"Classism has been the single most destructive psychological factor in my process of crossing, then straddling classes in America."
Barbara is available to speak in a wide variety of settings: conference keynotes and plenaries, human service organizations of all types, educational settings including early childhood, primary and secondary schools, and colleges and universities, as well as for non-profit and for-profit companies, small groups, and corporate settings.
Topics include, but are not limited to:
Classism: the Invisible Ism
Barbara has developed a model for seeing and overcoming classism in everyday life. She can impart an understanding of class and classism with particular emphasis on the area or setting of your choice. “Classism has been the single most destructive psychological factor in my process of crossing, then straddling classes in America.” (Reading Classes, Jensen)
Across the Great Divide: Hidden Hurdles and What We Can Do About Them
Barbara has done original theory work to identify a constellation of hidden hurdles, and some special talents, for students in higher education and the professional middle class from working class backgrounds as they move into professional middle class careers. She identifies survivor guilt, imposter syndrome, and internalized classism as a few of those hurdles; resilience, initiative, and cooperation as strengths.
Cultural Studies: Why Class is Not Invited to the Diversity Banquet
Barbara will impart an understanding of cultural differences between working
and middle class people, with special emphasis on invisible aspects of working
class cultures. She will identify fundamental cultural differences in child-rearing, expectations, and notions of adulthood in the middle and working classes. She will further help apply these concepts and practices to a wide variety of settings, depending on the needs of your organization.
Classism in Education: Unrigging the Rules
Barbara has done extensive research on issues of class in education from preschool settings through college and graduate schools. She uses her perspective on class and culture to examine the different experiences of working and middle class students. She has 25 years experience working in a secondary (high) school, and 20 years experience as a college instructor in psychology and sociology.
Formats include (but are not limited to):
• Conferences -- Keynote and plenary speeches.
• Speaking -– Barbara is available to speak to any size group on any of the above topics in the setting of your choice.
• Workshops -- Workshops combine lecture with experiential activities where workshop participants apply Jensen’s ideas to their own occupational or personal experiences.
• In-services -- Barbara can tailor speeches and/or workshops to meet the needs of your organization.
• Concerts -- Barbara is a musician and has developed several sets of songs about working class life. She is available to perform music alone or in conjunction with presentations on class, classism, and working class crossover’s experience.
