Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) development is crucial to building a safe and equitable workspace for GSU employees and a conducive learning environment for GSU students. For upcoming professional development opportunities, please refer to the list below:

 

  

Chicago Southland Educator Consortium Annual Conference – 2024  

  Fostering PK-22 and IHE Partnerships to Strengthen Educator Retention

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, in partnership with the College of Education, presents the first annual conference in the Chicago Southland to address strategies to increase teacher diversity. 

Thursday, June 13, 2024, | 8 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. 

Governors State – Hall of Governors (main entrance)

  Facilitated by Dr. Amy and Dr. Joi from the Teaching and Leading Podcast

Post Conference

 

Dr. Amy and I thank you for dedicating your time to participate in the first annual Chicago Southland Educator Partnership Consortium.  

Your participation added much value to the educator retention focus and will help us move forward. 

The feedback thus far from the Conference is glowing.  In short, participants loved "all of it."  If you still need to complete the survey, please take two minutes to complete it today.  Your opinion will help us develop our work and Conference for next year.  

Photos  

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REGISTRATION 

$75.00 registration fee.  Registration includes conference, continuing education units, resources, micro-credential badge, takeaways from great presenters, breakfast, lunch, and snacks.

AGENDA

7:30 – 10:00 am	Registration	Hall of Governors
7:30 – 8:30 a.m.	Pre-Conference for Invited School Partners	Hall of Honors D1490
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.	Continental Breakfast	Engbretson Hall B1200 and Hall of Governors
9:00 a.m.	Welcome Remarks	Hall of Governors Dr. Joi Patterson, Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Amy Vujaklija, Director of Educator Preparation Dr. Shannon Dermer, Dean, College of Education and Human Development Dr. Giesela Grumbach Dr. Cheryl Green, President of GovState
9:20 a.m.	Goal of the Day	Hall of Governors Dr. David Conrad, Assistant Dean, College of Education and Human Development
9:30 a.m.	Keynote Speaker	Hall of Governors Dr. Jeremy Coleman, Founder of Century Solutions and Clinical Professor at Ball State University
10:00 a.m.	Transition
10:10 a.m.	Why Educators Stay	Hall of Governors Dr. Amy Vujaklija
10:20 a.m.	Panel Discussion “Why Educators Stay”	Hall of Governors Teaching and Leading hosted by Dr. Amy and Dr. Joi with panelists Ms. Comfort Agboola, Mr. Bill Curtin, Dr. Tim Doher, Dr. Tim Duggan, Ms. Jordan Romanowski
11:00 am	Gallery Walk
11:15 - 11:55 am	Concurrent Session 1	See schedule below
Noon	Lunch	Engbretson Hall B1200 and Hall of Governors Dr. Scott Sowinski, Executive Director of Center for Performing Arts at GovState
1:00 - 1:40 pm	Concurrent Session 2	See schedule below
1:45 – 2:25 pm	Concurrent Session 3	See schedule below
2:30 – 3:15 pm	Should I Stay or Should I Go?	Hall of Governors Judge Lasheyl Stroud and Dr. Angela Diggs
3:15 pm	Travel safely and thank you for attending!

Dr. Jeremy Coleman, Keynote Speaker

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Should I Stay or Should I Go?	Judge Lasheyl Stroud and Dr. Angela Diggs
Building Racism-Free Schools: Implementing Illinois’ Newest Discrimination Law	Mr. Bill Curtin
Investing in Individual Contributor Career Pathways for Educator Retention	Dr. David Conrad
Teachers of Color Helping Students Bloom	Dr. Tasha Gibson White
Leveraging Photovoice to Foster Reflection, Community, and Support Among Student Teachers	Dr. Amy L. Kelly
School-University Partnerships in Support of the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan	Dr. Cynthia Rousseau
Determinants that Lead to Teacher Retention in K-6 Schools in South Suburban Chicago, Illinois	Dr. Amy Wagner
The Effects of Emotional Behavior Disorder on Teacher Retention	Ms. Kenya Walker
Building Teacher Leadership to Promote Retention	Ms. Patricia Rinkenberger, Dr. Jan Fitzsimmons, Dr. Beverly Johns
“Weird" Was the Name They Gave Me: Addressing the Intersectionality of Race and Neurodiversity in Educator Retention Efforts	Dr. Nichelle Cook
Teacher Retention: What Does the Research Say?	Dr. Tim Dohrer
Lifting As We Climb	Dr. Dana Whittaker, Ms. Melisa Williams-Rivera, Dr. LeVar J. Ammons, Mr. Broderick Booth, Ms. Farrah Ellison-Moore, and Dr. Portia Ransom
Leadership Matters: Collaborative Leadership Opportunities for Educator Retention in P-22 and IHEs	Dr. Dawn Brown
Maximizing Collaborative Relationships Between Teachers	Dr. Shaalein Lopez and Dr. Bonnie Dickey
Improving Employee Retention by Fostering Workplace Wellness	Ms. Meagan Washington-Sims
Empowering K-5 Educators: Unveiling Issues, Crafting Solutions, and Honoring Expertise through Teacher Voice	Dr. Candace Smith

Full Program (coming soon)

Who Should Attend this Event?

We know that this is a very important topic and event for the community.  Due to limited seating, the school/organization may send up to three representatives.  

 

• PK-22 school district leaders: Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, HR Director, Board members, Curriculum Directors, Special Education Directors, ESL Directors 
• Elected Officials in the Chicago Southland  
• Representatives from Regional Offices of Education and Education and Intermediate Service Centers 
• Higher Education professional educator administrators, coordinators, school support personnel, and faculty 
• Professional education advocacy organizations 

 

  

Please RSVP by June 7, 2023

For more information, contact Dr. Joi Patterson jpatterson3@govst.edu or visit the DEI webpage.

 

LUNCH AND LEARN

2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Room D34000
Click Learn More for future and past presentations 

Learn more

 

ADA Webinar and Certificate: 

Addressing Academic Adjustment and Auxiliary Aid Accommodation Requests

Receive Training and Certificate During the Month of October 

 

 Thursday, October 26, 2023, at 1:00 – 2:30, Room D34005.  Please RSVP by Tuesday, October 24.