Schools have been experiencing unprecedented times alongside historical patterns of inequality and injustice. Our 2022 Annual Convening provided space for attendees to reflect on how to center collective care in intentionally integrated schools during the current moment. Topics and discussions courageously confronted persisting racism and disparities in educational access and breakout sessions and affinity groups reinvigorated our commitment to the mission of educational justice and building the diverse-by-design movement.
“This is one of the best conferences for educators – because we get to really talk about what’s going on in our schools – what works, what doesn’t – love it”
230+ registered
96% of survey respondents rated the 2021 Annual Convening favorably
Dilemma discussions will present a persistent challenge schools commonly face. Attendees will listen to the presentation of the problem, offer suggestions, questions, and further exploration.
Reimagining talent: How do we remove barriers limiting pathways from paraprofessional to lead teacher? (Inspired Teaching Demonstration Public Charter School)
Strategic Planning: Keeping Our Students, Mission & Values @ the Heart of Our Work (Central Park School for Children)
School visits have always been a cornerstone of the DCSC Convening. This year, attendees were shown a specific feature, program, approach, and/or component of the diverse-by-design school(s) model.
We know that leading diverse-by-design schools is a singular experience. However, that experience is not the same for us all. For our 2022 Annual Convening, we partnered with Embracing Equity to facilitate three separate racial affinity breakout spaces for tailored dialogue and anti-racist skill building for educators and leaders during this national racial reckoning and beyond.
Materials and handouts are from workshops, school showcases, dilemma discussions, and affinity groups. Recordings of whole-group programming (keynote and panels), workshops, and school showcases are available on Whovafor registrants until April 28, 2022.
Culture
Affirm a sense of belonging among all our true authentic selves.
Operations
Build systems and tools that care for the human needs of our schools.
“I found some really concrete strategies I can use to engage families and examine how we are already doing this (or not doing it).”
2022 Member of the Year
Two Rivers Public Charter School (Washington, D.C.)
“Two Rivers joined [the Coalition] to find another group of schools that were willing to give us feedback and push us…and we found a home with DCSC.”
#DCSC2022 Networking
and film screening by EPIC Theatre Ensemble
Friday also included a film screening premiere by EPIC Theatre Ensemble, Default. We encourage DCSC members to invite EPIC to your school as part of their 50 State Conversation campaign.
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#DCSC2022
2022 Convening Sponsors
Our committed sponsors help make this convening happen. Thank you!
DCSC would like to thank this year’s planning committee in helping the Coalition’s staff, board and funders prepare for the 2022 Annual Convening:
Valerie Braimah, Executive Director of City Charter Schools (Los Angeles, CA)
Alisha Gripp, UnifiED Alumnus and Dean of Middle School of Citizens of the World (Kansas City, MO)
John Heffernan, Executive Director of Central Park School for Children (Durham, NC)
Jeff Heyck-Williams, Director of the Two Rivers Learning Institute (Washington, D.C.)
Robyn King, Director of Admissions and Community Outreach of Académie Lafayette (Kansas City, MO)
Dana Mulwanda, UnifiED Alumnus and Founding Principal of Windsor Terrace Elementary, Prospect Schools (Brooklyn, NY)
Emily Wood, UnifiED Alumnus and Director of Operations and Strategy of Yu Ming Charter School (Oakland, CA)