The COVID-19 pandemic and the global Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests have made the last year 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 - Family Engagement Reframing Institutes - Family Table - Family Room - Trauma-Informed Family and Community Engagement
2021 MD Family Engagement Summit: How to Build a Village – Why Partnerships Matter?
Date of the event: August 05, 2021
Guests: Amanda Ensor, Sheila Jackson, and Barb Scherr
Description - We all know it takes a village or at least that’s what we have been told. However, it is often overwhelming to find a starting point for building the foundation of this village. In this session, we discussed effective practices for “building your village.” We highlighted strategies for effective partnerships, share ways to reengage your […]
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2021 MD Family Engagement Summit: Rebuilding Togetherness through Play
Date of the event: August 05, 2021
Guests: Patty Stine and Dorothy Stolz
Description - The evidence of children’s predictable play behaviors is all around us. During this session we: identified the characteristics of developmentally advantageous play in each phase of childhood; developed methods to incorporate play throughout the school day; and categorized the physical, intellectual, social and emotional benefits for our students. By intentionally integrating play into our daily […]
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2021 MD Family Engagement Summit: Centering Family Voice to Create Effective Partnerships
Date of the event: August 05, 2021
Guests: Karmen Rouland and Sherri Wilson
Description - This session explored effective strategies for creating meaningful home school partnerships by centering family voice. There was an opportunity to learn about strategies and resources from the Collaborative Action for Family Engagement (CAFE) and the National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE). During the session, parent leaders from early childhood and K-12 systems […]
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2021 MD Family Engagement Summit: Returning to School – Listening and Learning from Immigrant Parents
Date of the event: August 05, 2021
Guests: Marta Droddy and Laura Gardner
Description - In this workshop, we examined the importance of parent voice and leadership in all conversations around returning to school in the Fall, including from immigrant and non-English speaking families. Part of this session included a panel of immigrant parents who will discuss what engagement practices worked during COVID-19 and what we might continue with this […]
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2021 MD Family Engagement Summit: Introduction to Language Focused-Family Engagement
Date of the event: August 05, 2021
Guests: Lisa Rhodes and Lorena Mancilla
Description - This session introduced participants to the concept of language-focused family engagement. This unique approach to family engagement firmly centers on multilingual children and their families by drawing attention to language learning and development that occurs across home, community, and ECE settings. Participants learned about tools and resources from the WIDA Early Years Look What I […]
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2021 MD Family Engagement Summit: Creating Holistic Healing Communities
Date of the event: August 05, 2021
Guests: Angelique Kane and Shantay McKinily
Description - Through virtual, in-person, and hybrid learning environments, educators and families have all been working to create spaces to better support all students. During this session, participants explored how the principles of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), restorative approaches, and trauma-responsive environments can be used to reform and strengthen school community. Through the lens of racial […]
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A Conversation with Students: Reimagining Education
Date of the event: September 16, 2021
Guests: Sadiq Ali, Nikevia Thomas, and Daryl Williams
Description - COVID-19 has shaken up the American educational landscape, with unprecedented school closures and a national experiment with remote learning. In April 2020, the Center for Education Equity (CEE) spoke with young people across the country to learn about the ways the pandemic affected their lives and their education. As many students now return to in-person […]
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2021 MD Family Engagement Summit: Keynote
Date of the event: August 05, 2021
Guests: Mohammed Choudhury, Daren Graves, and Dorothy Stoltz
Description - This keynote presentation engages the audience in exploring the importance of attending to issues of race in order forge authentic partnerships with our most vulnerable, yet resilient, families. We explored the ways race shapes and exacerbates school and community based inequities. We also explored the ways schools can authentically partner with families with the goal […]
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From Voices to Action: Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Families’ Responses to Pandemic and School Reopening
Date of the event: August 12, 2021
Guests: Young-chan Han, Stacy Huh, Alex Kim, Isabelle Lee, Consuela Robinson, Claire Ruhlman, and Min Woo
