This interactive keynote will address how to navigate one of the biggest challenges educators face today — providing students with equitable and culturally inclusive learning opportunities. This talk will include detailed analysis on the varying levels of culture, addressing our social-emotional needs, and why we must ensure our students are provided a diverse and equitable educational experience. Further expanding on the primary purpose will be a look at how technology serves as both a needed and critical component to that end. Embedded within the keynote are personal narratives aligned with the central theme of incorporating both a culturally relevant and culturally responsive pedagogy to any content area.

One school’s journey of developing 20 hours per grade of Computer Science based on CS practices and standards. Learn the visionary planning process that empowered teachers to design their 20 hour overview and take ownership over CS instruction. Participants will explore sample grade-level CS 20-hour plans, hear from teachers in the field, view sample lessons, and take away sample curriculum overview templates.

Throughout this most unique year of distance learning, a select group of dedicated gamers have found connection and friendly competition through a burgeoning type of extra-curricular activity: Esports. As a global industry growing in participation, Esports has grown to 474 million players throughout 2021. As a pedagogical resource, Esports fosters to a substantial number of participants with interest in a STEM career. It expands college and career opportunities through networking, college scholarships, and increases strategic planning skills, and teaches students how to work with others in a high-pressure environment. During this planning cohort, we will discuss the grounding frameworks of why starting an Esports team is important in your school. Then, we will explore the top three companies leading the charge to plan, promote, and implement an Esports club into your school: PlayVS, NASEF, and CDW. Included in this planning stage are transferable STEM skills that are beneficial to students joining the club. At the conclusion of the exploration section, we will address the main challenges that will need further support in order to let the clubs flourish at school sites. Students typically joining an Esports team are held to high academic standards, and the students composing the Franklin High School Esports club exemplify that leadership skills are an integral part of joining the team. Furthermore, strategic communication skills have also been leveraged during strategic gameplay environments to gain a competitive edge again the opponents on popular titles like Super Smash Brothers, League of Legends, and Rocket League.

In this interactive keynote session, educators will examine their beliefs and expectations about students by engaging in a circle structure designed for having difficult but fruitful conversations between educators. Additionally, they will participate in empathy mapping to increase their knowledge of learners and raising equity in schools.

Join education coach Jorge Valenzuela for sound pedagogy, personal insight, and modeling actionable steps you can replicate in your faculty meetings and classrooms.