The 2023 Education Conference
Presented by Indiana University
July 13th, 2023
Indiana Convention Center
Registration is now open. More information below.
Reimagining the Educational Landscape
2023 Keynote Speakers

Linsey Davis
Linsey Davis is currently an anchor for ABC News Live Prime, which is ABC News Live’s first-ever streaming evening newscast, and weekend “World News Tonight” on Sundays. She is a correspondent filing reports for “World News Tonight,” “Good Morning America,” “20/20” and “Nightline.”
Davis has conducted powerful exclusive interviews with Shelley Lynn Thornton, also known as Baby Roe, the daughter of Jane Roe; Kevin Strickland, a wrongfully convicted Missouri man who was released from prison after 43 years; Myon Burrell, a Minneapolis inmate who said he was wrongfully convicted for murder; and Nick Cannon to discuss his journey towards atonement, education, and self-improvement after making anti-Semitic comments and espousing conspiracy theories.

Glenn Singleton
Glenn Singleton has devoted over thirty years to constructing racial equity worldwide and developing leaders to do the same. Author, thought leader, and strategist; he is the creator of Courageous Conversation®, a protocol, and framework for sustained, deepened dialogue, and Beyond Diversity™, the curriculum that has taught hundreds of thousands of people how to use it. Glenn is the Founder and CEO of Courageous Conversation®, an agency that guides leadership development in education, government, corporation, law enforcement, and community organizing. He is the award–winning author of Courageous Conversations About Race; A Field Guide for Achieving Equity in Schools, Third Edition; and MORE Courageous Conversations About Race.
Schedule
Linsey Davis is currently an anchor for ABC News Live Prime, which is ABC News Live’s first-ever streaming evening newscast, and weekend “World News Tonight” on Sundays. She is a correspondent filing reports for “World News Tonight,” “Good Morning America,” “20/20,” and “Nightline.”
Davis has conducted powerful exclusive interviews with Shelley Lynn Thornton, also known as Baby Roe, the daughter of Jane Roe; Kevin Strickland, a wrongfully convicted Missouri man who was released from prison after 43 years; Myon Burrell, a Minneapolis inmate who said he was wrongfully convicted for murder; and Nick Cannon to discuss his journey towards atonement, education, and self-improvement after making anti-Semitic comments and espousing conspiracy theories.
Workshop Sessions
Critical Conversations for Ensuring Outcomes – Focused Equity Work
Speaker: Dr. Renae Azziz, Virtuoso Education Consulting
Strategies for Educating Males of Color who have Experienced Trauma
Speaker: Robert Jackson, Robert Jackson Consulting LLC
Challenges and Opportunities in the Learning Environment
Speaker: Info Coming Soon
School of Tomorrow: Implications of AI, VR, and the Metaverse on Education
Speaker(s): Dr. LaTonya M. Turner, Marian University & Dr. Erika Wise, Marian University
Workshop Sessions
Critical Conversations for Ensuring Outcomes – Focused Equity Work
Speaker: Dr. Renae Azziz, Virtuoso Education Consulting
Challenges and Opportunities in the Learning Environment
Speaker: Info Coming Soon
School of Tomorrow: Implications of AI, VR, and the Metaverse on Education
Speaker(s): Dr. LaTonya M. Turner, Marian University & Dr. Erika Wise, Marian University
Glenn Singleton has devoted over thirty years to constructing racial equity worldwide and developing leaders to do the same. Writer, thought leader, and strategist; he is the creator of Courageous Conversation®, a protocol, and framework for sustained, deepened dialogue, and Beyond Diversity™, the curriculum that has taught hundreds of thousands of people how to use it. Glenn is the Founder and CEO of Courageous Conversation®, an agency that guides leadership development in education, government, corporation, law enforcement, and community organizing. He is the award–winning author of Courageous Conversations About Race; A Field Guide for Achieving Equity in Schools, Third Edition; and MORE Courageous Conversations About Race.
Workshop Sessions
Critical Conversations for Ensuring Outcomes – Focused Equity Work
Speaker: Dr. Renae Azziz, Virtuoso Education Consulting
Strategies for Educating Males of Color who have Experienced Trauma
Speaker: Robert Jackson, Robert Jackson Consulting LLC
Challenges and Opportunities in the Learning Environment
Speaker: Info Coming Soon
School of Tomorrow: Implications of AI, VR, and the Metaverse on Education
Speaker(s): Dr. LaTonya M. Turner, Marian University & Dr. Erika Wise, Marian University
Registration for this year's event is now closed.
2023 Conference Sessions
Click Each to Expand
Dr. Renae Azziz, Virtuoso Education Consulting
Dr. Azziz is the Founder and Director of Virtuoso Education Consulting. She and her team of consultants support clients in both the business and educational sectors with staff training focused on the implementation of best practices that lead to organizational change.
Description: After decades of conversations focused on the need to address educational inequities impacting black and brown students, many educators have a keen awareness of the importance of and need for Equity focused work in education. But awareness and periodic professional development may not always yield changes in outcomes. In this session, participants will engage in critical conversations to assess the degree to which efforts to address racial disparities in education are performative or authentic. Participants will:
- Learn the definitions of performative and authentic equity work.
- Consider the Mindset, Toolsets, and Skillsets required to produce sustainable outcomes.
- Gain strategies to assess the historical and current actions of their organizations.
Session Time(s):
10:50 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Robert Jackson, Robert Jackson Consulting LLC
Presenter Bio: For every problem, there is a solution is Robert’s motto. Jackson began his teaching career 27 years ago in Indianapolis Public Schools after being cut from the NFL Minnesota Vikings in 1995. He has become one of the most sought-after speakers in the country, delivering keynote addresses and workshops to educators, administrators, parents, and students.
Description: Black and Latino Males are the most misunderstood, suspended, and expelled students in school systems. It’s important to understand the thought process of these young men to educate them more effectively. Trauma is experienced in many different forms and these young men live in fear daily. It’s illustrated in their negative interactions at school. This interactive session will give strategies to teach educators and administrators how to become the educator these young men need, especially those who have experienced trauma in many ways. Mr. Jackson will be sharing research from his ASCD Gold Excel Award Winning Book, “Becoming the Educator They Need: Mindsets, Strategies, and Beliefs for Supporting Male Black and Latino Students. Come join this fun session and learn techniques educators and administrators can use right away.
Session Time(s): 10:50 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.
Session Description: Understanding the important role culture and perceptions play in the classroom is essential to providing first-rate and accessible education opportunities to every student. This panel discussion, featuring Directors of four Cultural Commissions in Indiana, will share information regarding challenges students from various cultures have faced and continue to face in the learning environment, especially residual pandemic issues, and offer solutions that create opportunities for awareness and positive change.
Session Time(s):
10:50 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Panelists