Description - Over the summer, MAEC’s CAFE (Collaborative Action for Family Engagement) surveyed AAPI families to hear about their experiences and thoughts about the pandemic and school reopening. What challenges did families experience during the pandemic? What are their major concerns when it comes to school reopening? What important topics should be considered as schools reopen? This […]
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Thriving, Not Just Surviving: How Administrators Can Support Trans & Non-Binary Students
Date of the event: July 27, 2021
Guests: Seth Daub, Kimbrelle Barbosa Lewis, Michelle Nutter, Michael Roth, Marianna Stepniak, and Barrett Wilkinson
Description - In MAEC’s June webinar, a panel of trans and non-binary students identified what educators and administrators can do to create and maintain positive, supportive school climates where LGBTQIA+ students can thrive. This webinar will focus on a discussion with school and district administrators on the policies and practices they have implemented to support LGBTQIA+ students […]
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Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Centering the Needs of Transgender and Non-binary Students at School
Date of the event: June 29, 2021
Guests: Marianna Stepniak, Michelle Nutter, Preston Heldibridle, Shiwali Patel, Ash, Clarie, Esmée, La' Tavia, Nic, Noah, Noe'aah, and Reed
Description - As anti-trans laws clash with Pride month, trans and non-binary students need advocates at school now more than ever. Following a brief introduction of gender identity terminology, and an overview of the recent Title IX regulations, this webinar focused on a discussion with our trans and non-binary youth panelists on what educators and administrators can […]
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Good Trouble: Understanding and Supporting Youth Activism for Equity and Justice
Date of the event: May 13, 2021
Guests: Nyla Bell, Michelle Nutter, Mychaell Farmer, Jonothan Gray, Antwain (TwanDoe) Jordan, Fred Pinguel, Josh Sor, Precious Lopez, Jayda Williams, Mehreen Awan, Zachary Betz, Dr.Chuck Herring, and Dr. Sonia Rosen
Description - In this webinar, we engaged in a dialogue on the intersections of civic engagement, activism, youth development, and public schooling. In doing so, this webinar sought to: Deepen educators’ understanding of the meaning of youth activism and its potential for academic and social-emotional impact. Build the capacity of educators and education leaders to respond and […]
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Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month: A Conversation with Author Hena Khan
Date of the event: May 11, 2021
Guests: Young-chan Han, Hena Khan, and Marianna Stepniak
Description - Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with children’s book author Hena Khan, author of Amina’s Voice and It’s Ramadan, Curious George! This conversation, hosted by MAEC’s Collaborative Action for Family Engagement (CAFE), included an interview with Ms. Khan, an interactive activity with the audience, and Q&A with the author.
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From Voices to Action: A Conversation with AAPI Families
Date of the event: April 28, 2021
Guests: Kevin Chhin, Stacy Huh, Dr. Ming Li, Dr. Hyeshin Park, Min Woo, Susan Shaffer, Young-chan Han, Marianna Stepniak, and Dannele Ferreras
Description - MAEC’s second webinar in the AAPI series brought together AAPI families to speak about their experiences navigating racism and bias during COVID-19. Interested in viewing the first AAPI webinar? Click here for more information.
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Engaging Families in Re-Entry Planning
Date of the event: April 21, 2021
Guests: Alexis White, Scott Elchenko,Kristen McKinney-Nash, Sheri Wilson, and Amanda Ensor
Description - In this webinar, we heard from a panel of school and district representatives form Stafford County Public Schools in Virginia and Queen Anne’s County Public Schools in Maryland. The panel discussed how they’ve engaged families in planning for the return to in-person instruction. They shared what’s worked and what hasn’t, lessons learned, and tips for those […]
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Title IX: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Date of the event: February 10, 2021
Guests: Bill Howe, Phyllis Lerner, Shiwali Patel, and Marianna Stepniak
Description - MAEC speaks with Title IX experts on the history and future of Title IX, the new regulations and their impact on responses to sexual harassment, and the nuances of navigating cultural differences under Title IX. This webinar is for PreK-12 Title IX Coordinators, administrators, and educators.
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Equitable Family Engagement, Part 3: Parent Advocacy for Equitable Policy and Practice
Date of the event: October 21, 2020
Guests: Sam Macer, Mariela Puentes, Zully Rodriguez, Bianca Scott, and Sherri Wilson
Description - In our final session in the Equitable Family Engagement Series, we held a panel discussion with parent leaders in which they discussed their advocacy work. Panelists: Bianca Scott, NAFSCE Board Member, NAFSCE PFLC Chair Zully Rodriguez, Community Activist, Parent Facilitator, and PFLC Member Sam Macer, 30-year child welfare and foster parent advocate and PTA champion.
