LEAD conference program
Join us at McNamara Alumni Center for two days of actionable insights, tools, and strategies to help you create more equitable education systems at the Leading in Equity, Action, and Diversity (LEAD) conference.
Schedule of events
A full schedule of events is available. Note: All speakers and times are subject to change.
Day 1 program details
8 - 9 a.m.
9 - 9:15 a.m.
9:15 - 10:15 a.m.
Registration and networking breakfast | Minnesota Room area
Welcome and introduction to keynote | Memorial Hall
Keynote | Memorial Hall
Title: Collective Care for When the World Feels Heavy
Bio: Dena Simmons, EdD, is the founder of LiberatED, a collective developing school-based resources at the intersection of social-emotional learning (SEL), racial justice, and healing. Formerly the assistant director of Yale’s Center for Emotional Intelligence, she has been an educator, teacher educator, diversity facilitator, and curriculum developer. A prominent voice on social justice and liberatory pedagogy, Simmons has spoken at the White House, the Obama Foundation Summit, the United Nations, and multiple TED events.
Her work has been featured in Education Week, HuffPost, NPR, and PBS’s MAKERS: Women Who Make America. A recipient of numerous fellowships, including Truman, Fulbright, Soros, and Pahara-Aspen, she earned her doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research focuses on teacher preparedness, culturally responsive pedagogy, and the intersection of equity and SEL to foster justice and safe learning environments.
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Morning breakout sessions
Location: Johnson Great Room
Description: Discover how rural youth in Pelican Rapids are leading real change through the Beyond Civics model. Walk away with tools, stories, and inspiration to co-create inclusive, youth-driven community engagement in your own context.
Presenters:
- Staci Allmaras | Director of School and Youth Engagement, Lakes Country Service Cooperative
- Jasmine Nguyen | Program Engagement Coordinator, Civic Bridgers
- Libby Stegger | Executive Director, Civic Bridgers
Location: Thomas Swain Room
Description: As educator shortages grow, Minnesota districts are transforming schools into workforce hubs. This session highlights paid apprenticeships, paraeducator pathways, flexible licensure pathways, and embedded PD as scalable, equity-centered models. Hear how schools are creating new, community-based onramps to teaching that strengthen pipelines and expand access to high-quality preparation.
Presenter:
- Ashley Karlsson | Project Momentum Director, Southeast Service Cooperative
- Josh Thelemann | Founder, Proserva
- Kendra Katnik | Project Momentum Implementation & Instructional Lead, Southeast Service Cooperative
- Ryan Mulso | Admin, MPS Teacher Apprenticeships, Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS)
- Natalia Benjamin | Director of Multilingual Learning, Rochester Public Schools
Location: Ski-U-Mah
Description: Learn concrete tools & strategies for supporting all to speak up immediately and effectively when hate, bias or derogatory comments and behaviors occur in the professional, educational, athletic, or community setting. Research, historical context, personal stories, videos, reflection, and audience discussion will be used to engage participants in learning how to sustain inclusive spaces.
Presenters:
- Seema G. Pothini | Consultant, Author, Advocate, Equity Elephant Consulting, LLC
- Ken Essay | Principal, ISD 191 (Burnsville, Eagan, Savage)
Location: Heritage Gallery
Description: Flourish, an integrative health initiative at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB), promotes foundational aspects of children’s brain health grounded in both the lived experience of the community and evidence-based brain research from the University of Minnesota. This session includes an opportunity to learn about key pillars of children’s brain health, how Flourish partners with communities, and how educators are essential collaborators in this work.
Presenters:
- Reynolds-Anthony Harris | Managing Director, Community Stewardship, MIDB
- Amy Moore | Founder and President, Moore BioTranslation (an external partner to MIDB)
11:45 - 1 p.m.
1:15 - 2:15 p.m.
Lunch | Memorial Hall
- Posters from CEHD’s Research and Innovation Day will be on display in University Hall. Stop by during lunch to explore the work.
Panel | Memorial Hall
Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flannagan
Peggy Flanagan is Minnesota’s 50th Lieutenant Governor, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, and currently the country’s highest ranking Native woman elected to executive office. At the center of all her work is making progress for children, working families, communities of color and Indigenous communities, and Minnesotans who have historically been underserved and underrepresented.
Peggy served on the Minneapolis Board of Education from 2005 to 2009. She is a St. Louis Park native and proud graduate of St. Louis Park Public Schools. She earned her bachelor’s degree in American Indian studies and child psychology in 2002 from the University of Minnesota.
