Once again, CEHD welcomed education leaders from throughout the state to the Leading in Equity, Action, and Diversity (LEAD) conference. The third-annual event, which took place July 30 and 31, drew more than 400 individuals to campus to learn about the latest insights, tools, and strategies for creating more equitable education systems that eliminate racial harm and disparities in students’ opportunities, experiences, and outcomes.
Keynotes included UW Madison Professor Emerita Gloria Ladson-Billings, who was introduced by her former student and former MN Teacher of the Year Ryan Vernosh as the “godmother of culturally responsive teaching.” Ladson-Billings reminded the audience of the importance of justice in education and saving the language of justice. Her new book Justice Matters is well worth the read. Anton Treuer, professor of Ojibwe in the Department of Languages and Indigenous Studies at Bemidji State University, shared important and practical ways schools can incorporate Indigenous histories and ways of knowing into their classrooms. Gholdy Muhammad, professor of literacy language and culture in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Illinois-Chicago, drew upon her books Cultivating Genius and Unearthing Joy as ways educators can enact culturally and historically responsive education.
In addition to the powerful keynotes, attendees engaged in breakout sessions presented by K-12 practitioners and our CEHD colleagues Department of Curriculum and Instruction Professor Lesa Clarkson, Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development Assistant Professor Darrius Stanley, and Department of Educational Psychology Assistant Professor Lisa Aguilar. Executive Director of Educational Leadership Katie Pekel moderated a panel discussion of educational policy that included Minnesota Commissioner of Education Willie Jett, Representative Cheryl Youakim, Senator Zach Duckworth, and Superintendent David Law. Amid all the knowledge and learning, perhaps the highlight of the conference was the surprise visit from a very special guest, UMN’s own Goldy Gopher!
Next year’s LEAD conference will take place July 30-31, 2025.
