2015 Conference Schedule of Workshops
Saturday, April 25, 2015, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Indian Community School in Franklin, Wisconsin.
*Please note that this schedule is subject to change prior to the date of the event. Be sure to check back prior to attendance to confirm your session choices.
Session One Workshops 10:30-11:45
1. Lesson Lab
Kerry Kretchmar
Do you want support figuring out how to infuse social justice into your current curriculum? Do you need time to plan? In this space, you will have the time and space to apply the social justice themes covered at the conference to your own lesson planning and curriculum in a supportive environment. Bring your curriculum and/or lesson plans! Open to all educators.
2. The Seattle MAP Boycott
Jesse Hagopian
On January 9, 2013, teachers at Garfield High School in Seattle held a press conference announcing their unanimous vote to boycott the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test. Jesse Hagopian, history teacher at Garfield, was among those leading this boycott. In May of that same year, after months of organizing, boycotting, and facing intimidation, Seattle teachers, students and parents claimed victory: the Seattle Schools Superintendent announced that high schools could opt out of the MAP test. Today, as the opt out movement is taking the country by storm, Jesse will share his experience leading the MAP boycott in Seattle and lead a discussion on how educators can participate in the fight for public education today.
3. Experiencing Native North America: Intersections of History, Language, Landscape, and Spirituality
Margaret Noodin, Bernard Perley, Cary Miller, Sommer Drake
Session participants will be asked to think about space and spirituality from an indigenous perspective. Artist Bernard Perley created a 24 panel series of visual essays to inspire discussion about empire building, manifest destiny, capitalization, globalization and indigenous language revitalization. This session will explore ways to present these ideas in elementary, middle school and high school classrooms.
4. Activist Art Strategies for Social Justice Movements
Nicolas Lampert
Activist art strategies for social justice movements, including mud stencils, light brigades, projections, banners, protest signs, and other forms of creative resistance will be highlighted. A 30 minute presentation of activist art examples from recent/on-going movements - climate justice, black lives matter, education justice, and Wisconsin movements will be included as well as a 30 minute hands-on work shop. Session is applicable to anyone with or without an art background from 9th grade up.
5. How Universities and Teachers can Collaborate to Support Culturally Responsive Educators
Jenny Vitrano, Tracey Nix
Two university teacher education programs seek to collaborate with urban teachers to understand how to prepare culturally responsive educators. This session supports educators in urban settings interested in exploring their own culturally responsive practices, mentoring beginning teachers, and/or hosting pre-service teachers. Participants will leave with strategies to: a) strengthen their culturally responsive classroom practices, b) support social justice conversations with teachers, and c) bridge the gap between university instruction and school practices.
6. Lessons in Solidarity from Labor's Past Struggles
Kenneth Germanson
Labor's historic struggles for justice provide clues as to how to advocate in righting the wrongs in today's society is the focus of this session. Wisconsin's historic labor incidents (the 1886 Bay View Tragedy and the 1898 Oshkosh Woodworkers Strike) will be among those discussed. The session will provide an interactive experience to encourage participants to show how history can become alive and meaningful to students.
7. Islam a religion of peace, really? How to explain ISIS, Boko Haram, Charlie Hebdo murders, and other crises coming from the Muslim world.
Janan Najeeb, Dr. Randa Suleiman
What happens when your middle school or high school student brings in the latest news clip related to ISIS, Charlie Hebdo, Shariah law, terrorism, or Muslim women? Are you able to help them understand political motivations vs religious motivations? How do you address bias against Muslim students? Come with your most provocative questions!
8. Wake Up! Smell the Oppression? You Can Interrupt It!
Martha Barry, Nikotris Perkins
Young people say and hear sexist, racist, homophobic and biased words daily. This workshop teaches you how to interrupt these hurtful remarks. We’ll share words and phrases to help you defuse these demeaning situations. Model this behavior and support your young people to interrupt upsetting comments. Change the atmosphere in your classroom, hallways, groups and more. Bring your strong foundation of understanding bias to strengthen the outcome. Middle through post-secondary educators invited.
