A game-changing, virtual professional development experience for educators
April 12, 2024
$60
*early bird tickets
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Welcome to Equity Summit
The goal of the Equity Summit is to provide a necessary space for educators to reflect, learn, share, and practice strategies to better support all students. At Skyrocket, we strive to amplify the voices of all educators committed to developing and engaging in equitable practices.
Join educators from across the country to learn, share experiences, and connect online. This professional development event, applicable to all educators and educational staff, will stream live virtual sessions, workshops and group discussions to give you a deeper understanding of what it means to be an equity advocate. You will leave with valuable tools and ideas to implement in your classrooms, schools and with other stakeholders.
Equity Summit 2023 Recap:
2023 Equity Summit Theme
Action for Impact
This year’s Equity Summit is all about taking action to make an impact in student’s lives and communities. The sessions will focus on opportunities for participants to develop and create equitable experiences that allow all students to thrive. Equity Summit 2023 strives to create the environment where we can reflect, collaborate, do and BE EQUITY.
Each session will fall into at least one of the 6 Summit Strands.
Explore the Summit Strands
Turning Reflection into Action
You’ve done some incredible work thus far. Now it’s time to reflect on your journey and take action. How do you want to make an impact? What’s the change you want to create or foster? What steps can you begin to take today? Presentations in this strand will support participants in answering these questions and creating action plans to be equity.
Academic Engagement for All Learners
Academic Engagement helps create and advance relationships between educators and students, reinvent learning and collaboration, shrink long-standing equity and accessibility gaps, and adapt learning experiences to meet the needs of all learners. Presentations in this strand will support teachers in developing innovative approaches to instruction that empower all students to engage and advocate for their learning.
Amplifying Voices
When we amplify voices, we are advocating for the voices that have been systematically silenced in the past. Meaningful amplification of voices can provide a foundation for advocacy and create safe classrooms where everyone feels heard, respected and part of a community. Presentations in this strand focus on how we can use equitable practices to amplify voices for a more equitable future.
Strengthening Equity in Your Community
Effective partnerships require educators, families, and communities to deepen collaboration and authentically engage in meaningful ways. Presentations in this strand will focus on leveraging inclusive practices that foster significant engagement with our families and communities, empowering them with tools beyond the classroom.
Leveraging Your Leadership
What practices, structures, and supports empower teachers to develop their craft? Presentations in this strand will explore topics such as growing leaders within schools and regions, establishing and supporting professional learning communities, leveraging positions to advocate for all our students, and developing pedagogical knowledge.
You, Me, Us
Moving from “you” and “me” to “us” is an essential component of equity-focused work. Teams of educators build trust and safety through their differences and explore the emotions that come up in the process. Presentations in this strand provide practical and applicable support for engaging in regular, open, communication about equity in schools, that bring communities closer to the collective purpose.
2023 Keynote Speaker
Principal
Baruti Kafele
Distinguished master teacher and transformational school leader who has lead the turnaround of several schools. Author of 12 books, including his most recent release, The Equity & Social Justice Education 50 (2021).
As this year’s Keynote Speaker, Principal Baruti Kafele will lead a conversation on how to develop an equity mindset toward ensuring the academic, social and emotional growth and development of all the learners in the classroom. In this empowering, highly engaging strand, Principal Kafele makes the case that the individuality of each student matters. He will provide attendees with strategies toward ensuring that student individuality, student cultural identity and student “voice” play prominent roles within their schools and classrooms.
Event Schedule
Febuary 24, 2023
8:30 am
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10:00 am
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION WITH BARUTI KAFELE
10:15 am
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11:10 am
KEYNOTE FOLLOW-UP WITH PRINCIPAL KAFELE
with Principal Baruti Kafele
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In this empowering, highly engaging session, Principal Kafele makes the case that the individuality of each student matters. He will provide attendees with strategies toward ensuring that student individuality, student cultural identity and student “voice” play prominent roles within their schools and classrooms.
