Developing and Evaluating Quality Leaders in Classrooms and Schools
As consensus builds about the role of teacher quality in eliminating educational inequity, the development of fair, practical teacher evaluation systems that focus on student outcomes has become a critical issue in school reform. National experts and practitioners will explore advances in teacher evaluation and their potential to support high student achievement, develop and retain high-quality teachers, and build leadership pipelines.

Thomas Kane
Professor of Education and Economics Faculty, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Andrew Mandel (Rio Grande Valley ’00)
Vice President of Teacher Support and Development Design, Teach For America
Jesse Solomon
Director, Boston Teacher Residency, Alumni Teacher
Elizabeth Pauley (Metro D.C. '93)
Senior Program Officer, The Boston Foundation

Moderator:
Maureen Rozanski (Phoenix '02)
Teacher Quality Specialist, Massachusetts Department of Education

Extending Time in Schools: Designing Good Policy from Effective Models
Lengthening the time students spend in school has become a common strategy for closing the achievement gap, with the issue gaining political traction. Massachusetts has been at the forefront of this effort. This panel will explore the necessary elements of successful after school and extended time programs and will consider the possibilities and challenges in replicating these models more broadly.

Jennifer Davis
Co-Founder and President, Massachusetts 2020 and President and CEO, National Center on Time and Learning
Stephanie (Kitz) Edmeade (Bay Area ’94)
Director of Extended Learning/AVID teacher, Clarence Edwards Middle School
Maria Hunter (Seattle '94)
8th-grade Social Studies Teacher, South Kingstown Schools, Rhode Island
John Werner
Executive Director, Citizen Schools Boston

Our Nation's Most Pressing Problem: Socioeconomic Disparity and Educational Opportunity
The achievement gap in the U.S. both reflects and perpetuates the inequities that persist along socioeconomic and racial lines. Leading thinkers in education reform will explore how leadership across sectors can intensify our society's commitment to addressing the achievement gap, as well as the degree to which schools alone can eliminate these disparities.

James Forman, Jr.
Founder and Chair, See Forever and Maya Angelou Charter School; and Professor of Law, Georgetown University
Richard Rothstein
Author of Class and Schools; Research Associate, Economic Policy Institute; and Adjunct Lecturer, Harvard Graduate School of Education

Moderator:
Wendy Kopp
Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Teach For America

The Economics of Social Disparity
Numerous forces conspire to perpetuate social and economic disparities that have an immediate impact on students in low-income communities.  Renowned experts and local community development specialists discuss the implications of gentrification, community development, and economic inequality for the movement to close the educational achievement gap in the United States.

Chrystal Kornegay
Deputy Director, Urban Edge CDC
Glenn Loury
Professor of Social Sciences, Economics, Brown University
Harry Spence
Former Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Social Services

Moderator:
Arturo Cortez (Bay Area '02)
Ed.M. Candidate, Education Policy and Management, Harvard University

The Future of School Integration: A Conversation with Charles Glenn
With an increased focus on student achievement, the educational landscape today is marked by highly successful schools that are increasingly segregated along racial lines. In light of the recent Supreme Court decision to curtail the use of race in school integration plans, it is unclear what will become of the efforts to ensure that our schools remain racially integrated. Charles Glenn will share his insights as a veteran policymaker and preeminent researcher on the future of such efforts, reflecting on his over 20 years of work at the Massachusetts Department of Education.

Charles Glenn
Dean ad interim, Professor and Chairman Administration, Training, and Policy, Boston University School of Education

Moderator:
Leo Flanagan (New York City '90)
Principal, Lyons Elementary School, Randolph, MA

A Measured Look at School Choice: A Conversation with Paul Reville and Marc Kenen
School choice is a complex issue that has been particularly divisive in Massachusetts. Two leading voices on the issue of school choice in Massachusetts examine its broader implications, its potential effects on student achievement, and the role of political leadership in ensuring school choice policies are designed to advance educational equity.

Marc Kenen
Executive Director, Massachusetts Charter Public School Association
Paul Reville
Chairman, Massachusetts State Board of Education and President, Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy

Moderator:
Danielle Carrigo (Los Angeles ’90)
Senior Director, Office of Language Learning and Support Services

Creating a High-Achieving Culture through Strong Leadership
Establishing a school culture of high achievement for all students requires effective leadership at all levels. This panel will explore the specific components of a high-achieving organizational culture and how all educational leaders – from teachers to superintendents – can cultivate it.

