Summer Institute on Education, Equity, and Justice Ending Violence in PreK–16 Schools

Virtual Conference • June 24-26, 2024

Contact Us

202-885-3720

education@american.edu

Spring Valley Building , Room 471 on a map

4801 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016-8030 United States

Summer Institute on Education, Equity, and Justice (SIEEJ) 2024 Theme: Ending Violence in PreK-16 Schools

June 24-26, 2024

The annual American University School of Education Summer Institute on Education, Equity, and Justice (SIEEJ) convenes local and national educators and education advocates to highlight new practices and strategies for addressing the educational needs of Black, Brown, and indigenous students. The Institute aims to bring together educators, students, researchers, policymakers, law enforcement officials, mental health experts, and community leaders to explore innovative strategies, evidence-based solutions, and the importance of solidarity in creating safer schools.

Who Should Attend:

PreK-16 educators, Public safety officers, Social workers, School psychologists, Legislators, Education advocates, Parents, Students, School board members, Other related services providers, and Those at community-based organizations.

SIEEJ 2024 Ending Violence in PreK–16 Schools

Monday, June 24 - Wednesday, June 26

This year's theme, "Ending Violence in PreK–16 Schools,” reflects the comprehensive and collaborative approach required to address school
violence effectively. SIEEJ 2024 aims to explore innovative strategies, evidence-based solutions, and the importance of solidarity in creating safer schools. A hybrid event, all panel sessions and lectures will be offered virtually.

"Ending Violence in PreK–16 Schools" will feature talks by educators Dr. Nathaniel Bryan; Dr. Corbin M. Campbell; Lia Epperson; Dr. Rodney Hopson; Gregory Neal Jackson, Jr.; and Dr. Sophia Rodriguez as well as nine discussions conducted by expert panels covering an array of topics concerning school violence.

The event will close with the Dr. Edmund W. Gordon Distinguished Lecture, featuring a talk by acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Dr. Bettina Love on Wednesday, June 26, at 5:00 p.m. ET. *See bios in Speakers tab.

Join us to thoroughly examine and intentionally center the voices and experiences of people of color.

SIEEJ 2024 Save the Date Promo

SIEEJ 2024 Schedule of Events A hybrid event, all panel sessions and lectures will be offered virtually.

Monday, June 24
11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

11:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Co-Deans' Welcome Address
Speakers: Dr. Rodney Hopson and Dr. Corbin Campbell, Acting Co-Deans, American University School of Education

Co-Deans will provide an conference overview and introduce the SIEEJ Planning Committee

12 Noon – 1:15 p.m.
Opening Keynote Address
Speaker: Dr. Sophia Rodriguez, Associate Professor, University of Maryland, College Park, Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Session Title: Parental Involvement in School Safety (1)
Moderator: Dr. Eric Macias, Professorial Lecturer, American University School of Education
Panelists: Kirk Keys, Coach, The Creative School; David J. Venable, Community Activist and Minister, Washington, DC; Dr. Keisha Woods, Special Education Administrator, District of Columbia Public Schools; Janatus Barnett, Real Estate Agent, Keller Williams; Christina Graham, Risk and Financial Advisory Senior Consultant, Deloitte; Dr. Crystal Dorn, School Psychologist, District of Columbia Public Schools; Matthew J. Bowerman, Assistant Principal, Montgomery County Public Schools

In today's world, understanding and addressing the issue of gun violence is of paramount importance. Communities across the nation are affected by the far-reaching consequences of gun violence, and parents play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of their children. The primary objective of this panel is to provide parents with a comprehensive understanding of gun violence, its causes, impacts, and potential prevention strategies. By attending this panel, parents can gain the knowledge and resources needed to engage in meaningful conversations with their children and work towards a safer future for all children.

