PROFESSIONAL LEARNING CONFERENCE FOR EDUCATORS BY EDUCATORS
SPONSORED BY
EDxEDNYC CONFERENCE SESSIONS
EASTERN STANDARD TIME - NY Time
ALL SESSIONS IN
SESSION 2 (10:30-11:20am)
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Jesse Colantuono
Session Link
LINK
Through a Pandemic: What Was Exposed? What Worked? What Can We Carry With Us?
SESSION OVERVIEW
Whether implicit or explicit, teachers make impactful instructional decisions. Through text based and guided discussions we will attempt to make our decisions more explicit. The Covid -19 pandemic has further highlighted circumstances in classrooms, homes, and society that perpetuate inequalities. We have spent the year relearning socio-economic conditions that impact our students. Being able to pivot, reabsorb, and learn from our success or failures make us consummate educators. We will look at our collective instructional experience to identify the inequalities that our students face, what worked, and remedies that we can carry with us, to our peers, principals, districts, and beyond.
HOST BIO
Jesse is a Social Studies educator who has taught for sixteen years in the New York City Department of Education. As a co-curriculum writer of the Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Grade editions of Passport to Social Studies, Civics for All curriculum, and Hidden Voices: LGBTQ+ Stories in United States History he has unique insight of the planning process. He believes that a competent educator can change the lives of students and hopes to support teachers meet the needs within their classroom.
Katie Fielding
Session Link
LINK
Be an #A11Y: Creating Accessible Classroom Content
SESSION OVERVIEW
Come discuss how we can all make sure we are making our classroom content accessible. As host Ill provide some recommendations for making sure your content meets the 4 accessible principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. You will share and discuss methods you do for making your content accessible to all learners and caregivers.
HOST BIO
With 17 years of experience in public schools, Katie Fielding is always excited to talk about ways to integrate technology into the classroom. Katie transitioned to the role of Instructional Technology Coach at Woodbridge Senior High School after 13 years in the high school science classroom. In that position, she has quickly found her niche in sharing instructional practices with her colleagues, and she was selected VSTE coach of the year in 2019. Katie takes joy in building capacity in others so they can fully participate in the digital world. Additionally, she is a Google Certified Innovator, Trainer, and Coach; Canvas Certified Educator. Learn more here: https://www.katiefielding.com/
Mike Brown
Session Link
LINK
Thoroughly Used Up: They Won't Ask What You Read, They'll Ask What You Did
SESSION OVERVIEW
Dr. Asa Hilliard explains that it took an “educational effort that was systematic, intensive, and unparalleled” to create an American educational system of haves and have nots. The question is…are you willing to be thoroughly used up in order to change it? "Thoroughly Used Up" places educators in the seat of activism by 1) providing a historical analysis of race-based educational policy over the last 200 years, 2) suggesting a path forward to authentically honor our communities of color, and 3) sharing strategies as educational activists to begin righting the historical wrongs of oppression in our educational institutions. The time for activism is now, for when it is all said and done, history will not ask what you read, it will ask what you did.
Probing Questions:
1. What policies placed our American Educational System in its present predicament?
2. How specifically has American schooling perpetuated rather than remedied societal inequality?
3. What actionable steps should educational institutions take to create a more equitable, inclusive, and culturally affirming schooling experience for communities of color?
HOST BIO
Dr. Mike Brown, a native of New Jersey, has spent the last 20 years fighting for high quality education for students and families in urban schools. He earned his BA from Hampton University, Master’s from Boston College, and his Doctorate from Vanderbilt. Dr. Brown’s education journey began as a middle school teacher and eventually led him to the principalship. He served as a turnaround Principal, Chief Schools Officer managing a network of Principals, and currently helps high-impact education leaders redesign existing school models and launch innovative schools in underserved communities around the country as the Founder of EdRevolution.