GROWING ENVIRONMENTAL EQUITY
with Keira Kingdom & Alex Baick
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Environmental Equity is rarely included in a conversation about equitable practices, yet its a key puzzle piece in the proliferation of systemic inequity. Environmental equity is the notion that no community face a disproportionate share of environmental hazards such as pollution, natural disasters, and access to nature. Unfortunately, this is not often the case, and individuals of certain races and those of lower socio-economic status often live closer to areas with environmental hazards, in disproportionately high numbers, compared to white, higher SES individuals. Pollution can hinder mental and physical development while potentially life-threatening situations can cause irreversible trauma and much more. This presentation will not only dig into the issues surrounding environmental equity, but it will also act as a forum to share ideas with like-minded peers around what action can be taken to help mitigate the effects. We will challenge with the idea that we can begin to fix this problem from both directions; by helping the environment and by helping advocate with and for the people.
CREATING EQUITY IN DIGITAL LEARNING
with Joshua Sherod
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Creating a comfortable online atmosphere for your students can be a challenging task, especially for students that are traditionally underserved. While schools everywhere grapple with how to best deliver a digital curriculum to their student population that ensures appropriate time on task, attendance and work completion, some schools have gone past these barriers and experienced success for all students. In this workshop you’ll learn how the average and underserved students interact with online learning, and what those successful schools have found that move ALL of their students through a digital learning platform. You’ll leave with strategies that you can enact with your students and at your school site to improve all aspects of your students’ online learning experiences.
DO I GRADE EQUITABLY?
with Magdalena Ayala
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How are the grades you are assigning students contributing to motivation and learning for ALL students? Should the grades students recieve be dependent on who their teacher is? During this session we will review the 3 pillars of equitable grading from Joe Feldman's framework: Accuracy, Bias Resistance and Motivational. We will practice grading student work and create an action plan for how we will be more equitable graders tomorrow.
11:15 am
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11:40 am
STARTING A DEI COMMITTEE IN YOUR REGION: A FIRSTHAND GLANCE
with Tamara Thomas
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Here we will cover starting a DEI committee, what it's been like in our region for the first few months since its inauguration, and where it could possibly go (and how) in the future.
B.L.A.C.K.: BLACK LITERACY AND COMMON KNOWLEDGE
with Edward Mitchell
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We will focus on the effects of transgenerational trauma on students of color, while also providing strategies for educators to effectively communicate with this student demographic in both traditional classroom and online settings.
CONSCIOUS WRITING AND EDITING
with Marcus Michelson
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We will review and discuss strategies for using inclusive language to empower our students and other readers. Topics to be discussed include: un-centering white, male, and western perspectives; avoiding ableist language; and adjusting to rapid changes in word usage and terminology
12 WAYS YOU CAN CREATE A BRAVE SPACE IN A DIVISIVE WORLD
with Tyrone Brown
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Many of today's organizations celebrate the launch of their Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. However, short-term solutions that fail to impact the long-term goals of these initiatives often lead to organizations abandoning their plans in frustration. The disconnect between decision-makers and the black/brown/BIPOC experience minimizes an equal opportunity to develop a positive work culture and make the DEI initiatives relevant and meaningful. In this chat, we will explore 12 ways to create a brave space that celebrates Diversity, demands Inclusion, elevates equality, and produces belonging. Through the lens that:
-Diversity is a fact.
-Equity is a choice.
-Inclusion is an action.
-Belonging is an outcome.
LUNCH
1:00 pm
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1:55 pm
LANGUAGE GOALS FOR BILINGUAL SCHOLAR STUDENTS
with Daniela Lup
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This presentation will analyze how data can be used to help staff and EL students create specific language goals that will lead the Bilingual Scholar students to reach proficiency in English. Next, we will look at the resources available to support students with creating personalized language goals and equipping them with the appropriate tools to be successful academically. Last, we will discuss how collaboration, data, and language scaffolds will help all stakeholders reach the EL LCAP Goals
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES (PLC): OPPORTUNITIES FOR EQUITY
with Victor Escobar
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Strategies for improving professional learning communities in your region that gives your teachers a voice. Specifically, looking at how Instructional Coaches can implement PLC's that can be used to empower teachers and improve their collaboration with one another.