3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Session Title: A Legislative Approach to School Violence Through the Lens of Public Policy
Moderator: Dr. Kathryn Wiley, Assistant Professor, Howard University
Panelists: Dr. Jacque Patterson, At-Large Representative, DC State Board of Education; Brandon Best, DC Ward 6 Representative, DC State Board of Education; Dr. Sonali Rajan, Associate Professor and Senior Associate Director of Research, Edmund W. Gordon Institute for Urban and Minority Education, Teachers College, Columbia University; Dr. Zahra Ladhani, Lead Clinical Research Specialist, University of Maryland School of Medicine National Center for School Mental Health

School violence is a pressing concern that affects communities, students, and educators across the nation. This legislative panel on school violence brings together experts and policymakers to engage in a constructive dialogue aimed at developing evidence-based policies and strategies to create safer school environments. This legislative panel serves as a crucial platform for stakeholders to come together, share expertise, and develop legislative solutions that prioritize the safety and well-being of our students and schools.

Tuesday, June 25
9:15 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

9:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Smooth Jazz at Breakfast

9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Opening Comments
Speakers: Dr. Rodney Hopson and Dr. Corbin Campbell, Acting Co-Deans, American University School of Education

9:45 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
Session Title: PreK-12 Educational Leaders on School Safety and Gun Violence
Moderator: Dr. Jared Clemons, Assistant Professor, Temple University
Panelists: Dr. Aaron Griffen, Chief Equity Officer, Denver Public Schools; Kevin Smith, Principal, Charleston County Public Schools; Carey Stewart, Instructor, Virginia Tech University; Christopher Stewart, Principal, Montgomery County Public Schools; Kryszelda Mendonza, Founding School Director, Aurora Science and Technology High School; Jamal McGee, Assistant Principal, Union County Public Schools; Carol Bauer, Vice President, Virginia Education Association

School leaders play a critical role in safeguarding the well-being of students and staff within their educational communities. The issue of gun violence in schools remains a pressing concern, necessitating an informed and proactive response from school leaders. This panel discussion assembles experienced school leaders to share their perspectives, strategies, and recommendations for addressing school gun violence by fostering a culture of safety while teaching and learning occurs.

11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Morning Keynote Speaker and Q&A: Dr. Nathaniel Bryan, Associate Professor, The University of Texas at Austin College of Education

12:45 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
Session Title: Media, Race, and Gun Violence
Moderator: Dr. Robert Shand, Assistant Professor, American University
Panelists: Dr. Breahannah Hilaire, Assistant Professor, Stetson University; Dr. Laurie O. Campbell, Associate Professor, University of Central Florida; Dr. Viki P. Kelchner, Associate Professor, University of Central Florida

This panel examines a study on the characteristics of school shootings and investigates the relationship between perpetrators’ race and how shootings are reported by the media. Utilizing data from the Center for Homeland Defense and Security, panelists will highlight differences by race in the characteristics of school shootings and media reporting of school shootings. Inaccurate and incomplete portrayals of school gun violence in data repositories and the media may lead to public perceptions and policy responses that do not adequately address root causes of violence. In addition, these inaccurate depictions shroud the reality of gun violence in K-12 schools. Accurate information regarding the circumstances of gun violence in schools is a necessary component of preventing future violence.

2:00 p.m. – 3:05 p.m.
Session Title: Police, Mental Health Practitioners, and Safety Professionals on School Violence
Moderator: Dr. Christopher N. Smith, Instructor, South University
Confirmed Panelists: Christopher Faircloth, Director of Emergency Management, The George Washington University; Officer Willie Ruffin, Police Officer, Richmond Public Schools; Jessica Gilbert, College and Career Counselor, Alexandria City High School, VA; William Esswein, College and Career Counselor, Alexandria City High School, VA

PreK-12 schools and university campuses serve as hubs of learning, growth, and community for students and faculty. In an era marked by concerns about school violence, ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals within the academic environment is a top priority. This panel discussion convenes experienced professionals from university campus safety, mental health departments, and police departments to share their expertise, insights, strategies and best practices for addressing school violence on university campuses while upholding the core principles and values of education, safety and security.