Superintendent Lisa Sayles-Adams, Minneapolis Public Schools
Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams was appointed as the Superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) in February 2024.
Sayles-Adams' career in education started in MPS as she held various roles including teacher and coordinator, ultimately becoming the principal at the City Alternative High School. After leaving MPS, Sayles-Adams served as a principal in elementary and secondary schools in both Clayton County Schools in Georgia and St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS) before being appointed as an assistant superintendent in SPPS, a role she also later held in ISD 622 (North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale). Prior to her appointment as Superintendent in MPS, she served as Superintendent of Eastern Carver County Schools (MN).
Sayles-Adams' holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University, Mankato, a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota. She currently serves on several local, state, and national education committees including the legislative committee of the Association of Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD), the executive committee of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA), the governing board of AASA, The School Superintendents Association, and the board of directors for the Council of Great City Schools (CGCS).
Dean Michael C. Rodriguez, College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota
Michael C. Rodriguez is Dean of CEHD and a professor of measurement. He joined the UMN faculty in 1999 and in 2013 was named the Campbell Leadership Chair in Education and Human Development. Rodriguez extends his research on item format effects, measurement accessibility, and item response models to examine socio-cultural contexts of youth development and important education outcomes via measurement and psychometrics of social and emotional readiness and wellbeing as founding director of the Minnesota Youth Development Research Group.
Rodriguez is a member of the UMN Academy of Distinguished Teachers. He chairs the Technical Advisory Group of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards and participates on technical advisory committees for the Minnesota Department of Education, New York State Education Department, National Assessment of Educational Progress, and Association of American Medical Colleges. He currently serves as the AERA representative on the Management Committee overseeing the revision of the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. Rodriguez is a fifth-generation Minnesotan and a first-generation college graduate.
Moderated by Professor Lesa Clarkson, College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota
Lesa Clarkson is a professor of mathematics education in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota. The foundation of Lesa Clarkson’s research agenda is mathematics in urban settings. This research evolved from the eighth-grade algebra law in Minnesota and its effects primarily on urban learners. Dr. Clarkson founded a near-peer mathematics tutoring and mentoring program as a result of this research. Prepare2Nspire, now in its 14th year, has served over 800 middle and high school students in North Minneapolis.
2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Afternoon breakout sessions
Location: Johnson Great Room
Description: We know exclusionary discipline disproportionately affects students of color. Come and learn how the leaders from Bloomington Kennedy High School implemented restorative practices, fostered a more equitable school culture, reduced suspensions by 56%, and eliminated transfer agreements.
Presenters:
- Molly Hollenbeck | Principal, Kennedy High School
- Katrina Mezera | Assistant Principal, Kennedy High School
Location: Thomas Swain Room
Description: What do Black students need and deserve from their teachers, principals, district leaders, and researchers? In this dynamic, youth-led panel, Black students in grades 8–12 speak truth to power, sharing powerful narratives and collective insights about the systems that shape their schooling experiences. Grounded in their experiential brilliance and personal reflection, young people will share their calls to action.
Presenter:
- Nate Stewart | Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota
- Dena Luna | Executive Director, The Office of Black Student Achievement
Location: Ski-U-Mah
Description: TNTP will share findings from their report "The Opportunity Makers", offering a roadmap for accelerating learning and supporting students who are behind to catch up. Superintendent Matt Hillmann of Northfield Public Schools will share how his district partnered with TNTP to implement trajectory-changing practices. Participants will leave with tools and resources to apply these strategies in their own context.
Presenters:
- Alex Gallagher | Director, TNTP
- Matt Hillmann | Superintendent, Northfield Public Schools
- Meghna Sohoni | Partner, TNTP
Location: Heritage Gallery
Description: In this session, participants will explore tools and strategies to support staff wellbeing within the Minnesota Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MnMTSS) Framework and learn about opportunities for continued professional growth through Climate and Culture professional learning pathways provided by COMPASS, Minnesota's statewide system of support.
Presenters:
- Larsyn Lyman | COMPASS School Climate Mental Health Specialist, Minnesota Department of Education
- Cristin Craig | COMPASS Climate and Culture Lead, BrightWorks
- Joe Jezierski | COMPASS Climate and Culture Lead, Southeast Service Cooperative
3:45 - 5:45 p.m.
Reception | The Commons, Thomas Swain, University Hall, and cafe/patio
Day 2 program details
8 - 9 a.m.