Irwin Blumer
Research Professor, Educational Administration and Higher Education, Boston College
Andrew Moffit (Houston ’91)
Senior Consultant, Education Practice and Social Sector Office, McKinsey
Joe Sawyer (Houston '91)
Principal, Oak Middle School, Shrewsbury, MA, Representative from Boston Public Schools

Moderator:
Mike Goldstein
Founder and Director of Research and Dissemination, The MATCH School, Boston, MA

Ensuring the Mental, Physical, and Social Well-Being of Our Children
In an era of increased focus on academic achievement in reading, language arts, and math, many educators and children’s advocates are concerned that are we losing sight of other aspects of education essential to nurturing healthy, well-rounded students.  Veteran educators and public health experts explore both challenges and innovative solutions for schools and communities that prioritize health, social services, and an education beyond the state standards.

Marlon Davis (Newark '94)
Executive Director, Banneker Charter School, Cambridge, MA
Michelle Urbano
Director of Adolescent Health, Boston Public Health Commission
Rebecca Onie
Executive Director, Project HEALTH
Sarah Teasdale (Los Angeles '94)
Medical Student, UMass-Worcester

Moderator:
Sarah Hosmer (Baltimore ’93)
Guidance Counselor, O'Bryant School of Math & Science, Boston, MA

Investing in Education: The Politics and Policy of School Funding
Recent budget woes in Massachusetts have put a squeeze on education funding, and measures such as Proposition 2 1/2 limit the ability of cities and towns to lessen the blow. This panel will explore funding issues facing both traditional public and charter schools in Massachusetts, how school funding decisions are made at the state and local levels, and what can we do to advocate for our schools.

Stephanie (Levine) Grimaldi (New York City ’90)
Department Head of Literacy, Lexington Public Schools
Caroline Sabin (Los Angeles '90)
President, Citizens for Needham Schools, Needham, MA
Joshua Zoia (New York City '96)
Founder and Principal, KIPP: Lynn Academy
Sonia Chang-Díaz
Director, Outreach and Development, Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center

Moderator:
Jonathan Travers (Los Angeles '93)
Associate Director, Education Resource Strategies

Making a Difference through Political Action
Political leadership has incredible potential to make strides against educational inequity. Veteran activists will share their perspectives on the numerous ways citizens can engage in politics and how we can use politics as an influential lever in closing the achievement gap.

Alan Khazei
Founder, City Year
Avi Green
Executive Director, MassVOTE
R.J. McGrail (Baltimore '98)
Director of Special Projects, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts – Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

Moderator:
Jen Bluestein
Vice President of Political Leadership Initiative, Teach For America

Sustaining Commitment and Energy in High-Intensity Work
While the demands of working toward educational equity are many, effecting systemic change requires persistence over the long term. Alumni and nonprofit professionals discuss the personal challenges of working in and on behalf of schools and nonprofit organizations and ways to create alignment of personal and professional goals as we engage in this important work.

Tomás Hanna
Deputy Superintendent, Operations, Providence Public School District
Bridget Rodriguez (Los Angeles '91)
Education Consultant and former Principal, The Morse School, Cambridge, MA
Kate Scott (Los Angeles '92)
Assistant Headmaster for Academic Affairs, Neighborhood House

Moderator:
Dena Blank
Vice President of Alumni Affairs, Teach For America

Where Business and Idealism Intersect: The Power of Social Entrepreneurship
The spirit of social entrepreneurship seeks to not only improve the lives of those it directly touches, but also to alter paradigms of what is possible and to catalyze systemic change. Veteran social entrepreneurs will explore the distinction between social entrepreneurship and traditional nonprofits, highlighting how new ventures can realize this potential.

Carly Janson
Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, New Sector Alliance and Director, Social Impact, Boston Consulting Group
Vanessa Kirsch
Founder and President, New Profit, Inc.
Jodi Rosenbaum Tillinger (Houston ’97)
Director and Founder, More Than Words
Eric Schwarz
President and CEO, Citizen Schools

Moderator:
Stacey Childress
Lecturer of Business Administration and Senior Researcher, Harvard Business School

The following workshops will be offered.

A Greater New Orleans: An Update on the City's Revitalization Efforts
Mary Garton (Greater New Orleans '91), Director, Alumni Support, Teach For America Greater New Orleans
The response to Hurricane Katrina has left in its wake both immeasurable tragedy and an exciting opportunity for rebirth. Alumna and former GNO executive director Mary Garton shares an on-the-ground account of the efforts to rebuild New Orleans, highlighting the role of Teach For America and the broader educational community in this important work. Learn more about what is being done and how you can get involved.

Advocating in Your Workplace: Engaging your Organization in Closing the Achievement Gap
Claudia Alfaro and Kristin Hansen, Citizen Schools
This workshop will empower alumni, particularly those in the private sector, to marshal the resources of employers and colleagues to work towards educational equity through participation in community programs, philanthropy, and awareness-building. Claudia Alfaro and Kristin Hansen of Citizen Schools will share the tools, strategies, and anecdotes of those who have amplified their own impact by engaging others in this important work.