3:15 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.
Session Title: Teachers on the Frontlines Against School Violence
Moderator: Zoe Roff, Middle School Teacher, Charleston County Public Schools
Confirmed Panelists: Angel Miles, Math Teacher, District of Columbia Public Schools; Bishop St. Clair Walker, History Teacher, The Field School; Allen Baugh, Doctoral Student, American University School of Education; Jason Collazo, Teacher, Quander Road School; Eddie Vanderhorst, Social Studies Teacher, Manor Independent School District

PreK-12 educators are at the forefront of efforts to create safe and nurturing learning environments for students. PreK-12 teachers play a pivotal role in shaping school culture, fostering positive relationships, and preventing school violence. This panel discussion brings together dedicated PreK-12 school teachers to share their perspectives, strategies, and recommendations for addressing school violence and promoting safer schools. This PreK-12 panel provides a vital platform for educators to exchange knowledge, share effective practices, and collectively work towards safer and more inclusive learning environments for all students.

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Fireside Chat
Moderator: Dr. Phelton Moss, Senior Professorial Lecturer, American University's School of Education
Guest Speaker: Gregory N. Jackson Jr., Deputy Director, The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention

Wednesday, June 26
12:45 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

12:45 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Co-Deans' Closing Remarks
Speakers: Dr. Rodney Hopson and Dr. Corbin Campbell, Acting Co-Deans, American University School of Education
SOE Acting Co-Deans will give closing remarks about the SIEEJ Conference.

1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Session Title: Legal Advocacy for Safer Schools
Moderator: Professor Lia Epperson, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs, American University Washington College of Law

Panelists: Geovanny E. Martinez, Executive Director and Senior Lecturing Fellow, Duke University Center on Law, Race, and Policy; TiffanyAnn Goodson, Vice President of Recruitment, JP Morgan Chase and Company; Herman Griffin, Chief Executive Office, Griffin Law PLLC

School violence remains a critical concern affecting educational institutions across the nation, prompting the need for a multifaceted response that includes legal perspectives. The University School of Law Professors and Practitioners Panel on School Violence brings together esteemed legal scholars and professors to share their expertise, insights, and research findings pertaining to school violence and its legal dimensions. Addressing school violence demands a holistic approach, and legal perspectives play a crucial role in shaping policies, protecting rights, and promoting safety within educational institutions. This panel aims to examine the legal implications, challenges, and policy considerations surrounding school violence, contributing to a deeper understanding of the issue.

2:45 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.
Session Title: High School Students Voices Against Violence
Moderator: Dr. Niani Smith, Social Worker, District of Columbia Public Schools
Panelists: James Libresco, Student, Alexandria City Public Schools; Chloe Yokitis, Student, Alexandria City Public Schools; Brycen Vanderhorst, Student, Austin Independent School District; Jayden Sample, Student, York Preparatory School

In response to the growing concern surrounding school violence, this dynamic and engaging panel discussion will be led by students, for students. This student driven panel aims to foster open dialogue, share experiences, voice concerns, express thoughts and explore collaborative solutions to address the multifaceted issue of school violence within our communities. By allowing students to speak openly, we hope to create an environment where everyone feels heard and understood. The panel will delve into the root causes of school violence, including bullying, mental health challenges, societal influences, and the impact of digital communication. High school students are encouraged to attend, as this panel is a platform for collective dialogue and action. By involving student bodies, we aim to create a united front against school violence and foster a sense of responsibility for the well-being of our communities.

4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. (In-Person, Separately Ticketed Event)
Session Title: Book Signing with Dr. Bettina Love and SIEEJ
Author: Dr. Bettina Love, William F. Russell Distinguished Professor, Teachers College, Columbia University
Location: The American University College of Law, 4300 Nebraska Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

For an additional fee of $100 (or included the standard SIEEJ registration for American University School of Education alumni), receive reserved seating at the below lecture, a copy of Dr. Bettina Love’s book, Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal which she will sign for you, along with the opportunity to have your photo taken with her.

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Offered Online and In-Person)
The Dr. Edmund Gordon Distinguished Lecture and Q&A
Speaker: Dr. Bettina Love, William F. Russell Distinguished Professor, Teachers College, Columbia University with remarks by Dr. Edmund Gordon, the John M. Musser Professor of Psychology, Emeritus, Yale University; Richard March Hoe Professor, Emeritus of Psychology and Education; and Founding Director of the Institute of Urban and Minority Education (IUME), Teachers College, Columbia University
Location: Virtually, or at the American University College of Law, 4300 Nebraska Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (In-Person)
Closing Reception
Following the lecture, everyone is invited to enjoy a networking reception.