9. Rethinking Discipline in Schools: Theories and Philosophies as Tools for Change
Decoteau Irby
The session critiques and examines taken-for-granted school discipline ideas such as "respect, fairness, and expectations." Through lecture, discussion, and small group activities, participants will explore three paradigms: (a) compliance based, (b) relational-based, and (c) interest-based discipline perspectives. Participants will explore the philosophical underpinnings, practical applications, and related competencies associated with each approach.
Kerry Kretchmar
Do you want support figuring out how to infuse social justice into your current curriculum? Do you need time to plan? In this space, you will have the time and space to apply the social justice themes covered at the conference to your own lesson planning and curriculum in a supportive environment. Bring your curriculum and/or lesson plans! Open to all educators.
2. The Seattle MAP Boycott
Jesse Hagopian
On January 9, 2013, teachers at Garfield High School in Seattle held a press conference announcing their unanimous vote to boycott the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test. Jesse Hagopian, history teacher at Garfield, was among those leading this boycott. In May of that same year, after months of organizing, boycotting, and facing intimidation, Seattle teachers, students and parents claimed victory: the Seattle Schools Superintendent announced that high schools could opt out of the MAP test. Today, as the opt out movement is taking the country by storm, Jesse will share his experience leading the MAP boycott in Seattle and lead a discussion on how educators can participate in the fight for public education today.
3. Experiencing Native North America: Intersections of History, Language, Landscape, and Spirituality
Margaret Noodin, Bernard Perley, Cary Miller, Sommer Drake
Session participants will be asked to think about space and spirituality from an indigenous perspective. Artist Bernard Perley created a 24 panel series of visual essays to inspire discussion about empire building, manifest destiny, capitalization, globalization and indigenous language revitalization. This session will explore ways to present these ideas in elementary, middle school and high school classrooms.
4. Activist Art Strategies for Social Justice Movements
Nicolas Lampert
Activist art strategies for social justice movements, including mud stencils, light brigades, projections, banners, protest signs, and other forms of creative resistance will be highlighted. A 30 minute presentation of activist art examples from recent/on-going movements - climate justice, black lives matter, education justice, and Wisconsin movements will be included as well as a 30 minute hands-on work shop. Session is applicable to anyone with or without an art background from 9th grade up.
5. How Universities and Teachers can Collaborate to Support Culturally Responsive Educators
Jenny Vitrano, Tracey Nix
Two university teacher education programs seek to collaborate with urban teachers to understand how to prepare culturally responsive educators. This session supports educators in urban settings interested in exploring their own culturally responsive practices, mentoring beginning teachers, and/or hosting pre-service teachers. Participants will leave with strategies to: a) strengthen their culturally responsive classroom practices, b) support social justice conversations with teachers, and c) bridge the gap between university instruction and school practices.
6. Lessons in Solidarity from Labor's Past Struggles
Kenneth Germanson
Labor's historic struggles for justice provide clues as to how to advocate in righting the wrongs in today's society is the focus of this session. Wisconsin's historic labor incidents (the 1886 Bay View Tragedy and the 1898 Oshkosh Woodworkers Strike) will be among those discussed. The session will provide an interactive experience to encourage participants to show how history can become alive and meaningful to students.
7. Islam a religion of peace, really? How to explain ISIS, Boko Haram, Charlie Hebdo murders, and other crises coming from the Muslim world.
Janan Najeeb, Dr. Randa Suleiman
What happens when your middle school or high school student brings in the latest news clip related to ISIS, Charlie Hebdo, Shariah law, terrorism, or Muslim women? Are you able to help them understand political motivations vs religious motivations? How do you address bias against Muslim students? Come with your most provocative questions!
