Edtalksmn

Almost every area of the human brain is required to engage in music-making. Student musicians do better in school, have higher attendance, graduation and test rates, and learn key 21st century workplace skills. It’s time to stop treating music education as optional and understand its critical importance in every child’s development, especially those from historically under-resourced communities. Musician, evaluator and educator Sara Zara Zanussi presents research on how integrating music from the beginning of every child’s development can actually rewire neurological pathways, increase student engagement and performance, and help close our education opportunity gaps. EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls in partnership with the Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​. This virtual EDTalk was live streamed online on February 23, 2022. It was emceed by Amanda Koonjbeharry.

Presenter: Laichia Vang, High School Student and Activist, Roseville Area High School Our cultural identity is strongly intertwined with our native language. So what happens when that language gets lost or diminished? High school activist Laichia Vang (she/they) is a native Hmong speaker who experienced the erasure of her native Hmong language while participating in English Language Learners (ELL) classes. In her talk, she explores this common experience that is shared by many students of color and others for whom English is not their first language. They also identify ways that our education systems must support and advocate for multilingual students and families by understanding what is at stake when language is lost. EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls in partnership with the Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​. This virtual EDTalk was live streamed online on February 23, 2022. It was emceed by

This EDTalks is titled “PSEO As a Bridge from High School to College” Our featured speaker is Maria Wright. Maria is director of dual enrollment at St. Cloud State University. Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) – also known as dual enrollment – provides an affordable way for high school students to experience college and earn college credit by completing courses at eligible postsecondary institutions. PSEO has grown rapidly in Minnesota over the past twenty years, but there are wide gaps in participation between white students and students of color, English language learners and low-income students. A former PSEO participant at South High School, she’s passionate about increasing postsecondary education access for students of color, students from lower socioeconomic status and first-generation college students. Maria has also worked as assistant registrar at Troy University in Alabama and in various roles at the University of Minnesota’s College in the Schools concurrent enrollment program. She earne

This EDTalks is titled “How PSEO is a Game-Changer for High School Students” Our featured speakers are Asiya Browne and Zeke Jackson. Asiya Browne is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota, where she’s studying sociology of law, criminology and deviance, and Asian and Middle Eastern studies with a focus in Arabic. She serves on the board of People for PSEO, where she works to connect more students to PSEO through outreach and policy work. Zeke Jackson is a junior at the University of Minnesota, majoring in finance and political science. He serves as executive director of People for PSEO, working hard to inform families about PSEO, lower barriers to PSEO enrollment, advocate for strong PSEO policies and build a statewide PSEO community. As high school students, Asiya and Zeke participated in PSEO, taking college classes and earning credit at no cost. Now both are University of Minnesota students and leaders in People for PSEO, a nonprofit that works to increase visibility about the many benefits of PSEO an

Presenter: Amal Karim, Impact Officer, The Constellation Fund | December 8, 2021 Philanthropy and education is a complicated mix that has a tremendous impact on education equity and access. More than a quarter of charitable giving by wealthy donors goes to education causes, from childhood to postsecondary, and education is very popular among all donors. As a Constellation Fund impact officer, Amal Karim sees first-hand the interesting dynamics between philanthropy and education and the effects on communities. In her talk, she provides a brief overview of philanthropic giving in education and explore current conversations surrounding education funding, race and equity. EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls in partnership with the Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​. This event was emceed by Adia Morris.

Presenter: Sara Spafford Freeman, Consultant, SFF Strategies and community organizer | December 8, 2021 Sara Spafford Freeman is a community organizer, parent and author of "Apartheid in Minneapolis: Racial Disparities in Five Local Systems." Sara has extensively studied PTAs and parent fundraising within Minneapolis Public Schools and argues that current systems perpetuate vast racial disparities. In this talk, she shared insight and data on how antiquated state funding models, school choice and segregation have resulted in stark inequities within districts like MPS, and the myriad ways parent fundraising contributes to widening these gaps. EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls in partnership with the Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​. This event was emceed by Adia Morris.

