Teaching for Justice Conference returns for third annual event, focusing on communities of care
Hosted by the UC Irvine School of Education’s Teacher Academy, the event invites hundreds of K-12 educators to learn from educational leaders making positive impacts on students as they implement Asian American Studies into classrooms across the nation.
Irvine, Calif., April 8, 2024 – The UC Irvine School of Education Teacher Academy will host its third annual Teaching for Justice Conference, spotlighting the theme of “Communities of Care.” The two-day conference created and led by K-12 educators and advocates will be held on May 17-18, 2024, and will feature a hybrid format with Day 1 hosted virtually and Day 2 convening in-person at the UC Irvine Student Center on campus.
Aligned with Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, this year's conference seeks to deepen the integration of care into classrooms and communities through the lens of Asian American studies pedagogy and practice. |
“The conference showcases the expertise of community-centered researchers, teachers, and students to amplify the essential work already being done in our communities to advance Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Studies. By coming together, we will strengthen and sustain a learning community that is committed to the care of one another in order to collectively advance equitable learning outcomes for all students,” said Nicole F. Gilbertson, director of the UC Irvine School of Education Teacher Academy.
The conference will feature sessions, workshops and keynote presentations guided by discussion around participating in and building care communities in education, as well as ways collaboration, compassion and collective wisdom can increase inclusive and supportive learning environments. Presenters include K-12 educators and students along with scholars and activists. Registered participants will have access to teaching resources and recordings of select sessions for further engagement.
Keynote speakers include:
“The UC Irvine School of Education Teacher Academy is the embodiment of a community of care that is committed to strengthening the support system for educators across California and the nation. Our Teaching for Justice Conference gives teachers and education leaders a vital space to share their perspectives and experiences, and work together to create a more inclusive learning environment where every student thrives," said Frances Contreras, UC Irvine School of Education dean and professor.
Throughout the event, attendees can anticipate:
The Teaching for Justice Conference is an annual event that convenes educators, researchers and community organizers to explore issues of equity, inclusion and social justice in education. Grounded in principles of collaboration and collective action, the Teaching for Justice Conference creates a space for educators to collaborate and learn with each other in the pursuit of educational transformation.
The conference will feature sessions, workshops and keynote presentations guided by discussion around participating in and building care communities in education, as well as ways collaboration, compassion and collective wisdom can increase inclusive and supportive learning environments. Presenters include K-12 educators and students along with scholars and activists. Registered participants will have access to teaching resources and recordings of select sessions for further engagement.
Keynote speakers include:
- Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales - "What Educators Can Learn from Ethnic Studies: Growing Communities Rooted in Love and Collective Liberation"
- Kristina Wong, Theodore Chao, Anna Michelle Wang, and Jenessa Joffe - "Cramming for Justice: Auntie Kristina’s Guide to Asian American Activism"
“The UC Irvine School of Education Teacher Academy is the embodiment of a community of care that is committed to strengthening the support system for educators across California and the nation. Our Teaching for Justice Conference gives teachers and education leaders a vital space to share their perspectives and experiences, and work together to create a more inclusive learning environment where every student thrives," said Frances Contreras, UC Irvine School of Education dean and professor.
Throughout the event, attendees can anticipate:
- Broadening knowledge bases through active and empathetic listening to diverse experiences, fostering connections and understanding.
- Providing models of culturally-sustaining pedagogy that honor and celebrate community funds of knowledge.
- Building community and collective wisdom with education advocates committed to a more inclusive, supportive, and joy-filled K-12 education system.
The Teaching for Justice Conference is an annual event that convenes educators, researchers and community organizers to explore issues of equity, inclusion and social justice in education. Grounded in principles of collaboration and collective action, the Teaching for Justice Conference creates a space for educators to collaborate and learn with each other in the pursuit of educational transformation.
About the Teacher Academy
The UCI Teacher Academy provides a home for teachers and school leaders to develop and enhance their professional practice and inspire and lead others in transforming instruction. The Teacher Academy sees practitioners as the agents of change for improving educational opportunities and educational systems broadly for youth, and seeks to leverage and advance research on teaching and teacher development and provide opportunities for teachers and school leaders to generate and inform research and practice. These efforts are in service of providing more equitable, socially-just and meaningful classroom experiences – particularly for students from underserved communities – that can lead to equitable educational outcomes.
About the UC Irvine School of Education
The University of California, Irvine School of Education is a diverse, dynamic and collaborative institution focused on advancing education sciences and contributing to improved high-quality education opportunities and outcomes for individuals across the education lifespan, from early childhood to higher education and beyond. The UCI School of Education’s programs, research and community partnerships are dedicated to producing innovative scholarship, addressing the needs in education, and inspiring future generations of educators, scholars and leaders. U.S. News & World Report ranks the UCI School of Education No. 8 education and education research school globally and, nationally, No. 4 among public schools of education for a second year in a row and No. 11 graduate school of education. Led by Dean Frances Contreras, the UCI School of Education is home to more than 1,000 students enrolled in the bachelor, master and doctoral degree programs, and a vibrant network of more than 10,000 alumni. For more information, please visit our website.
The UCI Teacher Academy provides a home for teachers and school leaders to develop and enhance their professional practice and inspire and lead others in transforming instruction. The Teacher Academy sees practitioners as the agents of change for improving educational opportunities and educational systems broadly for youth, and seeks to leverage and advance research on teaching and teacher development and provide opportunities for teachers and school leaders to generate and inform research and practice. These efforts are in service of providing more equitable, socially-just and meaningful classroom experiences – particularly for students from underserved communities – that can lead to equitable educational outcomes.
About the UC Irvine School of Education
The University of California, Irvine School of Education is a diverse, dynamic and collaborative institution focused on advancing education sciences and contributing to improved high-quality education opportunities and outcomes for individuals across the education lifespan, from early childhood to higher education and beyond. The UCI School of Education’s programs, research and community partnerships are dedicated to producing innovative scholarship, addressing the needs in education, and inspiring future generations of educators, scholars and leaders. U.S. News & World Report ranks the UCI School of Education No. 8 education and education research school globally and, nationally, No. 4 among public schools of education for a second year in a row and No. 11 graduate school of education. Led by Dean Frances Contreras, the UCI School of Education is home to more than 1,000 students enrolled in the bachelor, master and doctoral degree programs, and a vibrant network of more than 10,000 alumni. For more information, please visit our website.