Equity in Education Summit

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Equity in Education Summit

Missing Voices: Equity in Education Summit is a collective-impact summit of educators, students, families, and community members that defines solutions to improve the future of education.

What Makes It Special

Most educational conferences are provided as an opportunity for educators only. By doing that, multiple perspectives are missing in the conversations. Our goal is to bring all voices together and move from discussion to action.

Through collaboration focused on equity, the Saint Mary’s Graduate School of Education’s Missing Voices: Equity in Education Summit brings together educators, students, families, and community members. When missing perspectives are intentionally included, our community is bound to be more creative in our solution-making and we will increase the opportunity to collectively improve the future.

Why Attend?

Throughout the day, participants have the opportunity to learn strategies, identify new resources, experience creative expression, engage in dialogue and intentional networking, and commit to individual action toward solutions to make our schools more equitable. 

How Can I Help?

Make a donation that will:

  • Allow participants, especially students, families, and community members, to attend the event free of charge.
  • Sponsor follow-up events focused on action planning, particularly Youth Action Retreats.
  • Assist families in need of childcare during the event.

Questions?

Contact us at missingvoices@smumn.edu.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota will bestow awards to three (3) individuals who are working toward educational equity in P-12 and higher education institutions and within the greater community:

  1. Culturally Responsive Leadership award recognizes an educator/ administrator in P-12 or higher education who is a collaborative, innovative and future-thinking solution-seeker working to address issues of equity in education;
  2. Community Advocate for Change award celebrates work being done by an individual or group within the greater community working to help parents, families and communities address issues of educational equity and;
  3. Youth Equity Solutions (YES!) award honors a youth (age 15-22 years) working for educational equity within their school or community. Saint Mary’s University seeks nominations for individuals or groups who meet the criteria for each award and who have not been recognized previously.

If you know of an organization, group, or individual who meets these guidelines or has perhaps gone above and beyond in an area of educational equity that is “outside the box” of the criteria listed, nominate them!

Please complete and return this application form by June 1, 2017.

Nominees will be screened by the Missing Voices Committee and selected by the President and Cabinet of Saint Mary’s University of MN. Nominees will be contacted by the Missing Voices Committee if chosen. The recipients of these awards will be honored during a ceremony at the Missing Voices: Equity in Education Summit (date and time TBA).

Recognition Awards Criteria

Culturally Responsive Leadership Award

  • Awarded to educator or administrator.
  • Demonstrated impact on the educational community or working directly with youth (creation of new programming, outreach beyond their own sphere, helped to change policy, worked across populations to bring communities together to bring greater opportunities to all kids, created partnerships with outside organizations, leader of equity initiatives).
  • Collaborative, future-thinking, innovative, solution-seeker. Believes in the power of people and embodies a spirit of service.

Community Advocate for Change Award

  • Awarded to community member.
  • Demonstrated impact on the community or working directly with youth (creation of new programming, outreach beyond their own sphere, helped to change policy, worked across populations to bring communities together to bring greater opportunities to all kids, created partnerships with outside organizations, leader of equity initiatives).
  • Collaborative, future-thinking, innovative, solution-seeker. Believes in the power of people and embodies a spirit of service.

Youth Equity Solutions (YES!) Award
The Youth Equity Solutions (YES!) team supports the Missing Voices: Equity in Education Summit under the philosophy of Ubuntu: each person in the learning community contributes their unique cultural identity to the greater whole. Missing Voices youth engagement is intended to move youth from a mindset where they must lose who they are to learn to one where they must know who they are to learn. Youth leaders model the process of honoring all cultural assets in the classroom. The Youth Equity Solutions Award is designed to recognize a youth whose advocacy and dedication to educational equity mirrors this philosophy

  • Awarded to young person between 15 and 22 years old.
  • Has a demonstrated passion and dedication to equity work.
  • Sets a strong example for peers.
  • Is a servant leader who gives back to the community.
  • Actively engages and rallies their peers.
  • Acts as a liaison between student groups, administrators and other community members.
  • Has identified an important community solution and has organized some effort to make a
  • difference.