The Transforming Education for Social Justice Conference is a regional conference that brings together educators, students, community organizers, higher education professionals, and attendees across all of New England who are committed to transforming society with young people.
Participants at this regional conference will examine the specific challenges that young people are facing in our schools which are central to their lives and vitality of our communities. As we examine these challenges, we will also look to each other for community assets, visions, and practices that can guide our work towards transforming education for social justice.
Conference sessions will cover a variety of social justice and equity topics as they relate to K-12 schools. Join us for:
- Workshops focused on regional topics and initiatives related to 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.
Click here for Conference Day Details like Session descriptions and parking information.
Keynote speakers:
Tem Blessed is a socially conscious Hip Hop Artist who has been making relevant music with a message for over a decade. Born in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa to Cape Verdean parents, his music and message are about social justice and sustainability and are designed to inspire the audience toward positive change and global responsibility.
Evelin Aquino is a Boricua/Dominicana from Western MA and Washington Heights, NYC. She is a graduate of UMass Amherst and has worked with hundreds of youth and communities across the country as an educator, trainer, mentor, and facilitator. Evelin has dedicated her life to social justice, utilizing the arts as a vehicle for empowerment and education toward liberation. She is deeply inspired and guided by the youth of today, her family, elders (especially her father), and ancestors.
Closing Performance:
We are so excited to welcome the First Generation Ensemble (a youth, theater performance group in Springfield) to perform their piece called “Mother Tongue” at the Transforming Education for Social Justice Conference!
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! $30 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.
Volunteer to help. We are actively seeking volunteers for the conference; please email Safire DeJong at sdejong@collaborative.org.