Conversations for administrators, teachers, parents, and para-educators about ways to best serve every student during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Join us for 30 free, live virtual seminars with leading educators and equity leaders that help parents, teachers, para-educators, and administrators better meet the needs of our economically and educationally disadvantaged students.
The California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA) and the University of California Los Angeles Center for the Transformation of Schools (CTS) have collaborated to develop this free online series, which provides families and educators with the tools and strategies they need to enhance equity in the virtual learning space in the wake of the COVID-19 school closures.
With support from the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE), we’re inviting educators and equity leaders to share the practices and approaches that they believe will ensure that students continue to learn and thrive, even as their schools remain closed.
You’re invited to join these conversations. Please register once to join each free, hour-long conversation. Together with individual educators and school-based teams from across the state, you will have the chance to discover the real-world-tested strategies you can employ right away to improve outcomes for your students, even as they continue their learning from home.
Can’t make a session? Register now to ensure access to every live and archived session, and to share the growing archive with your colleagues or staff.
Ask The Experts – Engagement Portal
At the CAAASA-UCLA Partnership Project, every voice counts.
Because we firmly believe that every question, concern, comment and suggestion is valuable and deserves a response, now more than ever, we’ve created a way for you to communicate with us.
Please click the button below to ask questions or share problems you are encountering with education during Shelter-in-Place.
Join us Today!
Register now for your invitation to:
- Register today to take part in every upcoming conversation.
- Meet live, online with leading California educators and equity professionals.
- Learn proven strategies for improving outcomes for California students that you can use right away.
- View the video archive of every session, wherever and whenever you want.
Live Professional Learning Sessions
Week One: Monday, April 20 thru Thursday, April 23
SESSION ONE: MONDAY APRIL 20, 2020
Advocating for Everyone: Helping Educators and Parents Support Children While Learning at Home
Pedro A. Noguera, PhD
Distinguished Professor of Education;
Faculty Director, Center for the Transformation of Schools
UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies
This conversation is right for: Parents, Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals, School- and District- Administrators and Leaders
SESSION TWO: TUESDAY APRIL 21, 2020
Introducing Equity: Making a Difference for Every Child Through Strong, Positive Relationships
Lybroan James and Anne Watkins
Chief Educational Officer STEMulate Learning, LLC; and
Consultant and Senior Director – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
This conversation is right for: Parents, Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals
SESSION THREE: WEDNESDAY APRIL 22, 2020
Social-Emotional Health as We Shelter-in-Place: Best Practices and Resources
Ken Wesson
Educational Consultant, Neuroscience
This conversation is right for: Parents, Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals, School- and District- Administrators and Leaders
SESSION FOUR: THURSDAY APRIL 23, 2020
Advocating for Everyone: Assisting Students with Technology Access While They’re Sheltered in Place
Dr. Barbara Nemko and Dr. Judy White
Superintendent, NAPA County Office of Education;
and Superintendent, Riverside County Office of Education
This conversation is right for: Parents, Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals, School- and District- Administrators and Leaders
Live Professional Learning Sessions
Week Two: Monday, April 27 thru Thursday, April 30
SESSION FIVE: MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2020
Advocating for Everyone: Communicating the Needs and Experiences of African American Students and Families During COVID-19
Shaun R. Harper, Ph.D.
Clifford and Betty Allen Chair in Urban Leadership
Provost Professor of Education and Business
Founder and Executive Director, USC Race and Equity Center
University of Southern California
This conversation is right for: Parents, Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals, School- and District- Administrators and Leaders
SESSION SIX: TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020
Understanding Unconscious Bias: Combating Societal Conditioning
Lybroan James and Anne Watkins
Chief Educational Officer STEMulate Learning, LLC; and
Consultant and Senior Director – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
This conversation is right for: Parents, Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals
SESSION SEVEN: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020
Linking Child Development and Curriculum: Strategies for Building Self-esteem and Self-motivation
Ken Wesson
Educational Consultant, Neuroscience
This conversation is right for: Parents, Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals
SESSION EIGHT: THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020
Restoring Justice to Your School District: How Educators can Become Agents of Change
Dr. Paul Gothold
Superintendent, San Diego County Office of Education
This conversation is right for: Parents, Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals, School- and District- Administrators and Leaders
Live Professional Learning Sessions
Week Three: Monday, May 4 thru Thursday, May 7
SESSION NINE: MONDAY, MAY 4, 2020
From Engaging to Co-Education: Supporting Parents in Co-Educating Students
Alicia Montgomery, Ed.D.