9 - 9:15 a.m.
9:15 - 10:15 a.m.
Registration and networking breakfast | Minnesota Room area
Welcome and introduction to keynote | Memorial Hall
Keynote
Title: Leading With not For Youth, Families & Communities
Bio: Ann M. Ishimaru, EdD, is the Killinger Endowed Chair and Professor of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Policy at the University of Washington’s College of Education. Her work in P–12 educational leadership focuses on building collective leadership among youth, families, communities, and educators to advance dignity, justice, and well-being in schools. Her research is grounded in two core ideas: that leadership is key to addressing racial injustice in education, and that those most affected by inequities should help shape solutions. She works to disrupt power imbalances by fostering equitable collaboration between system leaders and racially minoritized communities. As a community-based researcher and director of multiple leadership initiatives, she explores practices that support cross-racial solidarity and community-driven educational change. Her books include Just Schools: Building Equitable Collaborations with Families & Communities 2020 and the forthcoming "Doing the Work” of Equity Leadership for Justice and Systems Change (2025).
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Morning breakout sessions
Location: Johnson Great Room
Description: This session introduces a new qualitative student feedback process designed and facilitated by youth to gather authentic insights on engagement, belonging and purpose. Good Trouble youth leaders will share how they built the process and guide attendees through real data analysis and dialogue, offering tools participants can apply to drive school improvement and deepen student engagement and motivation.
Presenters:
- Jose Perez | Chief Troublemaker & Co-Founder, Good Trouble
- Julian Spencer | Movement Lead, Good Trouble
Location: Thomas Swain Room
Description: Join us for an interactive session to learn about Youth as Champions 2.0, a partnership program between Generation Next, Elevate Teaching, Minneapolis Public Schools and St. Paul Public Schools. YAC 2.0 aims to engage youth voice and leadership in the Elevate Teaching movement, and to build the capacity of youth to be part of the solution to shift how we talk about, view and relate to a most impactful profession.
Presenter:
- Rose Chu | Founder, Elevate Teaching
- Sophie Reese | Consultant, Collectivity Cooperative, Elevate Teaching
- Courtney Gbolo | Education Pathway Specialist, St. Paul Public Schools
- Lauren Rekonen | Education Pathway Teacher, St. Paul Public Schools
- Elizabeth (Betsy) Stretch | CTE Teacher- Education Pathway, Minneapolis Public Schools
Location: Ski-U-Mah
Description: This presentation describes - and invites participants to engage with - the Learning Across Difference Framework. This framework is divided into the what and how of collaborative learning across difference. The what is building shared understandings, stepping into complexities, and connecting research with personal experience; the how is affinity groupings, strategic co-facilitation, and research as praxis. We used this evolving framework to engage white teachers, Black parents, and two antiracist facilitators (one who is Black and one who is white) in a 6-week antiracist study group. Parent and teacher participants, as well as the co-facilitators, will share how the study group led to open and honest conversations, shared language, and new, complex questions and suggestions for a way forward. As an attendee, you will have an opportunity to engage directly in some of the practices embedded in the framework. You will also have time to consider how the Learning Across Difference Framework can support challenging collaborative learning opportunities across differences (e.g., racial, cultural, political, socioeconomic) at your PK-12 or community sites.
Presenters:
- Ariri Onchwari | Associate Professor, University of Minnesota Duluth
- Suki Mozenter | Researcher, Birchen Learning
Location: Heritage Gallery
Description: This session highlights how longitudinal data systems like Minnesota’s Statewide Longitudinal Education Data System (SLEDS) can advance equity, drive informed decisions, and support continuous improvement. Featuring Bloomington Public Schools, it will show how integrated data helps uncover opportunity gaps and evaluate programs. A key example is the Bloomington Career and College Academy (BCCA), where students—across racial groups—enroll in college at higher rates and earn more if they don’t pursue a degree, compared to matched peers. These findings demonstrate BCCA’s impact in promoting equitable postsecondary outcomes, especially amid budget constraints.
Presenters:
- Amanuel Medhanie | Consultant, Generation Next
- Julio Caesar | Executive Director of Research, Evaluation, and Assessment, Bloomington Public Schools
- Jeremiah Ellis | Sr. Director of Partnerships, Generation Next
11:45 - 1 p.m.
1:15 - 2:15 p.m.
