Transforming Education for Social Justice Conference: Rooted Together – Our Strength is Each Other

This is the fifth Transforming Education for Social Justice conference for PK-12 educators, pre-service teachers, school and district leaders, students and community members in Massachusetts to gather and see what we can all figure out together about creating more equitable classrooms, schools, and communities. Youth are central to our conference and shape the experience in various ways including through presentations, planning, and creating the vibes. Since our first conference in 2017, our regional networks of dedicated social justice educators and youth leaders have deepened and expanded across western Mass., and beyond. This year's conference theme is Rooted Together: Our Strength is Each Other. We are surrounded by stories of resilience and resistance. History tells us that in moments like this, our greatest strength has always been each other, and what becomes possible when we coordinate is more than any of us could do alone. Our collective work is rooted in the organizing, solidarity, and community care that earlier generations drew on to protect and sustain their schools and their young people. There's more strength and hard-won wisdom we can lean on not only to get through a hard stretch but to build the schools and communities we actually want and deserve. This year we are organizing the day around three threads: how we connect across our roles and communities, how we protect the students and educators most targeted, and how we build the schools we all actually want. So come for the joy and friendship. Stay for the strategy, tools, and people. Leave rooted, ready, and connected. Conference sessions will cover a variety of social justice and equity topics as they relate to K-12 schools. Join us for: A powerful keynote session and closing session Two opportunities (morning and afternoon) to choose workshop sessions focused on topics and initiatives for social justice and equity in education Opportunities for powerful networking and connections with local educators and administrators as you share curriculum, lunch and facilitated conversation Time to laugh and play with old and new friends Youth-led sessions that provide opportunities to learn from young people and support the development of student leadership Conference tracks include Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary, Youth-Led, School and District Leaders. Learn more about the Conference and call for proposals here. Do you want to contribute to the Transforming Education Conference? Support our students to attend for free. If you are able, please make a donation so we can keep this event free for students and low-cost for you! $35 will cover the cost of attending for a student; but no donation is too small and we're grateful for whatever you may be able to give. All donations are tax-deductible. Transportation: We are working on coordinating possible transportation from Springfield to the conference in Easthampton. If this would be of interest to you, please be sure to fill out the survey that will be mailed in your confirmation once you've registered. *If you are a student, parent/guardian accompanying a student, or speaker/facilitator, please register here.