Alexis Gonzalez, Director of The Indiana Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs
Panelist Bio: Alexis Gonzalez is the proud daughter of immigrant parents from Guadalajara, Mexico. She serves as the Director of The Indiana Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs (ICHLA).Her background in socio-political issues has influenced her to work toward the betterment of the Latinx community. Currently serving as the Board President of The Latinas Welding Guild, she assists welding graduates as they navigate through male-dominated environments.

Gail Brown, Director of the Indiana Native American Indian Affairs Commission
Panelist Bio: Gail Brown assumed his role as director of the Indiana Native American Indian Affairs Commission (INAIAC) in April of 2023. As director, he works with federal, state, and local agencies along with a variety of community organizations to promote INAIAC’s mission. The mission is to examine issues and to improve lives of Native Americans in Indiana in the areas of civil rights, health, housing, education, and employment.

Jordan Teske-Harrison, Director of the Indiana Commission for Women
Panelist Bio: Jordan Teske-Harrison joined the state of Indiana as the Director of the Indiana Commission for Women (IWC) in August 2021. Thus far in her tenure, Jordan has secured the first Doula Program for the Indiana Women’s Prison, sponsored the Elkhart Chapter of Indiana Black Expo first ever Black Women’s Expo and Conference and the Latinas Welding Guild’s Equitable Employment Program, and organized the International Women’s Day Conference with the “Dream Team,” Rupal Thanawala and Mukti Patel.

Virgil Giles, Director of the Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males
Panelist Bio: Virgil Giles is the Director of the Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males (ICSSBM), a cultural commission operating under the umbrella of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC). Before being named the Director of ICSSBM in March 2023, Virgil was the Deputy Director of External Affairs for ICRC serving as the team lead for all education programs and initiatives, marketing, public outreach, public relations, and communications efforts for the agency.
Session Description: Understanding the important role culture and perceptions play in the classroom is essential to providing first-rate and accessible education opportunities to every student. This panel discussion, featuring Directors of four Cultural Commissions in Indiana, will share information regarding challenges students from various cultures have faced and continue to face in the learning environment, especially residual pandemic issues, and offer solutions that create opportunities for awareness and positive change.
Session Time(s):
10:50 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Panelists

LaQuita Maxey, UniServ Organizer, Indiana State Teachers Association
Panelist Bio: LaQuita Maxey, has been a part of Indiana State Teachers Association as UniServ Organizer since April 2018. Her labor organizing work’s focus is on social and racial justice. She serves as staff liaison for Racial Affairs Committee, and National Education Association State Human and Civil Rights Liaison.

Dr. Hardy Murphy, Clinical Associate Professor, IUPUI Urban Leadership and Policy Studies Program
Panelist Bio: Hardy Murphy, Ph.D. is currently a Clinical Associate Professor in the IUPUI Urban Leadership and Policy Studies Program. His areas of teaching and research interest are district and school improvement, strategic planning, effective program implementation and evaluation, educator supervision and evaluation, and special education inclusion.

Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer, president, Indiana Coalition for Public Education
Panelist Bio: Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer is a public education advocate, MCCSC school board member, former chair of the Indiana Coalition for Public Education of Monroe County and now is president of the state-level Indiana Coalition for Public Education.