Lunch | Memorial Hall
Keynote | Memorial Hall
Title: 2025: How Can We Engage Our Generation Alpha Students? The New Global Literacy for Thriving and Flourishing in the Age of Artificial Intelligence - 7 High Operational Practices for Inspiring Pedagogy for High Intellectual Performances for Personal Growth, Agency, and Contribution
Bio: Yvette Jackson is a lifelong teacher. She is the winner of the 2019 GlobalMindEd Inclusive Leader 2012 ForeWord Reviews’ Silver Book Award, for her seminal work, The Pedagogy of Confidence: Inspiring High Intellectual Performance in Urban Schools. She is internationally recognized for her drive to provide and promote pedagogy that supports and celebrates educators fulfilling their commitment as “gifted” teachers and administrator leaders to elicit high intellectual performances and engagement from ALL their students. Drawing from neuroscience, gifted education, literacy, and the cognitive mediation theory of Jean Piaget’s mentee and her mentor, Dr. Reuven Feuerstein, she developed the assets-focused High Operational Practices to inspire and cultivate students’ strengths for learning, self-determination, and personal achievement. She has been the CEO of the National Urban Alliance, adjunct professor at Teachers College, Columbia University, and visiting lecturer at the Graduate Schools of Education at Harvard, Stanford, Rutgers, and St. Thomas Universities. Jackson holds multiple degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a BA from Queens College, CUNY.
2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Afternoon breakout sessions
Location: Johnson Great Room
Description: According to bell hooks, "The heart of justice is truth telling, seeing ourselves and the world the way it is rather than the way we want it to be." St. Louis Park Public Schools' Youth Data Analyst program illustrates the power of youth truth telling in school improvement planning. YDA alumni will share their most recent work and explain how they have continued their journey in research and civic engagement in college as a result of their initial engagement in this work in high school.
Presenters:
- Silvy Lafayette | Executive Director of Assessment, Research and Evaluation, St. Louis Park Public Schools
- Jillian Dixon | Rising 12th Grade Student / YDA 2024, St. Louis Park Public Schools
- Evan Scott | Rising 12th Grade Student / YDA 2024, St. Louis Park Public Schools
- Ezra Hudson | Undergraduate College Student / YDA 2020, Howard University & University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Manny Shetaye | Undergraduate College Student / YDA 2021, Duke University
- Amira Abdirahman | Undergraduate College Student / YDA 2022, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Location: Thomas Swain Room
Description: In this session, you will hear from district and University partners as they explain the collaboration between Multilingual Education in IDS 622, St. Paul Public Schools and the UMN MNGOT ESL/WL program. Efforts to prepare ESL and World Language/Heritage Language teachers via multiple pathways - paraprofessional, Tier 2 teachers, student teacher residents, and additional licensure candidates - will be described.
Presenters:
- Karla Stone | Senior Lecturer and MNGOT ESL/WL License Program Lead, University of Minnesota
- Laura Mogelson | Director, Multiple Pathways to Teaching Office, University of Minnesota
- Sarah Schmidt de Carranza | Executive Director, Office of Multilingual Learning (OMLL) St. Paul Public Schools
- Megan Budke | Immersion, Indigenous, & World Language Coordinator, Office of Teaching & Learning, St. Paul Public Schools
- Gena Abrahamson | Human Resource Partner, ISD 622 North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale
Location: Ski-U-Mah
Description: Join members from the Austin Public Schools District MTSS Team, as they share insights into implementing a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) with a linked teaming process to drive student success. This session will explore how the district has structured collaborative teams, streamlined data-driven decision-making, integrated the district team into building processes, and fostered a culture of support for all learners. Attendees will gain practical strategies for aligning district, school, and classroom teams to create an effective and sustainable MTSS framework.
Presenters:
- Katie Baskin | Executive Director of Academics and Administrative Services, Austin Public Schools
- Jean Duffy | COMPASS Asst. Director | MnMTSS Lead, Minnesota Department of Education
Location: Heritage Gallery
Description: School leaders play a pivotal role in fostering equitable and inclusive learning environments. This session will grow leaders’ knowledge of culturally responsive leadership as they hear from colleagues about tools and strategies they've learned, as well as future learning opportunities available to Minnesota leaders.
Presenters:
- Nasreen Fynewever | COMPASS Culturally Responsive Instructional Leadership Specialist, MN Dept. of Education
- MJ Johnson | Executive Director, Partnership Academy
- Ryan Korolewski | Alex Coordinator, Cannon Valley Special Education Cooperative
3:45 - 5:45 p.m.
Reception | The Commons, Thomas Swain, University Hall, and cafe/patio