The 19th Annual ART of TEACHING Conference brought together more than 500 educators at the Long Beach Convention Center on September 14th. The Conference drew together a stellar group of presenters who inspired attendees with their diverse perspectives on education, equity, and literacy.
Keynote Speaker Dr. Carla Shalaby delivered a thought-provoking address on education as a practice of freedom. She emphasized the importance of protecting children’s dignity and fostering their rights to expression and self-determination, drawing from her acclaimed book Troublemakers: Lessons in Freedom from Young Children at School.
Attendees were moved by an Author Talk with Minh Lê, the award-winning author of Drawn Together and Built to Last. Minh shared his own family stories and the power of diverse narratives in children’s literature.
Tricia Ebarvia, co-founder of #DisruptTexts, offered powerful reflections on literacy instruction rooted in equity and liberation. As the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Greene Street Friends School, Tricia shared her extensive experience in fostering critical literacy in classrooms.
Dr. Megan Franke from UCLA provided an in-depth exploration of how teachers can support the development of children’s mathematical thinking, while Dr. Pamela Seda, an Atlanta-based consultant, discussed her work in transforming math instruction through a culturally relevant lens.
Alex Shevrin Venet, author of Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Education, led a compelling session on justice and healing in schools, emphasizing the importance of supporting educators as change-makers in their communities.
Keisha Smith-Carrington, an administrator from New Jersey, highlighted her journey in transforming schools into inclusive spaces, sharing her expertise in building community and cultural competency through literacy.
Dr. Jessica Thompson of the University of Washington spoke on educational justice in science teaching. Her research-practice partnerships offer valuable insights into how teachers and leaders can create culturally responsive science classrooms.
This year’s conference was a powerful reminder of the collective impact educators can have when they come together to share ideas and advocate for transformative practices.
