Thursday Breakout Sessions

Thursday Breakout Sessions

Thursday, June 18

9:40–10:30 AM Breakout Sessions

Gifted Education — Equity, Advocacy, and Access

In Partnership with the Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented and the Arizona Department of Education

Join gifted educators, district leaders, parent advocates, and state partners from across Arizona for a collaborative conversation focused on strengthening gifted education through community engagement, family advocacy, and equitable access. Explore strategies for building connected gifted communities, developing strong parent groups, and using data-informed decision-making to improve identification and representation of advanced learners. Participants will leave with practical resources, new connections, and actionable ideas to expand opportunities for gifted students across Arizona.

Knowledge is Power: Teaching for Instructional Equity

Presenter: Dr. Joyce Jamerson
Liberated living starts with dreaming big and building motivation, skills, & knowledge. Close
literacy gaps with strategic moves and resource audits on cultural depth, knowledge building,
and differentiation to develop skilled readers and leaders!

Strand: Culturally Responsive Practices that Advances Academic Achievement

Early Identification, Intervention, and Equity: Addressing the Urgent Need for Holistic Support for Young Black Boys

Presenter: Comel Belin, PhD
This presentation examines the urgent need for early identification and intervention for young
Black boys in schools. It explores how behavioral concerns are often misinterpreted, leading to
exclusionary discipline and delayed access to supports.

Strand: Culturally Responsive Practices that Advances Academic Achievement

Building Resilience in Schools: Practical Mental Health Strategies for Teachers and Students

Presenter: Cedric Collins
This presentation provides practical mental health strategies to support the well-being of
teachers and students. Participants will explore techniques for stress management, resilience
building, mindfulness, and creating supportive school environments. The session emphasizes
proactive approaches that promote emotional wellness, improve communication, and strengthen
academic and social success across school communities.

Strand: Community and Family Partnerships

10:40–11:30 AM Breakout Sessions

From Classroom Practice to Instructional Leadership: How Aspiring Leaders Influence Teaching and Learning

Presenter: Dr. Pamela Chandler
Strong leadership begins with strong teaching. This session explores how educators build
leadership influence through effective instructional practices that increase student engagement,
strengthen collaboration, and support schoolwide improvement.

Strand: Teach to Lead Passages

Together We Rise—The Power of Afrocentric Playlists in Classrooms

Presenter: Alisa Johnson, M.Ed
This presentation explores the value of integrating Afrocentric playlists in the classroom to
cultivate an inclusive, high engagement learning environment that encourages students to rise,
engage critically with lyrics and explore Black excellence.

Strand: Culturally Responsive Practices that Advances Academic Achievement

The Seven Silent Barriers: What Disrupts Connection and Communication
and How to Remove It

Presenter: Prof. Rico McCoy Burton
A fast‑paced session that shows how perception shapes our reality and influences our
interactions and relationships, with practical strategies to reflect, reframe, and reset when
assumptions lead us off track.

Strand: Educator Leadership and Growth

Rooted in Brilliance: Cultivating Culturally Responsive Classrooms from Early Learning to Leadership

Presenter: Janet Wright-Moore
Start early. Start rooted. Start right. This high-energy session centers culturally responsive
practice as the foundation for excellence. Affirm identity, nurture brilliance, and ensure Black
children and all children thrive from the start.

Strand: Early Learning Foundations

1:30–2:20 PM Breakout Sessions

Literacy as Liberation: Culturally Responsive Literacy for Adolescent Success

Presenter: Dr. Lynn Daniel
Empower adolescent learners with culturally responsive literacy strategies grounded in research
and real classroom practice. Learn high‑impact approaches that build language, affirm identity,
and expand access to academic success.

Strand: Culturally Responsive Practices that Advances Academic Achievement

Investing in Their Future

Presenter: Donna Dempsey
Explore how investing using the Stock Market Game builds critical thinking, teamwork, and
financial literacy. Learn to engage students with real-world investing using ready-to-use
resources—no investing experience needed.

Strand: Cultivating Student Gifts and Talents

Beyond the Classroom: Building Community-Centered Schools That Empower Black Students

Presenter: Jermaine Shakespeare
Explore how schools can become community-centered hubs that empower Black students.
Learn practical strategies for family engagement, mentorship, and partnerships that support
student success beyond the classroom.

Strand: Community and Family Partnerships

It’s Not Trendy-It’s Foundational: Leading Beyond Initiative Overload to Black Student Excellence

Presenter: Racquel Stephenson

Equity isn’t trendy-it’s foundational. Learn how to move beyond initiative overload, align priorities, and lead with clarity to create culturally responsive, high-impact systems that center Black student excellence.

Strand: Transformational Leadership and Systems Change

2:30–3:20 PM Breakout Sessions

Early Learning: Reframing School Readiness

In Partnership with First Things First and Booker T. Washington Child Development & Family Services

Facilitated by Dr. Evandra Catherine, Arizona State University professor and early childhood researcher, this Summit Collaborative brings together PreK–3rd grade educators, school leaders, and community partners to reimagine what it means for schools to be ready for every child. Through collaborative table discussions, participants will explore relationship-centered practices, responsive learning environments, engaging instruction, and strong family and community partnerships that support young learners during their foundational years. Together, attendees will examine challenges, share promising practices, and identify strategies that foster curiosity, strengthen school readiness, and support student success across the early learning continuum.

What Students Carry: Partnering with Families to Support the Whole Child

Presenter: Mrs. Kylah Seabrooks
Explore how to build strong family partnerships, strengthen communication, and create culturally responsive environments that support the whole child. Gain strategies to build trust and strengthen school-home connections.

Strand: Community and Family Partnerships

Leading from the Middle: How Educators Create Impact Without Formal Authority

Presenter: Dr. Francesca Nesfield
This session explores how educators can lead and create meaningful impact without formal authority by using relationships, advocacy, communication, and strategic leadership to strengthen programs, support students, and influence change.

Strand: Educator Leadership and Growth

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