8. Wake Up! Smell the Oppression? You Can Interrupt It!
Martha Barry, Nikotris Perkins
Young people say and hear sexist, racist, homophobic and biased words daily. This workshop teaches you how to interrupt these hurtful remarks. We’ll share words and phrases to help you defuse these demeaning situations. Model this behavior and support your young people to interrupt upsetting comments. Change the atmosphere in your classroom, hallways, groups and more. Bring your strong foundation of understanding bias to strengthen the outcome. Middle through post-secondary educators invited.
9. Rethinking Discipline in Schools: Theories and Philosophies as Tools for Change
Decoteau Irby
The session critiques and examines taken-for-granted school discipline ideas such as "respect, fairness, and expectations." Through lecture, discussion, and small group activities, participants will explore three paradigms: (a) compliance based, (b) relational-based, and (c) interest-based discipline perspectives. Participants will explore the philosophical underpinnings, practical applications, and related competencies associated with each approach.
Session Two Workshops 12:35-1:50
1. Lesson Lab
Kerry Kretchmar
Do you want support figuring out how to infuse social justice into your current curriculum? Do you need time to plan? In this space, you will have the time and space to apply the social justice themes covered at the conference to your own lesson planning and curriculum in a supportive environment. Bring your curriculum and/or lesson plans! Open to all educators.
2. Experiencing Native North America: Intersections of History, Language, Landscape, and Spirituality
Margaret Noodin, Bernard Perley, Cary Miller, Sommer Drake
Session participants will be asked to think about space and spirituality from an indigenous perspective. Artist Bernard Perley created a 24 panel series of visual essays to inspire discussion about issues around empire building, manifest destiny, capitalization, globalization and indigenous language revitalization. This session will explore ways to present these ideas in elementary, middle school and high school classrooms.
3. Testing, Tracking, and Toeing the Line: A Role Play & Discussion
Michele Hilbert
Educators of all levels will sharpen their critical analyses of systematic inequities inherent in current educational polices and practices. Participants will engage in a provocative role play (which can be used with high school students, teacher candidates, and colleagues) that exposes the historical roots of contemporary policies. We will dedicate the last part of the session to discuss the implicit & explicit roles of education, the nature of power, and possible actions to tackle today's issues.
4. It’s Bigger Than Bullying CANCELED
5. Writing for Social Justice
Melissa Tempel, Paul Moga
Have you thought of taking your activism to another level by writing pieces for publication (i.e. Rethinking Schools magazine, OpEds, blogs or public testimony)? This workshop will inspire you to use your words as acts of political resistance. We welcome your participation.
6. They Probably Didn’t Teach You This In School: Creating Gender-Inclusive Classrooms for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students
Brian Juchems
More and more educators are presented with the opportunity and challenge of creating safe and inclusive classrooms for transgender and gender nonconforming students. This fast-paced and fun workshop will give you hands-on time with sample curriculum, tools, and strategies. We’ll use popular education techniques to identify simple and concrete steps that can be used immediately, and create a space to practice responding to awkward and/or challenging questions. This is a great workshop learn best practices and gain resources. Please join!
7. The Power of Fashion: Using Clothing to Conquer Racism
Shannon Lee Molter
The power of clothing demonstrates itself constantly in our lives and certainly in our classrooms. Discover through the garments of Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair, how Eunice Johnson, director-producer of Ebony magazine wielded fashion as a tool to conquer racism. Enjoy exciting images, take home discussion tools, acting games and art activities to empower and activate your students. This session is for educators of every subject area, all grade levels.
8. The New Non-Negotiables – Facilitating Courageous Conversations
Kristina Kaljo, Tracy McAteer
This session seeks to engage educators in facilitating Courageous Conversations with teens and colleagues. These conversations intend to inspire students to become active community members and address challenges through service learning projects. Participants will actively participate in courageous conversations and in turn create a service learning project tailored to a specific school/community. We intend to expand our dialogue and promote ongoing collaboration through social media. Resources will be provided for participants.