Dr. Jim Scheurich, Professor and Coordinator of the Urban Education Studies doctoral program at IUPUI
Panelist Bio:Dr. Jim Scheurich is a Professor and Coordinator of the Urban Education Studies doctoral program at the University of Indiana – Indianapolis (IUPUI). He is an anti-racist, community activist scholar committed to addressing the institutional and systemic inequities and injustices in urban educational and community contexts.
Description: As educators, we are tasked with teaching and developing future generations. We are responsible for educating children for a world unimagined. With the rapid advances in technology, how can teachers be better prepared to teach in the schools of tomorrow? In this session, we will explore the potential impact of artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and the Metaverse on teaching and learning. Although these technologies are relatively new, they have unforeseen effects on education.
The session goals include:
- To provide an overview of the latest developments and trends in AI, VR, and Metaverse technology and how they can be applied in education.
- To explore the potential benefits of using AI, VR, and Metaverse technology in education, such as improved engagement, personalized learning, and enhanced student outcomes.
- To discuss the challenges and limitations of using AI, VR, and Metaverse technology in education, such as cost, access, and ethical considerations.
- To showcase examples of successful implementation of AI, VR, and Metaverse technology in different educational settings and subject areas.
- To provide hands-on experience and training on using specific AI, VR, and Metaverse tools and software for educational purposes.
Overall, the workshop aims to help participants develop a deeper understanding of AI, VR, and the Metaverse’s potential in education and provide practical skills and knowledge to use these tools effectively in teaching and learning practices. Artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and Metaverse technology are just a few technological tools that can lead to “Reimagining the Educational Landscape” now and preparing for an unimagined future. Please note: Attendees will need to bring a laptop with them for this session.
Session Time(s):
10:50 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Presenters

Dr. LaTonya M. Turner, Marian University
Presenter Bio: Dr. Turner serves as the Dean of The Klipsch Educators College at Marian University; she is a former teacher, school counselor, and principal, with over 16 years of K-12 experience, in traditional public, charter, parochial, and private school settings. Dr. Turner continuously seeks ways to ensure all children, regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic standing, have ample opportunity to maximize their potential.

Dr. Erika Wise, Marian University
Presenter Bio: Dr. Erika Wise earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Butler University in 1998 and her master’s in technology education from Walden University in 2004. She also earned a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Marian University in 2016 and recently earned a doctorate in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University in 2021.

Bwana Clements, social worker, professional consultant, program developer, keynote speaker and author.
Presenter Bio: Bwana Clements, affectionately known in the community as “Mr. B” is a local social worker, professional consultant, program developer, keynote speaker and author. With more than 20 years of community engagement with youth and families, Mr. B has earned a reputation for his ability to connect and build relationships with a special emphasis on hard-to-reach populations, his core belief is that ALL youth desire to be successful and only need the skills, relationships, and opportunities to achieve it.
Description: This session will provide teachers and social service professionals tips on ways to avoid tense, contentious relationships with students and clients. Behaviors are communications that we can either fight with or use to build understanding and connection. The Connection Before Correction workshop empowers participants with skills, strategies, and perspective reset needed to be successful in today’s classroom.
Session Time(s):
10:50 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Session Description: For 54 years, the Indiana University Groups Scholars Program has partnered with families, K-12 systems, and community partners to support the success of more than 14,000 Indiana students. As the program expands beyond the Bloomington campus to provide opportunities in various communities across the state, the commitment to holistically empowering students by leveraging their local support systems grows ever stronger. Join Indiana University Bloomington and Northwest administrators in exploring the best practices, strengths, and challenges associated with community – school partnerships.
Session Time(s):
10:50 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Panelists

Samuel R. Young II, Director of Group Scholars Program, Indiana University Bloomington
Panelist Bio: Sam Young II joined IU Bloomington in 2015 as associate director for the Groups Scholars Program, becoming interim director in October 2022. In this new role, he manages program activities, oversees recruitment and admissions, and coordinates services and opportunities. Sam also conducts research to generate reports, forecasts, and analyses; develops select educational programs; and connects students with necessary interventions, resources, and services to support their success.

Kimberly Stewart-Brinston, Senior Associate Director, Office of Admissions Indiana University Bloomington
Panelist Bio:Kim Stewart-Brinston is a firm believer in the ability of education to change lives. Kim has dedicated more than two decades to creating opportunities for diverse individuals and communities to manifest the dream that higher education provides as a life changing tool. Over the years she has served in a number of capacities related to inclusion, diversity, education and access.

Antoine Hawkins, Admission Counselor, Office of Admissions Indiana University Northwest
Panelist Bio:Antoine Hawkins is an Admissions Counselor and Groups Scholars Coordinator at Indiana University Northwest. He is passionate about higher education and has worked with a diverse population of high school, returning adults, and transfer students. With over 5 years of experience, Antoine has been recruiting, advising, educating, and advocating for all students at IU Northwest and the NWI/Chicagoland region.
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