In keeping with its longstanding commitment to community, equality, and peace, Pacific Oaks is hosting a free virtual conference, Anti-Bias Education Symposium: Fighting Against Racism, on July 23, 2020. The event is designed for professionals in early childhood education and the K-12 system, parents, nonprofit leaders, and members of the public interested in working to end systemic racism.
“An incredible power comes when an organization is engaged,” says Dr. Jack Paduntin, president of Pacific Oaks College & Children’s School. “While the symposium will be an important resource to all those who attend, we hope it will also be a celebration of Pacific Oaks’ rich history in the area of anti-bias education.”
Pacific Oaks was founded and operates on the values of respect, social justice, diversity, and inclusion, and the foundation for much of its curriculum dates back more than 30 years.
In 1989, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) published Anti-Bias Curriculum: Tools for Empowering Young Children, by Louise Derman-Sparks (Faculty Emeritus) and the Anti-Bias Curriculum Task Force (Pacific Oaks Children’s School teachers and Pacific Oaks College alumni). The first of its kind, Professor Sparks’ work changed the landscape of early childhood education—introducing curriculum that empowers children and promotes critical thinking about bias.
“This event harkens back to Pacific Oaks’ roots,” Dr. Paduntin says. “We know we have valuable resources to share, and we want to pass it on so we can create tangible change as a community.”
Dr. Paduntin also sees this symposium as an evolution of Pacific Oaks’ role and part in the ongoing fight for social justice.
“We are more than allies. We’re accomplices,” Dr. Paduntin says. “An ally supports the work being done, but an accomplice is on the ground doing the work alongside organizers, activists, and leaders. As a leader in the field of education, it is our duty and honor to provide anti-bias resources so that we may all work toward ending systemic racism.”
The event will feature leaders from Pacific Oaks, including Donald E. Grant Jr., Psy.D., executive director, Center for Community & Social Impact; Jerell B. Hill, Ed.D., interim dean, School of Education; and Judy Krause, Ed.D., director of the Early Childhood Education program. While the day will begin with a general session, participants will go to breakout seminars based on their interests: preschool, K-12, or parents.
“My portion will focus on the structural lens that girds sustainable change,” Dr. Grant says. “So much of how we are conditioned is learned in childhood. By having these specific breakout sessions follow a holistic lens grounded in the historical context, we will be able to provide people the tools to take a systemic approach to addressing institutional racism.”
Registration is still open. If you are interested in attending, visit the Eventbrite page to sign up. Virtual log-in information will be sent a few days prior to the symposium.
We hope to see you there!
More about the symposium’s speakers:
Donald E. Grant Jr., Psy.D., Executive Director, Center for Community & Social Impact
Dr. Donald Grant serves as executive director of the Center for Community and Social Impact at Pacific Oaks College and has a long history of direct mental health service delivery and administrative oversight for foster care systems, child welfare programs, education systems, and homeless mental wellness services. Dr. Grant works diligently to increase awareness on mental wellness issues, parenting, child development, and socio-cultural events that impact citizens of our country and our world. His latest publication, Black Men, Intergenerational Colonialism and Behavioral Health: A Noose Across Nations is available now.
Jerell B. Hill, Ed.D., Interim Dean, School of Education
Dr. Jerell Hill is the interim dean for the School of Education (SOE) at Pacific Oaks College. He previously served as the administrative faculty and assessment coordinator for the SOE and as faculty adviser for Multiple Subject Credential candidates. His responsibilities include program development, supporting adjunct faculty, accreditation, and student teaching. Dr. Hill’s areas of research interest include adverse childhood experiences, student motivation, educational administration, special education, and urban schools. Dr. Hill’s professional memberships include the American Educational Research Association, California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (co-chair of the Diversity and Cultural Competence Committee), and the Council for Exceptional Children. Dr. Hill has been a keynote speaker and presenter at the International Congress of Educators in Lima, Peru.
Judy Krause, Ed.D., Director of Early Childhood Education, School of Education
Dr. Judy Krause serves as director of Early Childhood Education (ECE) in the School of Education at Pacific Oaks College & Children’s School. Judy chairs the bachelor’s and master’s ECE programs at the college and has been working with young children and their families since 1978. She began her work with college students in 1989. Dr. Krause’s research focuses on developmentally and culturally appropriate pedagogy and she enjoys presenting hands-on, interactive workshops at the national, state, and local level. In her spare time, she takes joy in traveling along the coast with her husband, as well as spending time with her grandchildren.
Learn more about Pacific Oaks
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