An Insider's Guide to Finding the Perfect Nonprofit Career
Representative, Commongood Careers
Are you considering a career in the nonprofit sector? New opportunities and exciting roles are becoming available every day in this fast-growing and quickly changing sector. In this workshop, you will learn how to identify the nonprofit organizations and positions that best match your passions and talents and how to obtain the job of your dreams. You'll have a chance to consider what longer-term career paths could look like, to meet and talk with like-minded alumni, and to learn from each other.

Assuming Leadership on a Nonprofit or Charter School Board
Sanjiv Rao (Bay Area '94), George Anderson (Los Angeles '91), and Stephanie Page (South Louisiana '92)
Most nonprofits and charter schools rely heavily on the strength of their boards to marshal resources, provide needed expertise, form strategy, and build networks that help sustain the organization. Learn from alumni and others with board experience about ways your expertise and insights can have a direct impact on the organizations you care about.

Becoming Board Certified
Brent Maddin (South Louisiana '99)
Have you considered obtaining your National Board Certification? What are the benefits? What investment is required? Alumnus and board-certified teacher Brent Maddin will give an insider's view of the Board Certification process, including details about how to prepare and available resources.

Big Ideas, Big Impact: Exploring Social Entrepreneurship
David Harris, President and CEO, The Mind Trust; and fellow alumni
Have an idea for a new social venture? Interested in joining forces with other alumni entrepreneurs? Or just wondering what it would take to get an idea off the ground? This interactive discussion will a) provide information and resources for budding entrepreneurs; b) engage alumni in generating ideas, sharing insights and making connections; and c) explore ways Teach For America can support social ventures. The session will feature David Harris, president and CEO of The Mind Trust, a highly respected nonprofit that seeks to support and empower education entrepreneurs.

A Career at Teach For America: Opportunities for Alumni
Maryanne Kiley (Los Angeles '02) and Chris Kaleel (Phoenix '03), Talent Recruitment and Selection, Teach For America
One of the critical levers to our growth is finding the talent for senior level positions at Teach For America. Roles are available on every team at Teach For America, and we encourage alumni with experience beyond their two years in the corps to consider opportunities on our staff. Come learn more about senior level opportunities at Teach For America.

Social Impact Consulting
Carly Janson, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, New Sector Alliance, and Director, Social Impact, Boston Consulting Group
Dynamic social entrepreneur, experienced consultant and business school lecturer Carly Janson will lead a workshop discussion outlining ways to make an impact as a nonprofit and corporate social responsibility consultant. Janson will share her lessons learned from the field and highlight key opportunities for alumni to make contributions.

Effecting Change Through Media: Two Million Minutes
Chad Heeter (Georgia '94) and Adam Raney (New York City '96), Directors, and Robert Compton, Executive Producer
After watching an extended excerpt from the new documentary Two Million Minutes: A Global Examination, engage with Directors Chad Heeter and Adam Raney and Executive Producer Robert Compton, distinguished entrepreneur and venture capitalist, on the film's provocative exploration of international education disparities and their strategies to use the film to influence broader conversations. To read more and view a film trailer, visit www.2mminutes.com.

Expanding their Horizons: Taking Your Students Abroad
Marlon Davis (Newark '94)
As the international community becomes smaller and smaller, students in low-income communities must receive a truly global education in order to compete in the world economy. Marlon Davis will share practical resources and opportunities for bringing students abroad through an inside look at how he took Cambridge students to China at no cost. Davis will also share ways that educators can make every day in the classroom more "global" in perspective.

Explore the New Career and Leadership Center's Resources
Saloni Doshi, Managing Director, Career and Leadership Center, Teach For America
Stop by the Career and Leadership Center room throughout the afternoon to learn how we can support you in your career planning, job search, and in securing the perfect opportunity. You can also receive one-on-one time with a CLC representative for input on your resume, cover letter, or application essays or to participate in a mock interview.

Forging a Career in Policy or Public Affairs
Sanjiv Rao (Bay Area '94), Director, Policy and Advocacy Initiative, Teach For America, joined by Heather Harding (Eastern North Carolina '92), Principal Associate, Annenberg Institute for School Reform; Allison Ohle (New York City '98), Kennedy School of Government student; and Elizabeth Pauley (Metro D.C. '93), Senior Program Officer, The Boston Foundation This discussion and networking opportunity will highlight the career trajectories of alumni in diverse policy roles and/or public affairs. These stories will be accompanied by an interactive conversation that clarifies many of the concrete skills, experiences, and training necessary to enter the policy field and advance toward positions of leadership. Participants will receive tools for reflection and career planning, as well as a directory of resources.

