The Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Summit will be more than a learning conference—it will be a space to create, collaborate, discuss and assess practices that transform classrooms and leadership across Illinois. Spend the day engaging in interactive sessions, networking with peers and discovering ready-to-use strategies that will support your work as an educator and/or leader.
I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center (1900 S. First St., Champaign)
The event is limited to 100 people, so don't wait—REGISTER TODAY!
Agenda
9-10 a.m. - Registration and Breakfast
10-10:20 a.m. - Opening Remarks and Framing
10:20-10:25 a.m. - Transition
10:25-11:05 a.m. - Breakout A (pairs 1, 2 and 3; 40 minutes)
11:05-11:10 a.m. - Transition
11:10-11:50 a.m. - Breakout B (40 minutes)
11:50-11:55 a.m. - Transition
11:55 a.m. - 12:35 p.m. - Breakout C (40 minutes)
12:35-1:15 p.m. - Lunch and Networking (40 minutes)
1:15-1:20 p.m. - Transition
1:20-2 p.m. - Breakout D: Connecting Across Buildings and Districts (40 minutes)
2-2:05 p.m. - Transition
2:05-2:50 p.m. - Whole-group Sharing (45 minutes)
2:50-3:30 p.m. - Closing Remarks and Next Steps
Breakout A – Inclusive Histories & Leadership Practices
This session will explore how to leverage inclusive histories in the classroom and examine what culturally responsive leadership practices look like in action. Participants will reflect on ways to embed diverse narratives into instruction and leadership approaches.
Breakout B – Using the un/HUSH Framework
In this session, participants will unpack the un/HUSH Framework and learn how to use it as a tool to assess and guide curricula, text choices, and classroom practices. Attendees are encouraged to bring a current lesson or activity to analyze and adapt.
Breakout C – Leveraging the Arts for Culturally Responsive Practice
This session will highlight how arts integration can support culturally responsive teaching and learning. Participants are encouraged to bring an existing plan or lesson to reimagine through artistic and creative entry points.
Breakout D – Case Studies & Cross-District Connections
In this collaborative session, participants will examine case studies, share challenges and successes, and connect across districts and buildings. Groups will work toward drafting concrete action plans for implementation in their own contexts. We invite you to engage fully in all sessions, use lunch to connect with peers, and share key takeaways during the whole-group session. Please carry forward at least one action commitment into your practice