Equity Immersion Fosters Belonging
Student voices were a common thread throughout the 2024 Joint Annual Conference including – and especially – at the third annual Equity Immersion. The event “fostered belonging,” by bringing together poignant and inspiring keynoters, practical information from organizations, and the entertaining and unforgettable voices of the High Five Choir from New Trier THSD 203.
Directed by Susan E. Vaughan, the High Five Choir blends, through music, students of all abilities from general and special education populations. Even after enduring a longer-than-expected bus ride through a mid-November snow, the group inspired with its camaraderie and entertained with its wonderful music. The High Five Choir is an inspiration for music-lovers and equity promoters alike, on the power of this work.
The opening keynote was presented by 2023 Illinois Teacher of the Year Briana Morales. In her conversation on Pain, Power, Purpose: The Power of Us, Morales shared moments from her career dedicated to working with youth furthest from justice in an alternative setting. Morales spoke of three of her students and the meaningful relationships she had with them that changed their lives and prompted her to become more than a teacher, but also a champion, for her students. Morales’ journey is a testimony of turning pain into power to reveal our purpose.
In a later panel session, Morales discussed her nonprofit, (Sister)Hood of Hope, Inc., which empowers girls of color by empowering through the community of sisterhood. This and other panel-style presentations offered opportunities for growth in equity concepts. Attendees could hear about the journey of Belleville SD 118 to create a strong sense of belonging and inclusion in the school community, and from the Illinois Association of Latino Administrators & Superintendents on support of multi-lingual and migrant students. A discussion of “Elevating Student Outcomes with Equitable Dual-Credit Access” took place with panelists from across the state. The Center for Adoption Support and Education teamed with iCARE4 Adoptive and Foster Families to share information on services for adoption, foster, and kinship communities.
Closing keynote speaker Ralph L. Simpson, Ed.D., the Deputy Superintendent of Administrative Services for Clayton County Public Schools in Georgia, spoke to persistence and resiliency in relating his path from not-so-successful student, to work in the justice system, to working as a public school administrator and public school leader. Through focuses on restorative practices, trauma-informed care, social-emotional learning, and prioritizing mental health, Simpson shared experiences in leadership. He offered background on his belief in empowering educators and encouraging “reach before you teach,” to offer understanding of the key components that contribute to creating a nurturing and supportive educational environment.
Over 130 public school leaders attended the 2024 Equity Immersion, presented by IASB.