HELLO GEN Z! A TEACHER'S GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING AND MOTIVATING A NEW GENERATION
with Sarah Fordyce and Student Anna
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In this session, you will hear from a Gen X teacher and her Gen Z student. As co-presenters, Sarah and Anna will walk you through the research about how Gen Z views education, activism, and mental health. Attendees in this session can expect to walk away with a new understanding of students and ideas that will impact instruction and productivity.
THE JOURNEY TO CREATING LGBTQ+ INCLUSIVE SPACES
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Attendees will learn basic LGBTQ+ terminology, discuss the challenges facing LGBTQ+ youth, and brainstorm ways to create safer environments for students and staff. Personal examples will be given to help give real life examples.
2:00 pm
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2:55 pm
TRAUMA INFORMED PRACTICES AFTER A GLOBAL PANDEMIC
with Mayela Paniagua
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This presentation will analyze how data can be used to help staff and EL students create specific language goals that will lead the Bilingual Scholar students to reach proficiency in English. Next, we will look at the resources available to support students with creating personalized language goals and equipping them with the appropriate tools to be successful academically. Last, we will discuss how collaboration, data, and language scaffolds will help all stakeholders reach the EL LCAP Goals
THE PASEO
with Julia Giordano
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The Paseo is a process that has been used in Mexico and the Southwest United States as a way of getting acquainted quickly. Traditionally, participants line up in concentric circles, facing one another, and would make "un paseo," or pass by one another. We will utilize the protocol from School Reform Initiative to examine issues of diversity, beliefs and values and make connections between who we are and what shapes our behaviors and decisions through conversation.
HAND IN HAND: EQUALITY AND EQUITY
with Cynthia Martin
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This session will explore why do equality and equity matter and how can we support culturally responsive education. The student/teacher relationship play a key role in student success but we must ask ourselves, which is more important - academic success or social/ emotional safety and growth? What is our end goal when working with all students how do we nurture them both academically and social-emotionally. We will discuss strategies for cultural awareness, personal connectivity, academic success, emotional safety, and positive self esteem for all students.
TAKING ABLEISM OUT OF THE CLASSROOM
with Julienne Cunningham
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We know that 1 in 5 children in the US have learning and attention issues, yet only 1 out of 16 of those ever had an IEP and only 2% receive services. Unfortunately, there is also racial disparity in this situation. Though it's common that children of color are over diagnosed with disabilities, that also means other students are getting missed. This means that there are multiple students in any classroom that would benefit from minor adjustments to teaching such as always using dyslexic friendly fonts, turning on closed captioning on all videos, providing transcripts of all videos and finding ways to use the techniques we use for students with IEPs on a broader scale.
3:00 pm
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3:15 pm
CLOSING SESSION
Event Schedule Coming Soon!
The official schedule will be released January 2023
Sign up to be notified when the final schedule is released.
Not sure what to expect? Check out last year’s schedule!
What our 2023 participants had to say:
FAQs
How do I join this event?
Once you have registered, you will be given exclusive access to the virtual links to attend the event.
Who should attend this event?
Teachers,Principals and School Administrators, University Students, Curriculum Directors, School Leaders and Coaches, Learning Specialists, School Board Members, and anyone in the educational community dedicated to creating equitable spaces in their schools and classrooms.
What if I buy a ticket and can’t make it?
All sales are final but include access to all take-home resources. In addition to resources, all recordings will be available to you for a month after the event.
How can I qualify for group rates?
Groups of 5 or more can qualify for the group rate. Be sure to select a group tickets option when you purchase your tickets in Eventbrite. Purchase Tickets
Still have questions? Shoot us an email at equitysummit@skyrocket-ed.com
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