The COVID-19 pandemic and the global Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests have made 2020 a profoundly remarkable moment in US history. Through a variety of webinar formats and topics, MAEC is exploring how folks are navigating these unprecedented times. We invite you to join us in conversations, presentations, panel discussions, and Q&As. We will hear from students, teachers, administrators, parents, and community members as they share their stories – our stories. Together, we hope to offer a broadened perspective, useful information, and wisdom for school leaders and educators to apply moving forward. Topics and Mini-series: - Civil Rights in Schools - Conversations with... - Culturally Responsive Education in Schools - The Family Table - Family Room
Upcoming Events
September 29th - Using Culturally Responsive Practices to Support Native American Students
How can we affirm and support Native American students in schools? In this webinar, presenters will discuss strategies for implementing culturally responsive policies and practices to advance the education of Native American students. We hope to incr...
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Reaching and Teaching English Learners, Newcomer Students, and English Learners with Disabilities during the Pandemic
Date of the event: September 15, 2020
Guests: Charo Basterra, BethAnn Berliner, Gallia Kassiano, and Silvia de Ruvo and Lisa Tabaku
Description - The COVID-19 pandemic has upended schooling as we know it. As schools reopen, whether virtually, in-person, or as a hybrid approach, educators are facing new challenges. Among them are providing critical services, especially for English Learners and students with disabilities. Families that are not proficient in English also face language barriers that may impede their […]
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Return to School: Culturally Responsive Practices in Times of Adversity
Date of the event: August 26, 2020
Guests: Karmen Rouland, Vanessa Coleman, Kathleen Guarino, Alicia Espinoza, Dr. Stacey Cole, Doug Fireside, and Gwendolyn Unoko
Description - In this webinar, district and school leaders were brought together to share the latest practice and research on trauma informed practices for supporting student well-being during times of adversity. During this extended COVID response time, and with some students returning to school buildings and others remaining offcampus, this webinar featured practitioners and content experts sharing […]
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Family Voices in School Reopenings
Date of the event: August 06, 2020
Guests: Bianca Scott, Dr. Seth Shaffer, and Mariela Puentes
Description - In this webinar we were joined by Bianca Scott, UPLAN Parent Leader. United Parent Leaders Action Network (UPLAN) is a national network of families who come together to inform educational policies and programs across the United States. Bianca discussed her advocacy journey, work with UPLAN, and her transition from working with a school district in […]
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COVID-19, Racism and Xenophobia: A Discussion on How and Why the Pandemic is Affecting Asian Americans
Date of the event: July 07, 2020
Guests: Jason Oliver Chang, Michelle Nutter, Fred Pinguel, Noreen Rodriguez, and Yan Yii
Description - The COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionately harming all people of color in the United States. For Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, one way this harm has manifested is in a rise in hate incidents. These incidents are fueled by both a long history of anti-Asian xenophobia and racism, and stigmatizing references to COVID-19 as a “Chinese […]
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Black Lives Matter at School: A Discussion with Educators on the Intersections of Activism and Pedagogy
Date of the event: June 30, 2020
Guests: Tamara Anderson, Awo Okaikor Aryee-Price, Ismael Jimenez, Denisha Jones, Ph.D., J.D., Charlie McGeehan, Erika Strauss Chavarria, and Matthew Vaughn-Smith
Description - The recent killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor, Manuel Ellis, George Floyd, and countless others have left communities across the globe outraged and in mourning. Their deaths have led to massive, global, Black Lives Matter demonstrations condemning the use of police violence against Black people. As many of us have been captivated by the […]
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A Conversation With Latinx Families/Conversaciones con Familias Latinas
Date of the event: May 19, 2020
Guests: Gina Argotti, Maria Lopez, Islas Mendoza, Jeny Morayma Oliva, Maria del Carmen Romero, Norma Vasquez, and Johanny Euseblo de Almonte
Description - The COVID-19 crisis has forced students, parents, teachers and school administrators to think about education in a different manner. As a follow up to our webinar series that featured student and teacher voices, we hear from the Latinx community disproportionately impacted by this crisis. Latinx parents discuss how the global pandemic has affected their students’ […]
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A Conversation With Teachers
Date of the event: May 05, 2020
Guests: Kyair Butts, Julie Duffee, Jade Johnson, Kathie Johnson, Heather Polonsky, Devon Robbins, and Amber Williams
Description - The COVID-19 crisis has forced teachers to implement distance learning plans overnight. As a follow up to our Conversation with Students that featured voices nationwide from Portland (ME and OR) to Los Angeles, we heard from practitioners about how the global pandemic has impacted their practice. We learned: what resources are available for all students, how teachers are […]
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Family Leadership and Advocacy in School Reopening Decisions
Date of the event: July 30, 2020
Guests: Maya Martin Cadogan, Nicole Johnson-Douglas, Dr. Karmen Rouland, and Mariela Puentes
Description - In this webinar we were joined by Maya Martin Cadogan, Founder and Executive Director of DC PAVE, and PAVE Parent, Nicole Johnson-Douglas. DC PAVE is an organization dedicated to involving children and families in crafting a vision for education in DC. Our guests discussed how families can partner with leaders in creating school reopening plans […]
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How Are We Going to Reopen Schools?
