Joint Annual Conference

Equity Immersion: Foster Belonging

Imagine a school setting where every voice is heard, valued, and included. A welcoming space where every child knows they belong. Join a group of equity champions for a day of learning and inspiration, connecting you with educational leaders passionate about equity in education. Learn strategies to cultivate belonging and elevate student outcomes that you can bring back to your school communities!

Download the Equity Immersion Flyer

Note: Equity Immersion attendees may want to consider a Wednesday night reservation at a Conference hotel to arrive in time for Thursday morning.

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Schedule Overview

8:30 a.m. Registration, Coffee, and Networking 
9 a.m. Opening Keynote
10 a.m.-Noon Presentations
Noon Lunch and Fellowship
1 p.m. Table Talk Guided Discussions
1:45 p.m. Closing Keynote
2:30 p.m. Networking and Dessert

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Opening Keynote

Pain, Power, Purpose: The Power of Us
Briana Morales, 2023 Illinois Teacher of the Year

2023 Illinois Teacher of the Year Briana Morales will share candid moments from her personal life and career dedicated to working with youth furthest from justice in an alternative setting. Morales is a proud Latina and fighter for students in alternative education, where she spent her career alongside students in East St. Louis. She was recognized by the National Council of Teachers of English with the 2021 Early Career Educator of Color award and serves as a school board member for the Illinois Department of Justice School District 428. Morales’ nonprofit, (Sister)Hood of Hope, Inc., is dedicated to honoring brighter futures for girls of color by empowering them through the community of sisterhood. Morales’ journey is a living testimony of the philosophy that she seeks to impress upon her students and those who seek to know and understand them better: turn our pain into power and that can reveal our purpose.

Presentations

Panel-style sessions begin at 10 and 11 a.m. Attendees can select two from the following:

Belonging Begins with Belleville
Ryan Boike, Ed.D., Superintendent, Belleville SD 118 and the SD 118 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Overview of the radical and transformational journey of Belleville SD 118, creating a strong sense of belonging and inclusion in their school community.
 

Breaking Barriers: The (Sister)Hood of Hope Approach to Positive Youth Development for Girls of Color    
Tara Kristoff, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Rock Falls SD 13; Briana Morales, East St. Louis SD 189

In partnership with East St. Louis SD 189, learn how the (Sister) Hood of Hope is elevating the voices, power, and brilliance of Girls of Color through the community of sisterhood that breaks barriers, heals hearts, and changes lives.

Looking at Adoptive, Foster and Kinship Children Through a New Lens: Implications for School Mental Health Support
Dawn Wilson, Director, National Training Institute at Center for Adoption Support and Education (NTI/C.A.S.E.); Laura Adams, Founder and President, iCARE4 Adoptive and Foster Families

Learn the data and research about the common struggles of children of adoptive, foster, and kinship families, and how we can address it in our schools. C.A.S.E. is a national leader in mental health services for the adoption, foster, and kinship communities. iCARE4 Adoptive and Foster Families is a regional center for education and advocacy for parents, schools, professionals, and policymakers supporting adoptive, foster, and kinship children and their families.

Elevating Student Outcomes with Equitable Dual Credit Access
Meg Bates, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative; Rebecca Vonderlack-Navarro, Ph.D., Latino Policy Forum

Explore research and hear first-hand from three exemplary school districts that have successfully collaborated with their local community colleges for equitable dual credit access.

Systemic Strategies to Welcome Newcomers
Maria Burgos, Ed.S, Director of Human Resources, Joliet SD 86 and President, Illinois Association of Latino Administrators & Superintendents (IALAS); Kristopher Rivera, Ed.S., Superintendent, Lyons Elem SD 103 and Treasurer, IALAS.

Strategies for board of education support of multi-lingual and migrant students and understanding compliance minimums.

Closing Keynote

Reach Before You Teach
Ralph L. Simpson, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent at Clayton County Public Schools, Georgia

Delve into the critical aspects of empowering educators and educational leaders to provide holistic support for students in low income and urban communities and gain understanding of the key components that contribute to creating a nurturing and supportive educational environment. Ralph L. Simpson, who has served as a Turnaround Principal, Regional Superintendent, and currently as Deputy Superintendent for the Clayton County (Georgia) Public School System, will share experiences about the importance of restorative practices, trauma-informed care, social-emotional learning, and mental health.