Isis Spann
Session Link
LINK
We Teach CHILDREN, Not Content
SESSION OVERVIEW
So many times as educators we get caught up in lesson planning, creating assessments, and following checklists that we forget that we are teaching children. They are not robots that are trained to follow commands. They have real-life experiences that impact their learning and we should be there to help them navigate through life as human beings and not just students. By using the model of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as a guide we will have rich conversations about how we can be intentional about seeing children through the content that we teach. As a facilitator, it is my goal to make sure that educators and educational leaders leave this conversation with a renewed understanding of what it means to teach children and not content.
HOST BIO
Isis Spann is a mom to Mia(9), Nia(9), Liara(4), Princeton (1) and they all reside in South Carolina with her amazing husband Terry Spann Jr she always wants to mention them first because family is the foundation of her work. Isis Spann is a proud graduate of Johnson C. Smith University a Historically Black College and University(HBCU) where she received a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education. Later, she returned to Grand Canyon University, where she received a master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision. She is currently in her 9th year as a public school educator in St. Stephen, South Carolina leading both traditional and blended learning students. She aims to educate her students on the importance of their gifts, talents, and reaching their personal potential. Outside of the classroom, Isis is the CEO of FUNdamentals of Learning which is a company that focuses on narrowing equity, engagement, and practices gaps. Its first program Kindergarten Kounts trains parents on how to effectively lead the learning in their homes so that their children are proficient in the area of early mathematics. Isis currently serves as the director of a learning pod funded through the VELA education fund and is a 50 CAN National Voices Fellow! As the mom of a daughter conquering a disability, Isis co-authored a book with her daughter titled “Nia’s Purpose” to shed light on what it’s like to live with cerebral palsy as a kid in elementary school. Isis’ passion for education has afforded her many opportunities; being honored by BET, as a Walton Family Education Rising Star, serving as a United Negro College Fund (UNCF) K-12 fellowship alumni & mentor, founding delegate of the National Parents Union, and in 2020 Isis was apart of a team of educators that led a summer learning series through the Delta Teacher Efficacy Campaign that totaled 83, 288 views! She is not just passionate about the field of education she is dedicated to it!
Dr. Denver Fowler
Session Link
LINK
Leading for Equity, Equality, Social Justice, Inclusion, and Multiculturalism in Schools
SESSION OVERVIEW
This conversation will focus on how to effectively lead for equity, equality, social justice, inclusion, and multiculturalism in schools. More specifically, through an equity driven instructional leadership lens, key terms, strategies, and examples will be shared and discussed. In addition, the conversation will focus on how to successfully conduct an equity audit data collection and analysis with accompanying equity audit implementation plan. Finally, the conversation will share what it means to be a school leader who is truly a change agent.
HOST BIO
Dr. Denver J. Fowler is an internationally acclaimed higher education leader, associate professor, author, speaker, researcher, and former practitioner in the field of PK-12 educational leadership. Based in the United States, Dr. Fowler currently serves as an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Southern Connecticut State University. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Interim Chair of the School of Education, Chair of the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program, and Professor of PK-12 Educational Leadership at Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio. Prior to his appointment at Franklin University, spanning a decade, Dr. Fowler held appointments at The Ohio State University, The University of Mississippi, Bowling Green State University, California State University-Sacramento, and University of West Florida, respectively. Dr. Fowler has successfully taught in PhD, EdD, EdS, MA, MEd, BS, BA, and teacher/principal/superintendent licensure programs. In addition, he has helped numerous students successfully complete the dissertation and thesis processes. Prior to his service in the higher education setting, Dr. Fowler served for over a decade in the PK-12 educational setting as a coach, teacher, athletic director, technology coordinator, and school administrator. Dr. Fowler has numerous publications in the form of peer-reviewed journals and chapters, articles in top practitioner magazines, and books on the topic of educational leadership. His most recent book titled The 21st Century School Leader: Leading Schools in Today’s World consistently remains a best-seller amongst both practitioners in the field and colleges/universities preparing aspiring school leaders, including principals and