Past Events
April Summit: “Equity in Education: Equipping Exceptional Educators”
Speakers
Allison N. Oliver, PhD, Assistant Professor of Special Education at Austin Peay University
Christine D. Lewis, PhD, LPC (MS), NCC, NCSC, Assistant Professor of School Counseling at East Tennessee State University
218 Participants
Our April summit’s goal was to offer professional development to teacher candidates on the topic of equity in education covering two main objectives. The first objective was to provide teacher candidates with a clear and operational definition of what equity in education means, and to explore the use of non-maleficence in promoting equity in the classroom. The second objective was to enable teacher candidates to apply their understanding of equitable educational practices through a tiered model, which will provide an in-depth description of the impact these practices can have on their future classrooms. Overall, this presentation sought to equip teacher candidates with the knowledge and tools needed to promote equity in their classrooms and support the academic success of all students, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances.
Leading Equity-based MTSS for all students: An Introduction
Speakers
Dr. Dawn Miller, Associate Director of Technical Assistance for the Life Span Institute at The University of Kansas
Dr. Andrea Mayfield, Leadership Development and Research Project Director for the Life Span Institute at The University of Kansas
218 Participants
This two half-day virtual training built knowledge of equity-based MTSS to improve outcomes for all students, explored the SWIFT Framework from University of Kansas including the Domains and Features of the Framework, and introduced SWIFT evidence-based practices for installation of equity based MTSS. MTSS district leadership teams, academic and behavioral interventionists, administrators, and all educators were all invited to attend to maximize the outcomes and impacts of this critical work.
Community Action Poverty Simulation
175 participants
Community Action Poverty Simulation
The Community Action Poverty Simulation was an event where participants were randomly assigned to be part of one of 26 families who are experiencing poverty. During the 3-hour event, the participants took on a variety of roles in their families and learned how to survive in poverty. This includes making difficult decisions about keeping food on the table, finding reliable transportation, and finding work. While this event is a simulation, all parts of the event are based on the real life experiences of people living in poverty. This event was held in collaboration with the Community Action Poverty Simulation from Missouri Community Action Network. For more information about the poverty simulation, visit their website at https://www.povertysimulation.net.
We have held events for a variety of groups and continue to hold simulations for organizations/groups within and outside of the School of Education.
July 2023: For our first simulation, we invited preservice teachers, PK-12 educators, administrators, and state-wide education officials to participate in the simulation.
October 2023: As a part of their senior practicum experience, the School of Education’s elementary and special education students participated in their own poverty simulation.
February 2024: We hosted 50 secondary student teachers on February 2nd during their student teaching placement for a poverty simulation.
If you are interested in borrowing a Poverty Simulation kit to facilitate your own poverty simulation, please email Anna Grace Robinson at [email protected]. We contact you with details about the borrowing process and coordinate a pick-up time.
Dr. Kim S. Benton Bio
For our Spring 2024 event for student teachers, we are thankful for the opportunity to host Dr. Kim Benton as a keynote speaker in our afternoon sessions. She will be presenting the national comprehensive center‘s, high-impact instructional strategies toolkit that focuses on supporting students who live in poverty.
Dr. Kim S. Benton, with 40 years of service in public education in Mississippi, most recently served as Interim State Superintendent of Education, in 2022 and Chief Academic Officer/ Deputy State Superintendent of Education in 2012-2018 and again in 2021 where she led the implementation of hallmark initiatives including the Early Childhood Collaborative Act, Mississippi K-12 College and Career Ready Standards, and the Literacy-Based Promotion Act.
Dr. Benton has served as a consultant, author, and trainer for the Academic Development Institute, the National Comprehensive Center, Regional Comprehensive Centers, and multiple State Departments of Education. She currently serves as Associate Professor in Educational Leadership at William Carey University and has previously served as an adjunct instructor for Mississippi State University and the University of West Alabama.
A veteran educator and leader, Dr. Benton started her career as an assistant teacher and later served as a teacher, instructional coach, principal, district director of federal programs and special populations programs, and interim superintendent for the MS Schools for the Deaf and Blind. Her awards include the Mississippi House of Representatives Resolution of Service to Public Education in MS, the Mississippi State Board of Education Resolution of Service as Interim State Superintendent, the Dan Merritt Courage Award, the National Association of Elementary School Principals’ and Mississippi Distinguished Principal Award; and the Mississippi Association of School Administrators, Golden Lamp Award.
She has served in multiple state and national leadership roles including past president of the Mississippi Early Childhood Association and Mississippi Professional Educators, the Mississippi Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Advisory Board and National Assessment Governing Board Task Force.