Past Conferences 2017 Amplify The first Amplify launched in 2017 to provide a safe space for educators of color to come together to connect, share experiences and learn how to excel in their classrooms and beyond. It was part of the Kauffman Foundation’s education strategy to attract, develop, and retain a pipeline of quality teachers and leaders of color with the goal to change the ratio of teachers of color to students of color in our public school systems. Friday, March 3, 2017 The conference kicked off at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center with networking and welcoming remarks by Tonya Guinn and Earl Martin Phalen. Stand for Children’s co-founder, Jonah Edelman, was the opening keynote. He shared his insight on America’s struggle for equity: Our History, Current Context and Opportunities for the future. Saturday, March 4, 2017 On Saturday, Mayor Sly James and Kansas City Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell welcomed the attendees during breakfast. Dena Simmons followed with an opening keynote titled “Imposter Syndrome; Who gets it? What can we do about it?” Breakout I Create Your Own Path: What opportunities exist for teachers and leaders of color in Kansas CityFacilitated by Sarah Reape, Jeffrey Shafer, Sonya Anderson, Juan Fernandez, Eric Shed, Charles King, Chris Rosson, Nicole Veltze, and Kathy Black Kansas City has been thinking about talent strategically for years. This group created and built a pipeline that allows for a long career in education with lots of support. Student Voices Facilitated by George Deveney What do students of color want from teachers? What teacher actions help them thrive? What teacher actions set them back? Participants heard from a group of KC students about what they need and want from teachers and leaders. Navigating the Politics as a Person of Color Invested in Reform Facilitated by Kira Orange-Jones Participants in this session were asked to answer the following questions. Are you committed to education reform? Do you want to make the system better? Do you struggle because you do not feel represented by that movement? In the session, they heard learned possible ways to navigate this difficult terrain. The Power of Book Choice Facilitated by Bijoun Jordan and Isoke Titilayo Nia In this session, participants were asked. How do you infuse positive, strong messages for students of color in the books that you choose for your class? What authors of color are there that speak to your experience? How can you use books to coach students through complex parts of their lives? Leadership and Social Justice. How we engage students and educators in meaningful projects that confront real-life issues of equity, racism, sexism, etc.,Facilitated by Winston Cox This session discussed how we can ground our schools’ missions and identities in social justice activism. I’ll share some examples of creative partnerships and projects that I’ve helped lead over my 20 years in public schools, pre-K through High School. Teaching in Shared Racial Identity Learning Environments Facilitated by Hewit Senghor and Dr. Kelly Gunn During this session, teachers learned how to define a shared racial identity learning environment and discussed possible implications for maximizing it. Participants will walk away with practical reflections on how to push their practice to better serve in SRILE spaces. Self Care Facilitated by Darius Mensuh K-12 educators face some of the highest burnout rates among public service employees. A myriad of forces, external and personal, contribute to burnout-related stress. However, the calling of teaching need not come at such a high price. Learn strategies and explore mindsets of self-care for those of us who care for others. Hilary Beard signs her book “Promises Kept: Raising Black Boys to Succeed in School and in Life,” published 2013. Keynote Keeping the Promise: 5 Findings from “Promises Kept” That Promote High Achievement Among Students of Color – Now! Hilary Beard, author Hilary Beard, award-Winning writer and editor, was the afternoon keynote speaker. Ending poverty, funding schools equally, and closing the racial wealth gap aren’t within our power, but we can create environments at home and at school that facilitate high academic achievement among students of color of all socioeconomic backgrounds. This presentation sets forth 5 research-based, revenue-neutral approaches parents and educators can implement to promote high academic performance now. Breakout II “Unconference” Facilitated by Murray Woodard Are there issues facing educators of color that you are eager to address? Are there supports/resources needed yet unavailable to you? Is there a topic that you wanted to discuss but don’t see? Do you have a radical idea you’d like to share? Come to this unstructured session and help identify issues and explore solutions. Bring ideas and issues you’d like to discuss. This is a safe space to engage in authentic dialogue and address the real challenges facing educators of color. Designing Professional Development FOR Teachers of Color BY Teachers of Color Facilitated by Travis Bristol This interactive session provided in-service teachers of color with concrete recommendations for designing a professional development initiative that can tend to the unique school-based challenges teachers of color experience. Participants were able to see examples of how other school districts are designing efforts to recruit, support, and retain teachers of color. Ladies in Leadership Facilitated by Laina Cox This session was a roundtable discussion about the issues women face being a “boss” and not labeled as “bossy”. Participants were asked to come to the session with a dilemma they were facing to get ideas and solutions from fellow ladies in leadership! They were equipped to walk away with a new “sisterhood” network of ideas. Education for Liberation – The Black Male Educator Experience and ChangeFacilitated by Sharif El-Mekki, William Hayes, Vincent Cobb, and Jovan Weaver Students must be taught to have their eyes wide open. Anything short of that is not setting them up for success in the “Real World”. Members of “The Fellowship” shared why we need more men of color in our school buildings and what to do what should be done when they get there. How Do We Amplify! The Voices of Teachers and Leaders of Color Facilitated by Amanda Fernandez, Carmita Semaan, and Layla Avila A discussion from three amazing leaders who run organizations provided support for educators of color. Latinos for Education, EdLoC and Surge Institute are not being the voice of the voiceless; they are helping pass the mic. Closing Keynote Remarks and Call to ActionsAntonio Pares, policy director for the City and County of Denver, Colorado What, so what, now what?!? What action steps will we take to Amplify one another’s voices?