SIEEJ 2024 Speakers

Dr. Nathaniel Bryan

Dr. Nathaniel Bryan is an Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Austin College of Education. His areas of interest are early childhood education policy and practice, gender issues in early childhood education, conceptions of children, urban literacy education, diversity, equity and social justice in early childhood, and qualitative research.

His most recent book, co-edited with Daniella Ann Cook, is titled Critical Race Theory and Classroom Practice (discount code: AFLY01). He is also author of the book Toward a BlackBoyCrit Pedagogy: Black Boys, Male Teachers, and Literacy Early Childhood Classroom Practices and has numerous published book chapters and forthcoming texts and has been published in Journal of School Leadership, American Journal of Play, Urban Review, Urban Education, Equity and Excellence in Education, Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood Education, and more.

Dr. Corbin Campbell

Dr. Corbin Campbell is Acting Co-Dean and Professor in the School of Education. Her research, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Spencer Foundation, and the National Academy of Education, examines three interrelated streams: college teaching in diverse institutional contexts, assessments of higher education quality, and the organizational environments that support faculty in thriving in their careers. Prior to coming to American, Campbell was Associate Professor in the Higher and Postsecondary Education Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Campbell’s research has been published in several top-tier journals, such as the Journal of Higher Education, Research in Higher Education, Review of Higher Education, and Teachers College Record. Her work has been highlighted in news venues such as Inside Higher Education, the Wall Street Journal, NPR, and the New York Times.

Lia Epperson

Lia Epperson, Professor of Law at American University Washington College of Law, is a nationally recognized expert in the areas of constitutional law, civil rights, and education policy. Published in leading journals, her scholarship centers on the constitutional dialogue between federal courts and the political branches, and its implications for educational equity. From 2014-2018, Epperson served as Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs at the law school. In 2018, she was awarded an Institute for Advanced Studies fellowship with the Collegium de Lyon in Lyon, France, working with scholars at the University of Lyon and from around the world on issues of constitutional law. Among other international engagements, she has served as a visiting professor and lecturer at University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, Central European University in Budapest, Hungary, and National University of Ireland in Galway. Epperson has appeared on news outlets including CNN, NBC News, and C-SPAN.

Dr. Edmund W. Gordon

Dr. Edmund W. Gordon is the John M. Musser Professor of Psychology, Emeritus at Yale University; Richard March Hoe Professor, Emeritus of Psychology and Education; and Founding Director of the Institute of Urban and Minority Education (IUME) at Teachers College, Columbia University. Gordon was Vice President of Academic Affairs and Interim Dean at Teachers College, Columbia University, and his distinguished career spans professional practice, scholarly life as a minister, clinical and counseling psychologist, research scientist, author, editor, and professor. He held appointments at several of the nation’s leading universities including Howard, Yeshiva, Columbia, City University of New York, Yale, and the Educational Testing Service. He has served as visiting professor at City College of New York and Harvard. Currently, Professor Gordon is the Senior Scholar and Advisor to the President of the College Board where he developed and co-chaired the Taskforce on Minority High Achievement. Author and/or editor of more than 15 books and 175 articles, Gordon is a psychologist and expert in child development who has worked throughout his career on the issues and challenges of underprivileged and minority students in American education. As a clinician and researcher, he explored divergent learning styles and advocated for supplemental education long before most scholars had recognized the existence and importance of those ideas. He was Chief of the Head Start Research Office under President Lyndon Johnson and he organized and mentored the (ETS) Gordon Commission, bringing together scholars to research and report on the Future of Assessment for Education. His most recent publication, Human Variance and Assessment for Learning, is a further development of ideas generated from the Gordon Commission. Read more about him in this article.

Dr. Rodney Hopson

Rodney Hopson is an accomplished scholar, academic leader and thought partner who serves as Acting Co-Dean and Professor in American University's School of Education. Most recently, Hopson served as Professor of Evaluation in the Department of Educational Psychology, College of Education, with appointments in the Department of Educational Policy and Organizational Leadership and the Center of African Studies at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign. As part of the inaugural University of Illinois System Distinguished Faculty Recruitment Program, Hopson served as catalyst in re-envisioning the Evaluation unit in the department, developing externally funded partnerships with and for PhD students, and leading assistant professor development efforts.

