Learn more about our speakers.
Dr. Ivory A. Toldson
Ericka Ellis-Stewart
Through NSBA’s Center for Safe Schools and Dismantling Institutional Racism in Education (DIRE) initiative, you’ll examine the themes of DIRE through the lens of school safety and equity. Come explore the issues and take home solutions to provide healthy, safe, and inclusive schools.
Join in the Conversations to Support Safe and Inclusive School Climates
On the first day of the event, we aligned the work of the Center for Safe Schools and made connections between issues of institutional racism on areas such as student mental health and discipline. Day two leaned deeper into the role of the board in understanding and interrupting systemic impediments to safe and inclusive school environments. Links to some of the presentation slides and additional resources shared by some of the speakers are listed under the sessions in the schedule below.
Key Themes:
- Actions for Equity
- Social Emotional Learning
- Mental Health Supports
- Restorative Justice
- Creating Safe and Inclusive Schools
Day 1: July 13
1–5:10 p.m. EDT
1 - 1:50 pm ET Keynote—Aspire to Heal
Racial inequity, trauma, and limited social emotional support are real barriers to classroom teaching and learning. Join Ericka Ellis-Stewart, mental health advocate and former school board member as she shares why school districts can no longer afford to ignore the intersections of mental health, equity, and education. Learn why board members need to become mental health champions who use their budget and policy work to create school and district cultures that foster emotional wellness for students, staff, and educators.
Speaker: Ericka Ellis-Stewart, Managing Director, B.A.M.N. Enterprises, LLC and Director of Education & Advocacy, Mental Health America of Central Carolinas (MHA)
Resources:
The Things We Carry Video
The Biology of Toxic Stress Video
3 Bold Steps for School Community Change: A Toolkit for Community Leaders — Safe Schools Healthy Students
Equity in Mental Health Framework — The Steve Fund & The JED Foundation
Frequently Asked Questions About Shortages in School Psychology — NASP
Standards for School Social Work Services — NASW
Trauma-Informed Care Resources Guide — Crisis Prevention Institute
Student Performances–Newark Tech High School (NJ) and the National CARES Mentoring Movement
2:05 - 2:10 pm ET DIRE Presentation
Education leaders from around the country share what Dismantling Institutional Racism in Education (DIRE) means to them, how they are taking steps to address these challenges in their own communities, and how NSBA’s DIRE initiative is supporting their initiatives.
2:10 - 3:20 pm ET General Session–Rethinking the Role of the School Resource Officer (SRO)
Public schools were created to provide safe learning environments. Keeping in mind the impacts of COVID-19 and racial and mental health concerns, school districts must re-examine the use of School Resource Officers (SROs) and law enforcement in their communities. This session will bring together national experts to engage in a discussion on the full role of SROs in schools, and to provide districts with the key points to understand when making the decision if SROs are right for their educational community. And for districts utilizing SROs, this session will also offer best practices in selecting, training, and working with law enforcement to maximize their ability to serve as transformational figures in the school community.
Speakers: Mo Canady, Executive Director, NASRO; Kelly Vaillencourt, Director of Government Relations, NASP; Ashley Frazier, Director of Curriculum and Training, DARE America; and Judith Brown Dianis, Executive Director, Advancement Project
Moderator: Devin Del Palacio, Board Member, Tolleson Union High School District (AZ), Chair, NSBA National Council of Black School Board Members
3:35 - 4:15 pm ET Stories from the Field Presentations—Building Community to Promote Safe and Inclusive Schools
National experts in the areas of Social and Emotional Learning and Restorative Justice will share inspirational stories and lessons learned through their personal journeys. Presenters will focus on how to better meet the unique needs of each student by developing a deeper understanding of their backgrounds and needs, building relationships, and creating empowering environments to transform school climates.
Speakers: Dr. Benjamin Williams, Founding Principal Ron Brown HS; Dr. Mara Schiff, NACRJ Vice President/Criminology Professor FAU/Board member Indian River, FL; and Tanya Franklin, Board member LAUSD
4:15 pm ET - Close of Day 1 Stories from the Field Panel Discussion
This panel discussion will focus on the lessons learned from the presenters and how they can be applied to real world settings in the hopes of incorporating a comprehensive approach to promote inclusive environments and meet the unique needs of each student.