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Equitable Family Engagement, Part 2: Engaging Immigrant Families
Date of the event: October 07, 2020
Guests: Laura Gardner, Angela Matian, Kathy Ratliffe, Sherri Wilson
Description - Katherine Ratliffe and Angela Matian from Hawaii’s Statewide Family Engagement Center, shared their work engaging Micronesian families and their online family engagement learning modules. Then Laura Gardner, Founder of Immigrant Connections, presented effective strategies to engage immigrant families developed during her 20 years in education, refugee resettlement, and social work.
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Equitable Family Engagement, Part 1: Using an Equity Lens to Enact Systemic Change
Date of the event: September 30, 2020
Guests: Daman Harris, Michelle Nutter, Karment Rouland, and Sherri Wilson
Description - In our first session, Michelle Nutter, Senior Equity Consultant, Center for Education Equity @ MAEC, discussed her use of an “equity audit” to conduct a systemic equity and policy review to identify areas for change. Then Daman Harris, Principal at Wheaton Woods ES, shared his story of being unwilling to let this past summer of […]
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Trauma-Informed Family and Community Engagement, Part 3
Date of the event: July 22, 2020
Guests: Luke Braughler, Kristin Carothers, Amanda Ensor, Angela McMasters, Dana Milakovic, Karmen Rouland, Seth Shaffer, Kate Wasserman, and Sherri Wilson
Description - In this webinar, the Collaborative Action for Family Engagement Center, the Statewide Family Engagement Center for Maryland and Pennsylvania, highlighted the work regarding trauma-informed family engagement practices in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Panelists representing community-based organizations, school districts, and state education agencies discussed how their respective systems are working to address trauma and to increase teacher […]
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Trauma-Informed Family and Community Engagement, Part 2
Date of the event: July 01, 2020
Guests: Rebecca Honig, Elisabetta Giomo-James, Dana Livermont, and Sherri Wilson
Description - In our second webinar, we focused on how two organizations are putting the research on trauma-informed care into practice. First, the South Dakota Statewide Family Engagement Center shared information and takeaways from their trauma training module for educators and providers. Then, Ready4K, an evidence-based family engagement curriculum delivered via text messages, shared their tips for […]
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Trauma-Informed Family and Community Engagement: Part I
Date of the event: June 24, 2020
Guests: Angie Barfield, Rodney K. Lowery, Ardie Padilla, Amy Parks, Ashley C. Rojas, and Sherri Wilson,
Description - This webinar highlighted what ACEs are on a personal and community level, the importance of understanding the impacts of ACEs and the science behind adversity. Experts and activists from Fresno, CA’s Trauma and Resilience Network shared how their work focuses on engaging and supporting children and families in building resilience and beginning to heal the […]
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Family Engagement Reframing Institute: Session #3
Date of the event: December 16, 2020
Guests: Marisa Gerstein Pineau, and Sherri Wilson
Description - In this webinar we discussed the recommendation of framing strategies and how to put them together. Through this interactive training institute viewers learned new strategies to gain support for their family engagement programs and policies, and ultimately shift the conversation from family and community engagement being “nice to have” to being a “must have.”
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Family Engagement Reframing Institute: Session #2
Date of the event: December 09, 2020
Guests: Marisa Gerstein Pineau, and Sherri Wilson
Description - In this webinar we discussed the use of space launch to explain how engagement happens and the use of concrete examples and clear explanations to define equity. Through this interactive training institute viewers learned new strategies to gain support for their family engagement programs and policies, and ultimately shift the conversation from family and community […]
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Family Engagement Reframing Institute: Session #1
Date of the event: December 01, 2020
Guests: Karmen Rouland, Barb Scherr, Sherri Wilson, Shaun Adamec, and Marissa Gerstein Pineau
Description - In this webinar we discuss the research that is relevant to family engagement. We also talk about the concept of framing, how it works and what to avoid when using it. Through this interactive training institute viewers will learn new strategies to gain support for their family engagement programs and policies, and ultimately shift the […]
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Using Culturally Responsive Practices to Support Native American Students
Date of the event: September 29, 2020
Guests: Mandy Smoker Broaddus, Bernadette Anderson, and Loverty Erickson
Description - How can educators and administrators affirm and support Native American students in schools? In this interactive webinar, presenters discussed strategies for implementing culturally responsive policies and practices to affirm and support Native American students. This webinar also discussed teaching and climate-building strategies.
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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.