Kerry Kretchmar
Do you want support figuring out how to infuse social justice into your current curriculum? Do you need time to plan? In this space, you will have the time and space to apply the social justice themes covered at the conference to your own lesson planning and curriculum in a supportive environment. Bring your curriculum and/or lesson plans! Open to all educators.
2. Experiencing Native North America: Intersections of History, Language, Landscape, and Spirituality
Margaret Noodin, Bernard Perley, Cary Miller, Sommer Drake
Session participants will be asked to think about space and spirituality from an indigenous perspective. Artist Bernard Perley created a 24 panel series of visual essays to inspire discussion about issues around empire building, manifest destiny, capitalization, globalization and indigenous language revitalization. This session will explore ways to present these ideas in elementary, middle school and high school classrooms.
3. Testing, Tracking, and Toeing the Line: A Role Play & Discussion
Michele Hilbert
Educators of all levels will sharpen their critical analyses of systematic inequities inherent in current educational polices and practices. Participants will engage in a provocative role play (which can be used with high school students, teacher candidates, and colleagues) that exposes the historical roots of contemporary policies. We will dedicate the last part of the session to discuss the implicit & explicit roles of education, the nature of power, and possible actions to tackle today's issues.
4. It’s Bigger Than Bullying CANCELED
5. Writing for Social Justice
Melissa Tempel, Paul Moga
Have you thought of taking your activism to another level by writing pieces for publication (i.e. Rethinking Schools magazine, OpEds, blogs or public testimony)? This workshop will inspire you to use your words as acts of political resistance. We welcome your participation.
6. They Probably Didn’t Teach You This In School: Creating Gender-Inclusive Classrooms for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students
Brian Juchems
More and more educators are presented with the opportunity and challenge of creating safe and inclusive classrooms for transgender and gender nonconforming students. This fast-paced and fun workshop will give you hands-on time with sample curriculum, tools, and strategies. We’ll use popular education techniques to identify simple and concrete steps that can be used immediately, and create a space to practice responding to awkward and/or challenging questions. This is a great workshop learn best practices and gain resources. Please join!
7. The Power of Fashion: Using Clothing to Conquer Racism
Shannon Lee Molter
The power of clothing demonstrates itself constantly in our lives and certainly in our classrooms. Discover through the garments of Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair, how Eunice Johnson, director-producer of Ebony magazine wielded fashion as a tool to conquer racism. Enjoy exciting images, take home discussion tools, acting games and art activities to empower and activate your students. This session is for educators of every subject area, all grade levels.
8. The New Non-Negotiables – Facilitating Courageous Conversations
Kristina Kaljo, Tracy McAteer
This session seeks to engage educators in facilitating Courageous Conversations with teens and colleagues. These conversations intend to inspire students to become active community members and address challenges through service learning projects. Participants will actively participate in courageous conversations and in turn create a service learning project tailored to a specific school/community. We intend to expand our dialogue and promote ongoing collaboration through social media. Resources will be provided for participants.
Session Three Workshops 2:00-3:15
1. Lesson Lab
Kerry Kretchmar
Do you want support figuring out how to infuse social justice into your current curriculum? Do you need time to plan? In this space, you will have the time and space to apply the social justice themes covered at the conference to your own lesson planning and curriculum in a supportive environment. Bring your curriculum and/or lesson plans! Open to all educators.
2. Positive Classroom Climates: Empowering Youth, Managing Conflicts
Tara Serebin, Kathleen Knudson
As educators, how do we empower youth to think, speak and behave differently toward the daily conflict that drains classroom instruction time and strains peer relationships? How do we develop healthy classroom climates that honor diversity, tolerance and inclusiveness? This workshop will discuss effective tools and strategies used by the Peace Learning Center of Milwaukee to engage upper elementary and middle school-aged students to practice healthy ways to communicate and manage conflict, resulting in improved classroom climates and youth self-esteem.
