Jessamyn Stanley, in her book Yoke: My Yoga of Self-Acceptance, writes “Practicing yoga feels like digging an instrument out of myself”; teaching often feels like we bring our insides to class, exposed, raw, unfiltered—where the real learning and depths are found. Come along to form and mold your instrument that will not only uplift your signature style as an educator but also model for all students under your care that they, too, can find their own instrument to play.

Belonging has become a buzzword within Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice work. K-12 schools, universities, and corporate and non-profit organizations alike have added the “B” to their values and charge, yet, what does Belonging really entail? Join this workshop to dive into Belonging, its implications, aspirations, and the components crucial to its success. We will turn a buzzword into a lasting entity essential for collective transformation. For anyone new to DEIJ(B) work to veteran practitioners.

Coaching is teaching. It is mentorship, leadership, and a powerful space to create connection, community, and a sense of belonging. Yet, as a coach for over a decade, I have found myself, over time, learning on the fly how to empower and uplift my players. In this workshop, we will take on questions such as: How can we make space for players to find their voice? How do we value community and communicate that explicitly to our team? How do we embed a culture of inclusion and belonging in our programs while also maintaining a strong and competitive culture? Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your personal development as well as grow an even strong athletic program!

Throughout the history of schools and education, linguistic and cultural differences have been viewed and treated with a deficit approach impacting students, their experience, and ability to learn, grow, and develop along with their peers. How can we create an environment that celebrates, affirms, and values language as a culture add? In this multi-modal session, we will examine language through an inclusive lens using culturally responsive and relevant frameworks to reflect, assess, and inform our practices. Participants will have ample opportunity to to shift and develop their own multicultural classroom and will leave with tangible tools to implement immediately.

Our world is full of diversity and human difference. Although such traits enhance our experiences and enrich our lives, they are not always straightforward or easy to navigate. In fact, they are complex, dynamic, and nuanced. This workshop is geared towards parents and caregivers who are eager and ready to learn how to support their children and the young people in their lives through an empathetic and inclusive lens. Parents and caregivers will leave this workshop feeling affirmed, better informed, and with strategies to intervene and guide children of all ages.

Embedded in language alone are signs and evidence of how people within the Latine community have a complex relationship to race and ethnicity. We will take a look at this history and how it shows up today. The goal: heighten our awareness to shift our perspectives and break the patterns keeping us from true progress.

As an adoptee, my story is unique, as is every adoption journey. Throughout my life I have experienced other people’s reactions to my identity, unsure of how to receive the information and what to do next. This workshop will highlight language around adoption to demystify how to talk about the process as well as touch on identity formation, current issues, and areas of support for adoptees. We will work together to reframe this often misunderstood identity.