The Department of Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations (ELC) in UNC Greensboro’s School of Education hosted its annual Critical Conversations Conference (CCC) on March 16, 2024. This year, conference attendees enjoyed a plethora of workshops that centered on the theme “Equity Driven Leadership: Reflection, Connection, and Action.”
Attendees came from 12 school districts and five universities and represented a number of professional roles including teachers, assistant principals, principals, curriculum coaches, school district staff, higher education practitioners, and more. As in years past, this event was sponsored by the Wallace-Funded Equity Focused Leadership Academy with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, as well as the UNCG School of Education Dean’s Office.
Each year during the conference, attendees take some time to acknowledge and remember Dr. Rochelle Brock, past chair of the ELC Department and a founding member of the CCC at UNCG. Dr. Brock’s commitment to relationships, the arts, and social justice continues to inspire the vision for the conference. This year, workshops blended theory and practice, which is a signature of the ELC department’s work and a focus for the CCC. In the sessions, attendees and workshop facilitators discussed how to increase equitable practices and social justice in their schools and communities and gained practical skills to support their collective efforts.
This year’s keynote speaker was Dr. Bettina Love, William F. Russell Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University, and author of The New York Times bestseller Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal. Her talk challenged educators to examine historical trends in racism and discrimination and how the perpetuation of those trends continues to shape teaching and learning in schools. One key takeaway from Dr. Love’s talk was the need to repair past educational wrongs through a focus on Black joy and intentional recruitment and retention of Black educators so that they can develop meaningful relationships, especially with Black students.
Learn more about ELCCCC sessions, current and past.
ELC appreciates the support of all who participated in this year’s ELCCCC event. Look for invitations to next year’s event in Spring 2025.
