View Thursday Breakout Sessions

9:40–10:30 AM Breakout Sessions

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

Presenter: Prof. Rico McCoy Burton

Strand: Educator Leadership and Growth

Description: 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.

Session Title: Knowledge is Power: Teaching for Instructional Equity

Presenter: Dr. Joyce Jamerson

Strand: Culturally Responsive Practices that Advances Academic Achievement

Description: 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!

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

Presenter: Comel Belin, PhD

Strand: Culturally Responsive Practices that Advances Academic Achievement

Description: 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.

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

Presenter: Cedric Collins

Strand: Community and Family Partnerships

Description: 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.

10:40–11:30 AM Breakout Sessions

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

Presenter: Dr. Pamela Chandler

Strand: Teach to Lead Passages

Description: 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.

Session Title: Together We Rise—The Power of Afrocentric Playlists in Classrooms

Presenter: Alisa Johnson, M.Ed

Strand: Culturally Responsive Practices that Advances Academic Achievement

Description: 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.

Session Title: Regulated Adults, Regulated Classrooms: The Missing Link in Student Behavior

Presenter: Kylah Seabrooks

Strand: Safety, Health, and Wellness

Description: Create safe, supportive classrooms by strengthening adult regulation. Learn trauma-informed and restorative strategies to de-escalate behavior, support student well-being, and build a positive, resilient classroom culture.

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

Presenter: Janet Wright-Moore

Strand: Early Learning Foundations

Description: 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

1:30–2:20 PM Breakout Sessions

Session Title: Literacy as Liberation: Culturally Responsive Literacy for Adolescent Success

Presenter: Dr. Lynn Daniel

Strand: Culturally Responsive Practices that Advances Academic Achievement

Description: 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.

Session Title: Investing in Their Future

Presenter: Donna Dempsey

Strand: Cultivating Student Gifts and Talents

Description: 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.

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

Presenter: Jermaine Shakespeare

Strand: Community and Family Partnerships

Description: 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.

Session Title: To Be Seen is To Be Valued

Presenter: Anahi Montelongo Nevarez

Strand: Cultivating Student Gifts and Talents

Description: Explore the power of Black and Brown solidarity, community, and belonging in education through personal reflection and meaningful dialogue. Participants will examine how culturally affirming relationships, mutual support, and inclusive learning environments help students recognize their potential, thrive academically, and feel empowered within their communities

2:30–3:20 PM Breakout Sessions

Session Title: Early Learning Collaborative

Partnership: Presented in Partnership with First Things First

Facilitated by: Dr. Evandra Catherine (Researcher/Professor at ASU) & Jevin Hodge (President of Booker T. Washington Child Development & Family Services)

Description: Designed to bring together PreK–3rd grade educators for meaningful collaborative discussions focused on strengthening support for young learners during their foundational years. As students begin state testing in 3rd grade, the session is designed to strengthen collaboration across the early learning continuum and support long-term student success through stronger instructional, developmental, and family partnerships. This featured session is intended to elevate educator voice, foster meaningful collaboration, and help establish an ongoing cohort of educators committed to continued partnership throughout the school year.

Session Title: Gifted Education Table Talks — Equity, Advocacy, and Access

Partnership: Presented in Partnership with Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented (AAGT)

Led by: Jessica Zimmerman (AAGT President)

Description: This featured interactive session brings educators, administrators, specialists, counselors, and advocates together for collaborative table talk discussions focused on advancing equitable gifted education practices across Arizona schools. Participants will explore critical issues impacting gifted and advanced learners, including equitable identification and access, support for multilingual and English Learner students, twice-exceptional (2e) learners, culturally responsive practices, and systemic barriers that often prevent underserved students from fully participating in gifted programming. Designed to move beyond conversation toward action, this session will also help inform future collaboration and continued dialogue focused on expanding equity, access, and excellence.

Session Title: Dreamscape Learn Experience

Led by: Richard Yarbough

Description: Step into the future of education through an immersive Dreamscape Learn experience designed to reimagine student engagement, innovation, and access in learning. Participants will explore how virtual reality and experiential learning are transforming classrooms by allowing students to journey inside scientific concepts, historical settings, and interactive environments that bring learning to life. Attendees will gain insight into how immersive technology can increase student engagement, expand access to innovative learning opportunities, and inspire students to see themselves as explorers, creators, and problem-solvers. This experience reflects the Summit’s commitment to innovation, equity, and expanding what is possible for students and schools.

View Thursday Breakout Sessions

View Thursday Breakout Sessions

9:40–10:30 AM Breakout Sessions

10:40–11:30 AM Breakout Sessions

1:30–2:20 PM Breakout Sessions

2:30–3:20 PM Breakout Sessions

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