We are seeking sessions that align with this year's theme "DOING SCHOOL WITH DIGNITY".    Two formats are available.  On June 7, the conference will open and feature online presentations that are each 50 minutes and recorded and placed on the website. On June 8, there will be a Networking Breakfast Coffee at 8:00 with 3 Hour Hands-On Interactive Workshops from 8:30 to 11:30.  PD Hours will be provided for both the online and in-person format.  There is no charge for the June 7 Online Conference.  The conference fee on June 8 is $35.

Descriptions for each strand are listed below.  Please visit the Professional Development Network website found at https://sites.google.com/view/center-for-success-pdn/home for more information and examples of previous conference sessions.

EQUITY AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING
Equity is a verb.  It means taking action and leveraging collective strengths to ensure all students have opportunities for success. Every student brings unique assets to the classroom. When we are brave enough to learn and value new perspectives, we open ourselves up to the possibility of growth. Let’s strengthen our classroom and school environments by learning about our communities and their rich resources, our families and the assets they bring to any educational endeavor, implicit bias, the Illinois Culturally Relevant Teaching & Learning Standards, the science behind culturally responsive teaching, and paths we can explore to bring about change.  Likewise, the social studies standards and mandates suggest the need to consider our curriculum and learn through a variety of lenses.  This strand invites strategies and ways to acknowledge communities, individual differences, opportunities to welcome and belong, and in addition, provide each individual student what they need to be successful.

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND WELL BEING
Highlighted by the challenges of the global, national, and local crises, work in the Social and Emotional Learning Strand is more important than ever! Remote learning and safety measures in the physical classroom call for innovative practices to build community in the classroom and help students develop self-awareness, and responsible decision making. This strand focuses on topics integral to implementing the Social and Emotional Learning Standards that are integral to all student learning. Sessions may focus on trauma and trauma informed practices or research that informs practice particularly with considerations to the Pandemic and the need to help youth connect with each other, teachers, and education.

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT, TEACHING & LEARNING PRACTICES
Student Engagement, Teaching & Learning challenges our assumptions about how to design learning experiences that are equitable, rigorous, and motivating. The science of learning inspires us to create high impact, experiential, cross-disciplinary practices. Exploring new pathways in which students are co-creators of multi-sensory learning, as well as spaces that amplify student voice and autonomy.  This session invites presenters to share innovative and motivating practices for all students.

Proposals are DUE April 30 by midnight. Acceptances will be sent by May 5. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Jan Fitzsimmons, jan@center4success.com .