3. Community Schools- The Best Choice for Our Students
Angela Walker
This workshop is an introduction to community schools, a holistic educational approach that has proven results. The workshop targets all grade levels and will provide participants with the tools needed to advocate and work for community schools legislation and implementation in their home communities.4.
4. Post-Racial? What? So, what? Now what?
Sherri Jones, Cathy Jester
This interactive session will allow for personal histories to be reflected in the discussion of race, racism and privilege. It’s designed for anyone on the journey of social justice. Be prepared to share, challenge and engage.
5. Interrupting the School to Prison Pipeline
Maria Peeples, Josh Del Colle
In the age of the school to prison pipeline, what responsibility do we have to examine the role of police in our schools? In this workshop, we will provide a brief history of policing in the United States while concentrating on the impacts of policing on young people. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss their experiences with police in schools and come up with intervention strategies to keep our students in school and out of the criminal justice system.
6. Beyond Bullying: New Approaches to Queering the Curriculum through Art and Design Education
Kim Cosier
This session will give teachers tools to create a curriculum that goes beyond bullying to build inclusive and liberatory curriculum that takes cues from queer art and artists. To paraphrase Maxine Greene, to queer the curriculum is to look at the world “as if it could be otherwise.”
7. Social Justice in Science Class- A Collaborative Planning Opportunity
Kelly Steiner, Sara Kemp
Hear some ideas for integrating Social Justice teaching into science class and then participate in small groups to develop ideas for your classroom and grade level. Possible applications in all grades K-12.
Kerry Kretchmar
Do you want support figuring out how to infuse social justice into your current curriculum? Do you need time to plan? In this space, you will have the time and space to apply the social justice themes covered at the conference to your own lesson planning and curriculum in a supportive environment. Bring your curriculum and/or lesson plans! Open to all educators.
2. Positive Classroom Climates: Empowering Youth, Managing Conflicts
Tara Serebin, Kathleen Knudson
As educators, how do we empower youth to think, speak and behave differently toward the daily conflict that drains classroom instruction time and strains peer relationships? How do we develop healthy classroom climates that honor diversity, tolerance and inclusiveness? This workshop will discuss effective tools and strategies used by the Peace Learning Center of Milwaukee to engage upper elementary and middle school-aged students to practice healthy ways to communicate and manage conflict, resulting in improved classroom climates and youth self-esteem.
3. Community Schools- The Best Choice for Our Students
Angela Walker
This workshop is an introduction to community schools, a holistic educational approach that has proven results. The workshop targets all grade levels and will provide participants with the tools needed to advocate and work for community schools legislation and implementation in their home communities.4.
4. Post-Racial? What? So, what? Now what?
Sherri Jones, Cathy Jester
This interactive session will allow for personal histories to be reflected in the discussion of race, racism and privilege. It’s designed for anyone on the journey of social justice. Be prepared to share, challenge and engage.
5. Interrupting the School to Prison Pipeline
Maria Peeples, Josh Del Colle
In the age of the school to prison pipeline, what responsibility do we have to examine the role of police in our schools? In this workshop, we will provide a brief history of policing in the United States while concentrating on the impacts of policing on young people. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss their experiences with police in schools and come up with intervention strategies to keep our students in school and out of the criminal justice system.
6. Beyond Bullying: New Approaches to Queering the Curriculum through Art and Design Education
Kim Cosier
This session will give teachers tools to create a curriculum that goes beyond bullying to build inclusive and liberatory curriculum that takes cues from queer art and artists. To paraphrase Maxine Greene, to queer the curriculum is to look at the world “as if it could be otherwise.”
7. Social Justice in Science Class- A Collaborative Planning Opportunity
Kelly Steiner, Sara Kemp
Hear some ideas for integrating Social Justice teaching into science class and then participate in small groups to develop ideas for your classroom and grade level. Possible applications in all grades K-12.