superintendents. A renowned researcher on the topic of educational leadership, he has presented his research both nationally (including presentations in the states of [in no particular order] Ohio, New York, California, Colorado, Texas, Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Michigan, Nevada, Virginia, Louisiana, Arizona, Missouri, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Alabama, and District of Columbia) and internationally, including presentations in China, Greece, Italy, Turkey, England, Puerto Rico, and Africa. A proud scholar-practitioner, Dr. Fowler is an award-winning school administrator, and was once named the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators and National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Assistant Principal of the Year (APOY) in the state of Ohio, and nominated for the NASSP APOY in the United States. He received this award and nomination for successfully leading a school turn-around initiative in which his school received all A’s on their state report card. Dr. Fowler has also received Congressional Recognition from the United States House of Representatives for his dedication and service to the PK-12 educational setting. A strong advocate for educational policy reform, Dr. Fowler has spoken on Capitol Hill representing our nation’s school leaders, educators and students, advocating for Bills that would benefit our nation’s lowest performing schools. Dr. Fowler completed his Doctor of Education at Ohio University, Master of Arts in Education at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Bachelor of Science in Education at The Ohio State University, and completed a School Leadership Institute at Harvard University. A life-long learner, he is currently enrolled in the Graduate Certificate of Educational Law program at Indiana University. To this day, he remains a licensed Superintendent, Principal, and Teacher, in numerous U.S. states, and also holds a private school Administrative and Teaching license.
Dr. Peter Finch + Minerva Pardo
Session Link
LINK
Strengthening Families “Five Protective Factors” Framework
SESSION OVERVIEW
Let's discuss how the Strengthening Families Five Protective Factors can be applied to your work with students and families. Minerva Pardo is a national trainer for the Strengthening Families Framework and will welcome educators from all features of the learning community to participate.
HOST BIO
Dr. Peter Dallas Finch has served as a school administrator for 28 years. He is currently in his 20th year as Assistant Superintendent of the West Valley School District in Yakima, Washington. During his tenure in West Valley, all six elementary schools have received “Washington Achievement Awards” for student achievement. West Valley Junior High was named a "Lighthouse School for STEM Education." And, the District was designated as an “Innovative District” by the International Center for Leadership in Education. Dr. Finch serves as a co-chair of the regional "Investing in Children Coalition" and he serves as a co-chair for the national AASA Early Learning Cohort. Dr. Finch was raised in the Yakima Valley, graduated with honors from Harvard, received his Master’s Degree from Central Washington University, and his doctoral degree from Washington State University.
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Minerva Pardo serves as the Family Engagement Coordinator for the West Valley School District in Yakima, Washington. Originally from Mexico City, Pardo has two undergraduate degrees – one in Bilingual Education and another in Psychology. She also has a Master’s Degree in Education. She is a national trainer for the Strengthening Families Five Protective Factors Framework. This framework changed the way she works with families. She has presented at the local, state and national levels to a variety of audiences including superintendents, school staff, health providers, families, and teenagers.
Rebuilding Our World
One Challenge at a Time
SESSION OVERVIEW
Even in remote learning it was clear ALL students needed to be engaged in meaningful hands-on activities, especially those with disabilities. Those types of real-world challenges that tapped into the home-lives communities of students in a virtual space can and should continue in our physical spaces too.
HOST BIO
Sean and Stephanie are both District 75 educators who have both led training for educators throughout the pandemic in NYC and beyond. Sean is in STEM and Stephanie is a speech teacher, but both are committed to reaching all students through innovative technology and practices. Between them, they have received a variety of awards and certifications for their efforts. Sean shares his work on BraveInTheAttempt.com
Sean Arnold + Stephanie Fermin
Session Link
LINK
Shaun Errichiello
Bringing Laughter Into Every Lesson
SESSION OVERVIEW
In this session, we will explore the importance of laughter in every classroom and share the ways in which we each bring jokes and laughter into our virtual and in-person classes. Participants will share their approach to joking and have a chance to create and deliver jokes to a supportive audience. We will provide templates and strategies for creating and incorporating jokes, GIFs, Memes, sounds and video into your class presentations.
