Every young person deserves a quality education that provides windows, mirrors, and sliding doors! Arts education serves as a vehicle to accomplish this and when Ethnic Studies is in the driver's seat, amazing things happen! In this session educators will practice arts integration by exploring implementation strategies tailored to their unique contexts. Participants will delve into ethnic studies lesson planning and examine the intersections of Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) and ethnic studies to empower youth leadership. Through collaborative activities, lesson walkthroughs, and meaningful discussions, we aim to enhance classroom practices and community connections.

Jeff Duncan-Andrade, Ph.D., is Professor of Latina/o Studies and Race and Resistance Studies at San Francisco State University. He was a founder of the Roses in Concrete Community School, a community responsive lab school in East Oakland, and has been a classroom teacher and school leader in East Oakland (CA) for the past 30 years. Duncan-Andrade’s pedagogy has been widely studied and acclaimed for producing uncommon levels of social and academic success for students. He lectures around the world and has authored numerous journal articles and book chapters on effective practices in schools.  He has written three books, his most recent just being released with Harvard Press in August 2022. In 2016, Duncan-Andrade was part of the great educators invited to the White House on National Teacher Appreciation Day by President Obama, and in 2019 he was chosen as the Laureate for the prestigious Brock International Prize in Education. In 2021, he was selected to join the Board of Prevent Child Abuse America. Duncan-Andrade is also ranked as one of the nation’s most influential scholars by EdWeek’s Public Influence Rankings.

Duncan-Andrade’s transformational work on the elements of effective teaching in schools is recognized throughout the U.S. and as far abroad as New Zealand.  His research interests and publications span the areas of youth wellness, culturally and community responsive pedagogy, trauma responsiveness, curriculum change, teacher development and retention, and cultural and Ethnic Studies. He works closely with teachers, school site leaders, union leaders and school district officials to help them develop community responsive classroom practices and school cultures that foster wellness, self-love, confidence, and academic success among all students.  Duncan-Andrade holds a Ph.D. in Social and Cultural Studies in Education and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature, both from the University of California – Berkeley.

CTA President David Goldberg talks about current issues in education and how it impacts our students. 

How to create a program to target marginalized students (African-American/Black in this case) and support their needs to create a strong solid connection to the their school and district with the main goal and increasing student success in school.  Once created to also guide members on how to create permanent sustainability by fully integrating the program into the district LCAP to ensure program permanancy regardless of who is in charge of the school site and/or district.

This workshop will delve into the transformative role of student activism and leadership in advancing equity and human rights, with a focus on Astin & Astin’s Social Change Model of Leadership. Participants will gain a deep understanding of how this collaborative, values-driven model can be applied to student activism and equity efforts. Through case studies showcasing successful student-led initiatives and a hands-on assessment activity, attendees will learn practical strategies to integrate the model into classroom instruction, PBIS/MTSS frameworks, and extracurricular programs, fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and values-based leadership among students.

The presentation is about supporting the mental health of Black youth. The presentation covers the challenges that Black youth face, including systemic oppression, symbolic violence, poverty, and neighborhood disadvantage. It emphasizes the importance of empathy and lists ways to support Black youth, such as creating safe spaces, promoting awareness, incorporating culturally relevant activities, and advocating for policies addressing systemic inequalities. Participants are encouraged to incorporate these strategies to create a more supportive environment for the mental well-being of Black youth.

The presentation is about supporting the mental health of Black youth. The presentation covers the challenges that Black youth face, including systemic oppression, symbolic violence, poverty, and neighborhood disadvantage. It emphasizes the importance of empathy and lists ways to support Black youth, such as creating safe spaces, promoting awareness, incorporating culturally relevant activities, and advocating for policies addressing systemic inequalities. Participants are encouraged to incorporate these strategies to create a more supportive environment for the mental well-being of Black youth.

This course is more than just learning; it's about transformation. It’s about turning awareness into action and becoming an agent of change in your sphere of influence. This course begins with a personal evaluation of your proximity to power using the Wheel of Power. This isn't just a theoretical exercise; it's an invitation to reflect on your life, understand how privilege has shaped your experiences, and recognize the diverse perspectives of others. You will visualize privilege, begin to understand white fragility, reflect on trauma, and assess your own power.