Increasing College Access for Low-Income Students: How We Can All Contribute
Jennifer de Leon (Bay Area '02), Graduate Services Coordinator, Roxbury Prep Charter School, Boston, MA
With such a staggering achievement gap in higher education, how can educators and community members increase college access for low-income students? Join this interactive session with alumna Jennifer de Leon to learn about the concrete steps we can all take to provide students with the information, insights, and access they need to make college a viable option.

Increasing Your Civic Engagement and Political Advocacy
Luisa Peña, Statewide Director, MassVOTE
This workshop will equip alumni with essential tools for civic engagement and political advocacy to influence the policies affecting our communities. Focus will be given both to making your voice heard to local, state, and federal representatives and to empowering others to become active political participants. Participants will also receive information about Leadership for Educational Equity, Teach For America's new sister organization for advancing the political activity and advocacy of alumni.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders: Motivating High School Students to Take Action
Duyen Tran, Director, Strategy, Alumni Engagement, Teach For America
Engaging youth to address the achievement gap is essential to mobilizing the sustained commitment needed to solve this pressing problem. This session will allow you to join with fellow alumni and Teach For America in reaching out to high school students to build a foundation for social change. The workshop will: (1) discuss tips and best practices on engaging our youth into action; (2) review available Teach For America materials and resources; and (3) prepare you to volunteer through The Next Generation: High School Engagement Initiative.

Pathways to Elected Office
Avi Green, Executive Director, MassVOTE
Ever considered running for office? Or just wondered what it might take? This practical workshop will cover necessary components to preparing for a successful campaign, including fundraising, policy analysis, campaigning, and fostering public support. Participants will receive tools and resources, as well as information about Leadership for Educational Equity, Teach For America's new sister organization for advancing the political activity and advocacy of alumni.

Pathways to School Leadership
Deirdre Duckett (Baltimore '93), Education Policy and Management Program Coordinator, Harvard University
Are you considering becoming a teacher leader, school-based administrator, or principal? Learn from a local expert about the various pathways to assuming leadership in schools and districts. This interactive workshop will cover the various types of leadership programs, licensure, funding opportunities, and what you should do now to become a strong candidate as you advance along the pipeline.

Ready to Become a Principal? School Leadership Assessment and Preparation
Heather Anichini (Chicago '02), Managing Director, School Leadership Initiative, Teach For America
This skill-building session, perfect for those actively pursuing opportunities in school leadership, will provide participants with a framework for assessing individual school leadership readiness. Participants should bring a current resume and be prepared to engage in mock interview scenarios for charter and district public school positions. The session will be highly interactive, so come ready to engage.

Support Corps Members and Alumni: Resume Coach Training
Kate Williams (Newark '02), Director, Employer Relations, Teach For America
This session will provide on-site training for Teach For America's Resume Coach Program - a fun, flexible volunteer opportunity to work directly with corps members and fellow alumni to create powerful resumes that effectively communicate their Teach For America experience. This is a great way to support the organization and pick up some valuable tips for your own resume. No previous experience necessary.

Supporting English Language Learners in Our Schools and Communities
Colleen Billings (Houston '92), Title III Coordinator, Salem Public Schools, and Danielle Carrigo (Los Angeles '90), Senior Director, Office of Language Learning and Support Services, Boston Public Schools
This hands-on workshop will outline the critical ways that teachers, school-based staff, and community members can effectively support the particular needs of English Language Learners. Join two veteran advocates and experts for an examination of the most pressing issues facing our ELL students and learn what you can do to help.

Teaching as Leadership: Accessing Teach For America's Tools for Teacher Development
Andrew Mandel (Rio Grande Valley '00), Vice President, Teacher Support and Development Design, Teach For America
Over the past few years, Teach For America has developed an exciting, effective model for guiding corps members' effective teaching through harnessing their leadership ability. This "Teaching as Leadership" framework zeroes in on six key strategies used by highly effective teachers to maximize student achievement. Alumnus and Teach For America staff member Andrew Mandel explains our approach, highlighting key tools and resources available and describing how to use them in improving practice in your school or classroom.

The Evolution and Progress of Teach For America
Monique Ayotte-Hoeltzel (Mississippi Delta '98), Vice President, Admissions, Teach For America, and Joshua Biber (Phoenix '04), Director, New Site Development for Boston
Since 1990, Teach For America's has grown from a charter corps of 500 teachers to a national movement of over 17,000 corps members and alumni working to effect change in the classroom and beyond. Alumna and veteran staff member Monique Ayotte-Hoeltzel will discuss Teach For America's growth, including specific updates on our ongoing commitment to teacher quality, diversity, and fostering the leadership of alumni as a force for social change. Josh Biber will also discuss the progress of efforts to bring the corps to the Greater Boston area.