Moderator: Adam Lustig, Director, School Safety/Education & Training, NSBA
Day 2: July 14
1–4:30 p.m. EDT
1 - 1:50 pm ET Keynote—No BS (Bad Stats): Using Data for Equity
In No BS, Ivory A. Toldson uses data analysis, anecdotes, and powerful commentary to dispel common myths and challenge conventional beliefs about educating Black children. With provocative, engaging, and at times humorous prose, Toldson teaches educators, parents, advocates, and students how to avoid BS, raise expectations, and create an educational agenda for Black children that is based on good data, thoughtful analysis, and compassion.
Speaker: Ivory Toldson, President & CEO, QEM Network and Psychology Professor, Howard University
Student Performances–Newark Tech High School (NJ) and the National CARES Mentoring Movement
Education leaders from around the country share what Dismantling Institutional Racism in Education (DIRE) means to them, how they are taking steps to address these challenges in their own communities, and how NSBA’s DIRE initiative is supporting their initiatives.
2:10 - 2:40 pm ET General Session—Unfinished Learning: A Crisis with a Solution
This presentation will focus on strategies to solve unfinished learning: intensive tutoring, extended learning time, and the importance of strong relationships. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how to use research to guide policy solutions and to make investments that are right for this moment.
Speaker: Kayla Patrick, Senior P-12 Policy Analyst, Education Trust; and Terra Wallin Associate Director for P-12 Accountability and Special Projects, Education Trust
Resources:
5 Questions to Ask Districts About How They Will Use New Federal Funding to Support Students
Copilot: Teacher Stories
Let’s Not Forget About English Learners: Targeting Resources From the American Rescue Plan for Their Needs
Strategies to Solve Unfinished Learning
2:55 - 3:30 pm ET Stories from the Field Presentations—Actions for Inclusion
Local leaders in education and NSBA Equity Council members will discuss the role of inclusion in creating safe and supportive school climates. Presenters will share their personal and motivating stories that highlight actions to increase inclusion in all aspects of the school community.
Speakers: Diana Parente, Director of Athletics, Friends Academy and Former Executive Director of Athletics for DCPS; Jee Shim Deogracias, PhD, Director of Research and Evaluation, Breakthrough Collaborative; and Dr. Shavonna Holman, Vice President, Omaha Public Schools Board, CUBE Nominating and Steering Committee, NSBA
3:30 - 4:20 pm ET Stories from the Field Panel Discussion
This panel discussion will focus on the lessons learned from the presenters and how they can be applied to real world settings in the hopes of incorporating a comprehensive approach to promote inclusive environments and meet the unique needs of each student.
Moderator: Steve Gallon III, Chair, Council of Urban Boards of Education, NSBA and Board Member, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL
Resource for School Board Leaders
For the NSBA Equity Online Symposium we are excited to re-release the Reimagining School Board Leadership: Actions for Equity guide. This is a collaboration between NSBA’s Dismantling Institutional Racism in Education (DIRE) initiative and Center for Safe Schools that focuses on acknowledging and understanding current events and the historical issues of systemic racism in America. This resource establishes a drive for school boards to rise to the current challenges our school systems are facing to transform public education, with a focus on equitable access to world-class education for every student.
Registration
Registration is now closed.
Fee: $150
Includes all sessions on both days plus a link to the recording after the event is over.
Registration deadline is July 12 at 5 p.m. EDT.
Registered attendees will receive a link between 5-6 p.m. on June 12. Attendees will also be receiving two separate links to access both day one and day two. Please note that the email address used to register is the email the zoom meeting confirmation will be sent to.
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Get more school leaders involved and educated on equity and safety issues. Once you've registered, download these graphics and post to your social media channels and encourage others to attend with you. Embed the URL https://nsba.org/Events/Equity-Online-Symposium-2021-Summer and use #NSBAEquity.
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About Dismantling Institutional Racism in Education (DIRE)
As schools across the country responded to acts of systemic racism in the summer of 2020, NSBA launched the DIRE initiative to assist state school boards associations and other education leaders in addressing racial inequities. Learn more about DIRE.
About the Center for Safe Schools
NSBA’s Center for Safe Schools (CSS) provides a national forum and platform by which school district leaders and staff, students, parents, and communities can educate, engage, and be empowered to ensure that schools are a safe place to learn and grow. Learn more about CSS.
Equity Councils
NSBA Councils offer unique opportunities for school board members and school leaders to get involved, strengthen their advocacy skills, and be part of a dynamic collaboration. Learn more, join a council, and be an active part of the solution for equity in our schools. Council members serve in an advisory capacity to the NSBA and promote quality education for all students with emphasis on the problems and successes of the students in their demographic area.