Gregory Neal Jackson, Jr.

Gregory Neal Jackson, Jr. is a survivor of gun violence. In 2013, he was shot in Washington, DC. Since that pivotal experience, he has been working tirelessly to address gun violence through local community engagement and policy advocacy at the Community Justice Action Fund (CJAF), a group that addresses the intersection of gun violence prevention and criminal justice reform in urban communities of color. CJAF utilizes evidence-based research, data, and analytics to drive the conversation around injustices, especially those that disproportionately affect communities of color.

He also serves as a Special Assistant to President Joseph Biden and Deputy Director of the White House Office on Gun Violence Prevention and is calling for bold changes to unrig the rules of democracy and open the door to progress for the gun violence prevention community. He has taken on the fight for DC statehood to allow the more than 700,000 mostly Black and Brown residents of the nation’s capital an equal say in America and shares his powerful story on the lecture curcuit nationwide.

Dr. Bettina L. Love

Dr. Bettina L. Love holds the prestigious William F. Russell Professorship at Teachers College, Columbia University, and is the acclaimed author of the New York Times bestseller “Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal.” In 2022, the Kennedy Center recognized Love as one of the Next 50 Leaders dedicated to making the world more inspired, inclusive, and compassionate. As a co-founder of the Abolitionist Teaching Network (ATN), Love actively contributes to its mission of nurturing and empowering teachers and parents who are committed to fighting injustice within their educational institutions and communities.

D Dr. Sophia Rodriguez r. Sophia Rodriguez

Sophia Rodriguez is an Associate Professor in Urban Education at the University of Maryland, College Park, and an incoming Associate Professor of Educational Policy Studies at NYU. Her interdisciplinary scholarship - drawing on tools from education, anthropology, and sociology - asks questions about the social and cultural contexts of education policy and practice. Her integrated research agenda addresses issues related to racial equity, urban education, leadership, and policy, and centralizes minoritized youth voices. Her current projects utilize mixed-methods and ethnographic designs to investigate how community-school partnerships, teachers, leaders, and critical school-based personnel promote equity and advocate for immigrant youth.

She recently founded and directs the ImmigrantEdNext Research Lab, a public-facing research hub that involves mentoring doctoral students in multiple projects about how districts, schools, community-based organizations can create spaces of belonging for immigrant youth. She was awarded a mentoring grant from the W.T. Grant foundation to support junior researchers of color in this effort. She received the Early Career Award for Division G (Social Contexts of Education) from the American Educational Research Association.

A Message from SIEEJ Director Antonio Ellis

Dear Esteemed Attendees,

Welcome to the American University Summer Institute on Education Equity and Justice! It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you participating in this year's virtual conference. This year, our conference theme is "Ending Violence in PreK-16 Schools," a topic of utmost importance and urgency in today's educational landscape. As educators, administrators, researchers, policymakers, and advocates, we all share a collective responsibility to create safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments for all students.

Violence in schools not only threatens the physical safety and well-being of students and staff but also undermines the very foundations of equitable and just education. It perpetuates inequalities, fosters fear and trauma, and hinders students' ability to learn and thrive. Throughout this conference, we will engage in meaningful dialogue, share innovative practices, and collaborate on solutions to end violence in PreK-16 schools. We will hear from leading experts and practitioners in the field, participate in virtual keynote presentations, fireside chats, panel sessions and discussions, and learn from each other's experiences and insights. We also welcome you to our in-person Distinguished Edmund Gordon Lecture, featuring Dr. Bettina Love, New York Times Bestselling author of We Want to Do More The Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom and Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal.

I encourage you to fully engage in the sessions, connect with fellow attendees, and take advantage of the valuable learning and networking opportunities available to you. Together, let us inspire change, foster resilience, and build a brighter future for all students. Thank you for joining us at the American University Summer Institute on Education Equity and Justice. Let's embark on this journey together, united in our mission to end violence in PreK-16 schools and create a better world for generations to come.

Warm regards,
Dr. Antonio L. Ellis