HOST BIO
Shaun teaches mathematics at Ithaca High School. He has been making math videos with his students for many years and is excited to have over 4000 videos in his library!
Session Link
LINK
Maria Del Valle Brin + Lauren DeLago
Session Link
LINK
Teaching Through The Popular Music of Today
SESSION OVERVIEW
In this session, we will explore strategies and activities for teaching through the popular music of today in the elementary music classroom. We will discuss how to hook students using music they love to teach the elements of music and the why behind the concept of approaching Music History backwards.
HOST BIO
Hi! My name is Maria Del Valle. I am an activist, mother, musician, teacher, consultant, and social entrepreneur. I am originally from Puerto Rico and based in New York City. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Florida, and Master’s Degree in Childhood Education from Brooklyn College. I am a flute player and I have 10 years of teaching experience founding music programs in international schools, charter schools and El Sistema Programs throughout New York City and abroad. I am the Founder of Project Shine International, an arts consulting and international exchange program, and Shine on Kids Arts Initiative, a community based arts program for children and families based in Uptown Manhattan. In 2020, I was named a quarter finalist by the RECORDING ACADEMY© and THE GRAMMY FOUNDATION© Music Educator Award and am a winner of the Excellence in Teaching Award. I love to travel, read, make music and I am dedicated to decolonizing the music curriculum, creating culturally responsive lessons, and making arts accessible for all children.
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Lauren DeLago grew up outside of NYC in Edison, NJ. She attended Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University where she studied music education with a concentration in french horn. Since graduating from Rutgers, Lauren has been teaching music in urban schools in the NYC metro area for the past 11 years. She was the founding music teacher at the i-Prep Academy, an innovative technology forward public school. While there she taught k-8 general music, was the director of an iPad jazz ensemble, an award winning concert band, and choir. She adapted the curriculum to include music technology for all grade levels. Lauren currently teaches at The Equity Project Charter School in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. Through her work there, she helps her students foster their curiosity through singing, playing recorder, dancing, and building partnerships with musical institutions such as Carnegie Hall. Since 2011, Lauren has been a member of the Brooklyn Conservatory Community Orchestra’s French horn section. What Lauren loves the most about playing in the orchestra is the community outreach through playing family concerts. She loves spending her time playing piano, going on hikes her dog, Rosie, and reading.
Jonathan Berenguer
Session Link
LINK
Hear My Story, Teach My Mind
SESSION OVERVIEW
The exchange of stories has the power to create a highway of connectivity between people in general, which also includes students and teachers. Teachers and students alike have suffered difficult times, even tragedies for many, during this pandemic. Some students may not have had any outlet to share what they’ve gone through and won’t be able to feel normal again. The exchange of stories will build bridges and highways to connect with students and make things feel a little closer to normal. As you hear them, you will gain the access to teach them. Let’s have a conversation about the tools, the strategies, and technologies to create safe spaces for student voices, exchanges, learning, and emotional and academic growth. You’ll learn how to have enough time for your lesson and enough time for your students. Read that again! Aristotle said, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”
HOST BIO
Jonathan has been involved in impacting student lives for over 15 years. In 2019, he was selected as the NY Daily News Hometown Hero for education. Despite both of his parents being murdered before he was 5 years old, and having many troubles in school, he was able to graduate college and be the first in his family to earn a Masters degree. Some of his other accomplishments include starting a tutoring company and a student empowerment agency. He has spoken to 1,000s of students across NYC. He is currently the director of TRiO High School Programming where he teaches and counsels students across 5 schools. He is also the director of Teacher Opportunity Corps where he trains and develops teacher candidates to become exemplary teachers in NYC schools. His projects with students have been featured on TV, newspapers, radio, and podcasts. His Bachelors degree is in Science Education and his Masters degree is in Organizational Leadership.