These four young speakers from the Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) believe in a youth-centered world where young people are excited to learn, be themselves and transform their communities. They will share how creating a youth-centered space through an equity lens requires three things: first, a shift in framework from youth as recipients of services to youth as partners; second, a dismantling of the hierarchical power structures that exist between youth and those in power; and third, a commitment to constant redefining and improvement. By reimagining the ways that we adults think about and work with youth, we can create more equitable spaces where young people can grow their self-confidence, better understand their peers and the world around them, and feel more empowered to effectively change their communities. EDTalks is a lively series of community conversations about public education and related issues that impact our young people. Each EDTalks features two compelling, short presentations by cutting-ed

Mikisha Nation carries a deep cultural understanding of the wisdom of youth voice that's influenced both by her personal experience of migrating from Jamaica to the U.S. as well as her role in leading youth development programs for low-income students, BIPOC and Indigenous students, and students from immigrant, multilingual and first-generation backgrounds. Elevating these diverse voices is often not prioritized in American culture: adults make decisions about the lives of young people all the time without their input and with far-reaching implications. Mikisha will explore five essential leadership lessons she’s gained from listening to young people and will also discuss how youth can have a powerful impact on adult leadership as they work to change power dynamics in education. She’ll draw from her personal experiences as a young immigrant, as a mother of young children who is navigating K-12 and postsecondary education systems, and as a dedicated professional working in the field of youth development for 20

Presenter: Ini Augustine, Founder, Project Nandi | May 4, 2021. Technology was designed by and for white people to the detriment of BIPOC people and experiences in all areas of life. Ini Augustine will discuss white supremacy in the technology field and how it impacts education, particularly for children of color. She’ll share her lived experiences as a Black woman in hostile educational and workplace environments, and her work as founder of Project Nandi, which is restoring educational access to children of color during the COVID-19 pandemic. She will also map the ways that the digital divide harms children of color by criminalizing them, keeping them in poverty, and excluding them from education – traumas that all carry into adulthood. EDTalks is co-sponsored by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation. Video editing by Jeff Achen at http://www.callsign51.com​. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​. This event was emcee

Presenter: Chastity Lord, President & CEO, Jeremiah Program | May 4, 2021. Generational poverty is perpetuated by an ecosystem of unjust policies and correlating structures that disproportionately impact communities of color. Chastity Lord will share her insights on the connections between generational poverty and systemic racism, and how communities that experience poverty have far less access to quality education and other basic services. She will also demonstrate how education can disrupt the cycle of generational poverty through a focus on career-track college education, high-quality early childhood education, empowerment and life skills training, and supportive communities. EDTalks is co-sponsored by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​. This event was emceed by Adia Morris.

Dr. Courtney Bell-Duncan, a passionate educator, education consultant and founder of Courtney S. Bell Consulting LLC, works to co-create educational equity solutions with PreK-12 educational institutions. While serving as a classroom teacher, she witnessed the power of caring relationships and high expectations for children. She later went on to become an educational leader and consultant with the goal of spreading her love of education more broadly. A proud graduate of North High Community High School, Courtney attended the University of Minnesota, where she completed her BA in Sociology, her M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction and Ph.D. In Education Policy and Leadership. In 2018 she was a finalist for the 2018 Minnesota Teacher of the Year Award. In this talk, Courtney will discuss how culturally responsive pedagogy has the power to counter and actively disarm epistemic violence against K-12 schools. She will also lay a foundation for transformational shifts in thinking about culture in schools and the broa

This EDTalks is titled “Let’s Talk About Race in School” Our featured speaker is Derek Francis. Derek Francis is a passionate and experienced school counselor who approaches his work from a proactive and equity-based space.  He currently serves as the manager of counseling services for Minneapolis Public Schools, where he specializes in helping students and staff build trusting cross-cultural relationships. He has presented at conferences throughout the country including the American School Counselors Association, Minnesota School Counselors Association, Texas School Counselors Association and Wisconsin School Counselors Association. He recently led a webinar for over 20,000 U.S. counselors and educators on “Proactive School Counseling After a Major Racial Incident.” Derek’s published work includes contributions to Contemporary Case Studies in School Counseling, a recent blog entitled “This Is Not A Fire Drill – Supporting students after George Floyd” and articles for the American School Counselors Associatio

This EDTalks is titled “Developing an Equity Leadership Identity” Our featured speaker is Dr. Lanise Block. Dr. Block is a highly experienced educator who has served as a teacher, program coordinator, content lead for K-12 social studies, technology integration specialist and strategic project administrator. She is currently an adjunct professor at of the University of St. Thomas School of Education, Hamline University’s Center for Excellence in Urban Teaching, Metropolitan State University’s School of Urban Education and Augsburg School of Education. Her research interests include the digital divide, advocacy and inclusion. Dr. Block is also the founder of Sankore Counsulting, which fosters creative leadership in organizations and builds capacity in equity, diversity and innovation from the classroom to the boardroom. She holds a B.A. from Drake University and master’s and doctorate degrees in education from the University of St. Thomas. This virtual EDTalk was live streamed online on January 14, 2021. EDTa

