Who: Educational leaders
What: A series of intimate conversations with educational equity leaders to reflect and inspire as we move into a summer of planning for transformational change.
Featuring:
Jordan Harrison
“We Won’t Out Program Poverty and Here’s Why”
We oftentimes are asked to stop and think about our personal WHY? When it comes to social justice and transformation, Jordan Harrison explores the need for us to ask this question twice. The first being “why do we care about this work?” And the second, “why does this inequity even exist?” The latter might help us align our efforts, energy, and passion to create a more equitable society from the root and not the symptom. Jordan Harrison’s mission-driven life focuses on radical imagination and eradicating inequality with the constant reminder of our collective humanity. His work has allowed him to speak to over 250,000 people on diversity, equity, inclusion and how to develop the audacity to dream. Harrison is committed to changing the educational outcomes of low-income, underrepresented, and first-generation students from underserved communities around the world.
Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz
“Archeology of the Self: Toward Sustaining Racial Literacy in Education”
Individuals who develop racial literacy are able to engage in necessary personal reflection about their racial beliefs and practices and teach their students to do the same. Racial literacy in schools includes the ability to read, write about, discuss, and interrupt situations and events that are motivated and upheld by racial inequity and bias. Sustaining racial literacy across the life span is possible by engaging in an “Archeology of the Self” – an action-oriented process requiring love, humility, reflection, an understanding of history, and a commitment to working against racial injustice.
Paul Gorski
“Trading Baby Steps for Big Equity Leaps”
How can schools and leaders move from small equity initiatives to bold and strategic ones? Four equity leaps are consistent in schools progressing towards transformational change: the equity imperative leap, the transparency leap, the institutional leap, and the rewarding leap. Dr. Gorski will facilitate a discussion to identify the tension between small-scale and large-scale change, challenges to making leaps, and how to move forward in meaningful ways.
Margaret Wheatley
“We’re Still Here! Now What? A Warrior Talk”
Years ago, it was apparent that schools were the cauldron for all social issues and were expected to resolve those issues. Now, in 2023, that cauldron is boiling over with efforts to disrupt and even destroy public education. Yet we, as educators, still feel called to serve children and the future, and children need us more than ever. To develop the capacities and skills to stay, to persevere, and to serve, several years ago Meg and colleagues developed Warriors for the Human Spirit training. “Armed” with the skills of compassion and insight, Warriors learn to develop stable minds, clear perceptions, and practices for mind/body integration and presence. They also develop strong communities for support, consolation, strength, and dark humor. They choose service over self, remain steadfast in crises, and willingly offer their compassion and clear seeing. This work is very meaningful, with many moments of joy and grace. And this world needs many more Warriors.
When: May 1, 8, 15, and 22 from 9 – 10:30 a.m.
Where: Zoom