What do you do when the thing standing in the way of what you want for students or as a teacher is the system itself?
Season 8/Collab Lab 60
February’s Collab Lab focused on maintaining the energy and passion to sustain engagement of students in authentic work. This month we stare into the face of the monster in the cave– the thing that blocks us from offering all we might want for our students or what we need for ourselves. How do you drive change in a system that seeks stability?
As always, you’ll be joined by peers and collaborators from K-12 higher education, industry, and the nonprofit community. Additionally, if you work with or know of a student who would like to join the discussion, please extend the invitation
Agenda
| 5:30 to 6:00 pm | Grab something to eat, meet some interesting, passionate people |
| 6:00 to 6:15 pm | Welcome and introductions |
| 6:15 to 8:00 pm | Let’s talk through some ideas |
| 8:00 to 8:30 pm | Wrap up and next steps |
Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. There is no charge for participation but space is limited!
Featured Participants
Among others you’ll have a chance to talk with:
Bevin Christie — Founder, Pivot Consulting
Bevin is a seasoned social entrepreneur and educator, who is deeply committed to holistic education and workforce development. She drives initiatives to equip individuals with skills for success in today’s economy through strategic partnerships and mentorship. With a background in nonprofit leadership and education, Bevin spearheads innovative programs that prepare students and adults for careers and foster community engagement. She believes in the transformative power of education for building a more just society.
Mandi McAlister & Jasmine Roberson — Fair Future Movement
Jasmine and Mandi are co-leaders of Fair Future Movement. That coalition of individuals and organizations is focused on uniting the community to overcome the racism and systems of oppression that have fractured our community, created unhealthy living environments and power imbalances, and exacerbated environmental injustices. Mandi is a community organizer, consultant, and environmental justice activist. Jasmine is a community organizer and nonprofit professional who is passionate about racial justice, education equity, and criminal justice reform with a special interest in youth development.
Deidre Roemer — Superintendent, School District of South Milwaukee
Deidre joined the School District of South Milwaukee in July of 2023. Prior to that role she served as the Assistant Superintendent, Director of Leadership and Learning, Coordinator of Special Education, instructional coach, and classroom teacher. Her philosophy of education has always been to empower every learner with an absolute faith in themselves to be curious, try anything, work hard and prepare for life after school. She models creating inclusionary communities when she coaches teachers and leaders and as an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to be a part of growing into the next version of what we need for kids. She is also a contributing author of Because of a Teacher by George Couros and has presented at national conferences on Digital Portfolios, Creating a Culture of Coaching, Leading through and Equity Lens, Support for ALL learners, and many other topics. She is presenting at the Deeper Learning 2024 conference in San Diego with Brian Delgado, from High Tech High, on how to create a system of sustainable, student-centered learning in schools.
Our April Collab Lab focused on the opportunities we can create for students by engaging partners in the neighborhoods which surround a school. The goal was to explore how we might: engage students in real-world projects with organizations, businesses, and community members in the neighborhoods which surround a school; leverage then enthusiasm and energy of students working on problems they care about; foster relationships that allow for sustainable engagement over the long term.