Date of the event: July 23, 2020
Guests: Steven Hicks, Pam Smith, Dr. Seth Shaffer, and Mariela Puentes
Description - In this webinar we were joined by Steven Hicks, Assistant State Superintendent for the Maryland State Department of Education Division of Early Childhood Development and Pam Smith, Acting Executive Deputy Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Our guests discussed their plans for the physical safety and well-being of students, teachers, staff, and families. They […]
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A Conversation With Students: How COVID-19 is Affecting their Educational Experience
Date of the event: April 14, 2020
Guests: 9 Students from all over the US
Description - A national education conversation has gotten underway on the impact of COVID-19 on student learning and how schools and districts are responding to this crisis. In this conversation we hear from the students themselves. Whereas educators from across the nation are focusing their efforts on providing an alternative learning experience to students via distance and […]
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STEM: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Date of the event: July 16, 2020
Guests: Dr. Chris Williams, Dr. Seth Shaffer, and Mariela Puentes
Description - In this webinar Dr. Chris Williams from the National Museum of African American History and Culture, helped us reflect on how history and STEM practices and principles can be integrated every day. This webinar also featured the Question Corner with child psychologist, Dr. Seth Shaffer*, and education expert, Mariela Puentes.
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Full Steam Ahead to Summer!
Date of the event: July 09, 2020
Guests: Alecia Gabriel, Dr. Seth Shaffer and Mariela Puentes
Description - In this webinar we welcomed Alecia Gabriel from Motor City S.T.E.A.M., a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing STEAM (Science. Technology. Engineering. Art, Mathematics)-related educational programs and opportunities for minority and underprivileged students. Alecia Gabriel shared ways that families can have fun with science and math this summer by using everyday objects and materials. This webinar […]
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Healing through Art
Date of the event: June 25, 2020
Guests: Aselin Flowers,Dr. Kristin Carothers, and Dr. Seth Shaffer
Description - In this webinar we were joined by Aselin Flowers from ArtReach at George Washington University, an organization that aspires to be a cornerstone for community engagement through visual art-based work. We tapped into our creative side through a live demonstration of mixed-media journaling facilitated by Aselin Flores. Also, in the Question Corner, child psychologists Dr. […]
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Play is Powerful: Playing with Everyday Materials
Date of the event: June 18, 2020
Guests: Patty Stine, Dr. Seth Shaffer, Dr. Karmen Rouland, and Mariela Puentes
Description - In this webinar we were joined by Patty Stine from Pure Play Every Day, a nonprofit organization that helps families cultivate unstructured, undirected free play as a way to develop problem-solving and emotional regulation skills. We accessed our inner children through a free play demo with instructive commentary from Patty Stine. Participants came away from […]
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Continuing the Conversation: Talking about Race and Social Justice with Children
Date of the event: June 11, 2020
Guests: Christine Platt, Dr. Kristin Carothers and Dr. Seth Shaffer
Description - In this webinar we were joined by Christine Platt, literacy advocate and passionate activist for social justice and policy reform. Ms. Platt read and discussed her children’s book, Trailblazers: Martin Luther King Jr. In the Question Corner, child psychologists Dr. Kristin Carothers and Dr. Seth Shaffer discussed age appropriate conversations to have with your children […]
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How Do We Talk to Kids About Race and Racism?
Date of the event: June 04, 2020
Guests: Dr. Carla Easter, Dr. Seth Shaffer, Dr. Karmen Rouland and Mariela Puentes
Description - The alarming events over the past weeks have raised a critical question for parents: how do we talk to kids about race and racism? This week on the Family Room we unpack this complex issue so you can help your child process what is going on. We were joined again by NIH’s Dr. Carla Easter, […]
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Learning Labs
Date of the event: May 28, 2020
Guests: Ann Caspari (NASM), Dr. Seth Shaffer, and Mariela Puentes
Description - This webinar featured Ann Caspari from the National Air and Space Museum who brought to life the museum’s Flights of Fancy and demonstrated how their Learning Labs can be recreated at home. The webinar continued with the Question Corner with child psychologist Dr. Seth Shaffer and education expert Mariela Puentes.
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Exploring Your Genes
Date of the event: May 21, 2020
Guests: Carla Easter, Dr. Seth Shaffer and Mariela Puentes
Description - This webinar featured Carla Easter on Exploring Your Genes and discussed how to explore the human genome with your family members. The webinar continued with the Question Corner with child psychologist Dr. Seth Shaffer and education expert Mariela Puentes.
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Maintaining Healthy Relationships
Date of the event: May 14, 2020
Guests: MJ, Dr. Seth Shaffer, and Mariela Puentes
Description - This webinar features segments by MJ from Little Friends for Peace, and the Question Corner with child psychologist Dr. Seth Shaffer and education expert Mariela Puentes. We discussed ways to build peace in your family, how to be kind to one another, and ways to solve problems without fighting.
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Parenting Resiliency During COVID-19
Date of the event: May 07, 2020
Guests: Dr. Seth Shaffer
Description - Dr. Seth Shaffer, a child psychologist, joined us to address the concerns that parents and families are feeling during these unprecedented, COVID-19 times.