This EDTalks is titled “Where is Mental Health in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Work?” Our featured speaker is Jamil Stamschror-Lott. Jamil is a mental health professional who practices psychotherapy with individuals, hosts community healing sessions, and works with businesses to incorporate mental health, diversity and inclusion through a therapeutic lens. Jamil and his wife Sara co-founded Creative Kuponya, an organization that focuses on out-of-the-box, community-based and creative methodologies to bring about healing for individuals, communities and businesses.  Jamil also teaches diversity and equity courses in Augsburg University’s graduate social work program. He has been named a Mentor of the Year by New Lens Urban Mentoring, and received Marquette University’s Young Alumni of the Year award in 2014. He holds a B.A. in sociology from Marquette University and a master’s degree in clinical social work from Augsburg University. This virtual EDTalk was live streamed online on January 14, 2021. EDTalks

This EDTalks is titled “Developing an Equity Leadership Identity” Our featured speaker is Dr. Lanise Block. Dr. Block is a highly experienced educator who has served as a teacher, program coordinator, content lead for K-12 social studies, technology integration specialist and strategic project administrator. She is currently an adjunct professor at of the University of St. Thomas School of Education, Hamline University’s Center for Excellence in Urban Teaching, Metropolitan State University’s School of Urban Education and Augsburg School of Education. Her research interests include the digital divide, advocacy and inclusion. Dr. Block is also the founder of Sankore Counsulting, which fosters creative leadership in organizations and builds capacity in equity, diversity and innovation from the classroom to the boardroom. She holds a B.A. from Drake University and master’s and doctorate degrees in education from the University of St. Thomas. This virtual EDTalk was live streamed online on January 14, 2021. EDTa

EDTalks: From "Adequate" to "Quality" by EDTalksMN

There’s a clear connection between academic failure, delinquency and crime. Students who aren’t proficient in reading by fourth grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. And students who drop out of high school are over three times more likely to be arrested in their lifetime. When 85% of children in our juvenile court system are not literate, this is a clarion call to action. Dr. Artika Tyner will share strategies to promote literacy and end the school to prison pipeline, and provide details on her new book and community outreach program, Leaders are Readers, which promotes literacy, raises cultural awareness and fosters leadership development. You’ll come away feeling a greater sense of urgency to make change and gain new tools to make a difference in your community. Presenter: Dr. Artika R. Tyner is a passionate educator, author and advocate for justice. A professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, she is founding director of the school’s Center on Race, Leadership and Soc

Too often our education systems work to “fix” black male students rather than recognizing the systemic racism inherent in these systems and the tremendous harm they inflict on students. The Minneapolis Public Schools Office of Black Student Achievement (OBSA, formerly Office of Black Male Student Achievement) was created in 2014 to address our city’s wide racial disparities in education and provide targeted support for black students. Director Michael Walker will explore common misperceptions of black males, how these beliefs shape education practices, and how OBSA engages students, families, teachers and community members to provide support, build confidence and change outcomes for these young people. Presenter: Michael Walker is a highly experienced leader in youth development and assisting black youth to achieve success. As the inaugural director for the Office for Black Male Student Achievement (now the Office for Black Student Achievement), he works to expand support and change outcomes for black studen

Author Junauda Petrus-Nasah shares her journey of researching queerness within Black American and Black Caribbean culture for her young adult novel, The Stars and The Blackness Between Them, which is about queer young Black love across the diaspora, mass incarceration, astrology, ancestral magic, Whitney Houston and trusting your sacredness despite oppression and heartbreak. Junauda’s work is inspired by the absence of examples of herself within popular text as a young person and how that has played out in both her life and her work. This EDTalk was recorded in front of a live audience at Icehouse in Minneapolis on March 2, 2020. EDTalks is co-sponsored by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation and Comcast. Audio production by https://www.soundspowerful.com. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN.

Youth who identify as girls face broad challenges such as sexual harassment, barriers to academic success and unique health disparities, compounded by the intersections of race, sexual orientation, ability, and socioeconomic class. Data shows there is a tremendous need for programming and policies that focus solely on the needs of girls and young women to compensate for the gender stereotypes present in our communities and the gender inequities built into our systems, including the education system. Girls Inc. is a national expert in girls-only and pro-girls programming and inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. In this EDTalk, Louise and Sophie, two youth leaders at Girls Inc. at YWCA Minneapolis, and Elena, Girls Inc. after-school coordinator, talk about what we can all learn about the impacts of gender-specific programming, as well as ways to create pro-girl environments in gendered and co-ed spaces. This EDTalk was recorded in front of a live audience at Icehouse in Minneapolis on March 2, 20