Sessions: Saturday Morning

10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

A Brave Community: Groundwork for Sustainable Ways to Address Race and Racism—Part 2
We know that social and emotional learning (SEL) is the foundation of an equitable schooling for all members of the community. SEL skills enable young people as well as adults to build meaningful relationships. In this session, you will engage with a powerful three-pronged whole-school model for advancing equity in our schools: social and emotional learning, restorative practices and brave conversations about race. You’ll be able develop the beginnings of your own racial autobiographies and engage in personal sharing around culture. Participants must attend both sessions to qualify for a certificate.
Presenters: Daniel Coles, senior program manager, Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility; Marieke van Woerkom, staff developer, Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility

The Changemaker Challenge: Unlocking Students’ Power with Knowledge in Action—Part 2
Experience firsthand the principles of design thinking, and learn about the different levels of social impact as well as a multistep process where students: identify a problem, research potential solutions to address root causes, think creatively and critically, and devise an action plan to create positive change. Adapted from the proven “Knowledge to Action” model pioneered by education nonprofit World Savvy, change-maker challenges have been successfully used across the nation to inspire and support students to act as empathic, action-oriented change-makers. Take an engaging change-maker challenge back to your classroom and help all your students know they are powerful! Participants must attend both sessions to qualify for a certificate.
Presenters: Maria Laura Acebal, head of Youth Years, North America, Ashoka; Mallory Tuominen, director of professional learning, World Savvy

Empower Your Students with the Teaching Tolerance Social Justice Standards
Join a presentation by Teaching Tolerance (a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center) to introduce the project’s Social Justice Standards, which provide a road map for anti-bias education and social emotional learning at every grade level. Come learn how the standards provide a foundation for authentic learning that builds upon students’ experiences and voice and allows them to be who they are without diminishing the identity of others. You will receive a copy of the Social Justice Standards and information on where to find other free resources to support anti-bias education.
Presenter: Hoyt Phillips, deputy director, Teaching Tolerance

Engaging Students Through Purposeful Play
Want to increase student engagement and learning? Spark collaboration and critical thinking in your classroom with classroom-based, student-tested games? Learn how to use reflective strategies to move beyond simple game play to deepen student knowledge and understanding. Participants will walk away with ready-to-use resources for all content and grade levels.
Presenters: Cynthia Hopkins, science teacher, Kaffie Middle School (Corpus Christi, Texas); Jane Lee-Rhodes, science department chair, Corpus Christi Independent School District

Finding Strengths: Supporting Students with Disabilities—Part 2
All students have unique strengths that they bring into the classroom. This session will provide insights into teaching students with high-incidence disabilities in the classroom in a more positive way. Educators from all grade levels will engage in research-based strategies and learn different tools that they can incorporate into their classroom practices. Participants must attend both sessions to qualify for a certificate.
Presenters: Vonita Herald, intervention specialist K-12, Cincinnati (Ohio) Public Schools; Debra Wright, teacher, Middle Country (N.Y.) Teachers Association

How Teachers and Schools Can Promote Informed and Equitable Voting
What role can teachers across grade levels and content areas as well as school leaders play in promoting informed and equitable voting? We will help participants learn about trends in youth voting, inequalities in turnout, misconceptions about youth engagement, and key approaches to teaching about voting and elections in a nonpartisan way. Participants will explore resources, models and case studies so that they can outline a plan of action that will fit in their own classroom, school, and/or district setting and align with other core priorities.
Presenters: Erica Hodgin, associate director, Civic Engagement Research Group, University of California Riverside; Joe Kahne, director, Civic Engagement Research Group, University of California Riverside; Abby Kiesa, director of impact, The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, Tufts University; John Rogers, director and professor, Institute for Democracy, Education, and Access, University of California Los Angeles

An Introduction to Restorative Practices: From Contract Language to Learning Circles
The Saint Paul (Minn.) Federation of Educators bargained for 12 restorative-practice pilot school sites in its 2015 contract. Since then, more than 500 educators in St. Paul have grown from this restorative journey. Join us to learn from and with other educators in a restorative circle, and experience other ways in which restorative practices can be introduced in a school community to elevate and empower bold conversations about school climate, racial equity and their relationship to public education.
Presenters: Fallon Henderson, restorative practice lead, Saint Paul (Minn.) Federation of Educators/Saint Paul (Minn.) Public Schools; Becky McCammon, restorative practice program coordinator, Saint Paul Federation of Educators/Saint Paul Public Schools

STEM Through Project-Based-Learning: An Engineering Design Process Challenge—Part 2
Have you ever wondered how to use project-based learning and STEM in the classroom?  Join a group of AFT teacher leaders as they demonstrate how to incorporate the engineering design process in a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) project. Participants will design and build their project, view student samples and work samples of other STEM/STEAM (including arts) projects for grades K-8. All participants will be provided with a 6-E STEM lesson plan and design portfolio that was designed and tested in the classroom and which can be adapted for other grade levels. Participants must attend both sessions to qualify for a certificate.
Presenters: Andrea Bennett, instructional coach grades K-8, McKinley STEMM Academy, Toledo (Ohio) Public Schools; Julie A. Campbell, science support teacher, Toledo Public Schools

Until All of Us Are Well: Honoring the Inner Lives of People Who Work in Schools
Healthy and whole adults are the best intervention for student success, but how often do we focus on the wellness of the caring adults who work in schools? In this session, you will explore the complex social emotional experience of educators, engage in opportunities to reclaim your professional identities, and explore ways you can advocate to make staff wellness a priority in your school and community.
Presenters: Judith Fernandez, school wellness coach, Meaning Makers Collective; Michelle Kurta, school wellness coach, Meaning Makers Collective