. The training, which is free, focuses on group process skills, race and ethnic issues, and techniques specific to study circles.

Individuals who are interested in becoming Study Circles facilitators must attend a one-day facilitator training plus three practice sessions and must lead at least one study circle that meets for six two-hour sessions.

Two trainings have been scheduled this fall for individuals who would like to become certified as facilitators:

· Saturday, Sept. 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (practice sessions Sept. 13, 20 and 27, 6-9 p.m.)
· Saturday, Oct. 15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (practice sessions Oct. 18 and 25, Nov. 1, 6-9 p.m.)

For more information, contact John Landesman or Ruby Rubens at 301-517-5875 or e-mail John_Landesman@mcpsmd.org.

Study Circles is a program of Montgomery County Public Schools, in collaboration with the Montgomery County Business Roundtable for Education, Impact Silver Spring, YMCA of Silver Spring, local schools, other local nonprofits, and the national Study Circles Resource Center.