Executive Director, Center for Powerful Public Schools and Innovate Public Schools
This conversation is right for: Parents, Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals, School- and District- Administrators and Leaders
SESSION TEN: TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2020
Family Support: What To Do for At-Risk Students and Families in Acute Need
Tracy Thompson
Executive Director, Juvenile and Community Schools, San Diego County Office of Education
Stephanie Johnston Austin
Supervisor III, Student Support and Family Involvement
Juvenile Court and Community Schools
San Diego County Office of Education
Christopher Toomey
Head Counselor
Juvenile Court and Community Schools
San Diego County Office of Education
This conversation is right for: Parents, Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals, School- and District- Administrators and Leaders
SESSION ELEVEN: WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020
Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness
Dr. Ayana Kee Campoli
Senior Researcher, Learning Policy Institute
Dion Burns
Senior Researcher, Learning Policy Institute
Leanne Wheeler
California State Homeless Coordinator, California Department of Education
Tara Turrentine
Coordinator, Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program, Sacramento County Office of Education
Elena Cabrera
Director of Categorical Programs and Grants, Folsom-Cordova Unified School District
Jevon Wilkes
Executive Director, California Coalition for Youth
This conversation is right for: Parents, Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals
SESSION TWELVE: THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020
Homeschooling 101: What Every Parent and Educator Needs to Know about How Children Learn – Parents as Teachers, Study Schedules, Setting Expectations
Ken Wesson
Educational Consultant, Neuroscience
This conversation is right for: Parents, Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals
Live Professional Learning Sessions
Week Four: Monday, May 11 thru Friday, May 15
SESSION THIRTEEN: MONDAY, MAY 11, 2020
Supporting African American student needs during COVID-19
Tyrone C. Howard, Ph.D
Professor, Pritzker Family Endowed Chair in Education to Strengthen Children & Families; Director, UCLA Pritzker Center for Strengthening Children & Families; Director, UCLA Black Male Institute; Graduate School of Education & Information Studies University of California, Los Angeles
This conversation is right for: Parents, Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals, School- and District- Administrators and Leaders
SESSION FOURTEEN: TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2020
College Readiness: Keeping Your Students on Track and Motivated to Win
Dr. Theresa Price
Founder at National College Resources Foundation
This conversation is right for: Counselors, Parents, Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals
SESSION FIFTEEN: WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2020
Everyday Science at Home for K-12 Students: The Kitchen, Living Room, and Garage as a Laboratory
Ken Wesson
Educational Consultant, Neuroscience
This conversation is right for: Parents, Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals
SESSION SIXTEEN: FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020
Virtual Teaching for Students of Color: How to Make Sure Culturally Relevant Practices Make Their Way Home
Dr. Bryan Brown
Associate Professor, Stanford University
This conversation is right for: Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals, School- and District- Administrators and Leaders
Live Professional Learning Sessions
Week Five: Monday, May 18 thru Thursday, May 21
SESSION SEVENTEEN: MONDAY, MAY 18, 2020
Extraordinary Leaders in Extraordinary Times
Dr. Tonikiaa Orange
Director of the Culture and Equity Project at UCLA Center X
Dr. Rita Suh
Facilitator/Coach, Culture and Equity Project at UCLA Center X.
This conversation is right for: Parents, Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals, School- and District- Administrators and Leaders
SESSION EIGHTEEN: TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020
Establishing Protocols for Online Teaching and Learning for Urban and Rural Students
Dr. Michele Bowers
Superintendent, Lancaster Unified School District
Lorrie Owens
Past President, Board of Directors, CITE (formerly CETPA)
Dr. Sharla Berry
Educational Researcher
This conversation is right for: Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals, School- and District- Administrators and Leaders
SESSION NINETEEN: WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2020
Physical Activity and Health: Family Fitness, Meal Planning and Conversations
Ken Wesson
Educational Consultant, Neuroscience
This conversation is right for: Parents, Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals
TWENTY: THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020
System Design: How Do We Ensure that We Serve Children Who Have Been Historically Disadvantaged?
Lybroan James and Anne Watkins
Chief Educational Officer STEMulate Learning, LLC; and
Consultant and Senior Director – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
This conversation is right for: Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals, School- and District- Administrators and Leaders
Live Professional Learning Sessions
Week Six: Tuesday, May 26 thru Friday, May 29
SESSION TWENTY-ONE: TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020
What Schools Can Be: Planning for Schools After the Pandemic
Pedro A. Noguera, PhD
Distinguished Professor of Education;
Faculty Director, Center for the Transformation of Schools
UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies
This conversation is right for: Parents, Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals, School- and District- Administrators and Leaders
SESSION TWENTY-TWO: WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020
Culturally Responsive Teaching: Building Student Confidence and Identity for Lifelong Learning
Lybroan James and Anne Watkins
Chief Educational Officer STEMulate Learning, LLC; and
Consultant and Senior Director – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
This conversation is right for: Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals, School- and District- Administrators and Leaders
SESSION TWENTY-THREE: THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020
Accelerating the Needs of English Learners During a Global Pandemic: Important Considerations
Socorro Shiels
Superintendent, Sonoma Valley Unified School District
Dr. Janet Schultze
Superintendent, Pittsburg Unified School District
This conversation is right for: Parents, Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals, School- and District- Administrators and Leaders
SESSION TWENTY-FOUR: FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2020
Parent Engagement: Establishing Positive Partnerships
Lisa Broomfield
Director of Categorical program and GATE, Moreno Valley Unified School District
Kymberly Taylor
African American Parent Involvement Specialist Moreno Valley Unified School District
This conversation is right for: Parents, Teachers, Para-Ed Professionals, School- and District- Administrators and Leaders
Live Professional Learning Sessions
Week Seven: Monday, June 1 thru Friday, June 5
SESSION TWENTY-FIVE: MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2020
Join Live: 1:00pm pacific time
Ethnomathematics: Unlocking the Gates to College & Careers in the 21st Century
Lybroan James
Chief Educational Officer STEMulate Learning, LLC
This conversation is right for: Leadership, Administrators, Teachers and Para ed
SESSION TWENTY-SIX: TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2020
Join Live: 1:00pm pacific time
From Advocacy to Engagement: Supporting English Language Learners in These Challenging Times.
Dr. Elisha Smith Arrillage
Executive Director, Ed Trust West
Ted Alejandre
Superintendent – San Bernardino County Office of Education Superintendent
This conversation is right for: Leadership, Administrators, Teachers and Para ed
SESSION TWENTY-SEVEN: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2020
Join Live: 1:00pm pacific time
Planning California’s Districts Transition Back to School: A Blueprint for Districtwide Communication During COVID 19
Dr. Daryl Camp
Superintendent, San Lorenzo Unified School District
Dr. Martinrex Kedziora
Superintendent, Moreno Valley Unified School District
This conversation is right for: Leadership, Administrators, Teachers and Para ed
SESSION TWENTY-EIGHT: THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020
Join Live: 1:00pm pacific time
Diagnosing Impact of Distance Learning and Amplified Learning Losses Due to Sheltering in Place
Diana De Los Santos
Managing Director of System Advising at Achievement Network
This conversation is right for: Leadership, Administrators, Teachers and Para ed