EDTalksMN

This EDTalk is titled “How Debaters Will Save Democracy and Change the World.” Participation in academic debate improves student test scores, grades and graduation rates – and also fosters critical skills that strengthen civic action and agency. In this EDTalk, Amy Cram Helwich explores how academic debate - historically dominated by white, male and wealthy individuals - has now expanded to a much wider range of participants and can help strengthen critical thinking, listening, empathy, problem-solving and advocacy skills. Amy also describes how students from the Minnesota Urban Debate League's Spanish, East African and Financial Literacy debate teams utilize debate skills to create change in their communities.

EDTalks is co-sponsored by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation and Comcast. Videography by Jeff Achen. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN.

This EDTalk is titled “Igniting Civic Engagement Through Service- Learning.”

An informed citizenry is the foundation of a democratic society. Through service-learning experiences, students become informed citizens by researching community needs, identifying projects, connecting with experts on sustainable strategies and applying their academic skills to real-world needs. Service-learning answers the question, "Why do I need to know this?" with students as the drivers of exploration and action.

In this EDTalk, Amy Meuers introduces this powerful teaching and learning approach that not only meets the academic, social and emotional needs of students but also addresses the needs of our communities and the world. Amy is chief executive officer of the National Youth Leadership Council, an international nonprofit committed to ensuring that all young people become civically informed and engaged global citizens. An ardent advocate for youth voice, Amy is a social entrepreneur with over 16 years of experience in service-learning, youth development and education. This EDTalk was recorded in front of a live audience at Icehouse in Minneapolis on February 24, 2020.

EDTalks is co-sponsored by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation and Comcast. Videography by Jeff Achen. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN.

This EDTalk is titled “How to Raise Tech-Healthy Kids.” Tablets, smartphones, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube and more... technology is a central part of young people’s lives today. Keeping up can be challenging, but a positive and well-informed approach can have a big impact on a child’s future and in creating new habits that lead to digitally healthy individuals. In this EDTalk, Dave Eisenmann will teach simple tips to help both kids and adults balance the use of technology in our lives.

This EDTalk was recorded in front of a live audience at Icehouse in Minneapolis on January 13, 2020.

EDTalks is supported by generous grants from the Bush Foundation and Comcast.

This EDTalk is titled “It’s complicated: Students, Social Media and Mental Health.”

Students spend an average of 53 hours each week on social media and other technology – more than any other activity but sleeping. While many assume technology is inherently bad for student mental health, evidence suggests that it can either boost or undermine what young people need to thrive. As more and more schoolwork goes online, both the opportunities and challenges are magnified, and parents and educators need to learn how to respond.

In this EDTalk, Erin Walsh will describe the key ingredients for digital wellness and share strategies to help students thrive in a world of screens. This EDTalk was recorded in front of a live audience at Icehouse in Minneapolis on January, 13, 2020.

EDTalks is supported by generous grants from the Bush Foundation and Comcast.

Artistic expression can be a powerful catalyst for social change and a source of personal power for young people and their families. Since 2008, Washburn Blackbox Theatre has provided a safe space for students from a wide range of backgrounds to make visible the all-too-often invisible voices and stories of urban youth. Student actors engage in a rigorous and unique training program to create, perform and tour original theater that helps break down social barriers and build bridges among themselves and their communities. In this EDTalk, students will speak their truths about public education and how creating original theater can make change both in and out of the classroom.

Presenters:

Crystal Spring, Washburn High School Theatre Teacher

Washburn High School Blackbox Theatre students

EDTalks is co-sponsored by AchieveMpls and The Citizen's League. Thanks to Bush Foundation and Comcast for their generous financial support.

Student voice is an essential element for school health, vitality and success. The Voices Framework project team interviews students about key issues such as diversity, race, safety and school culture, and creates videos reflecting these voices and stories. The videos are then presented to school leaders, followed by facilitated conversations that unpack adult narratives and guide participants in examining their pedagogy, beliefs and practices. The Voices Framework is designed to help school leaders get to know their students in a new and authentic way and ensure that they feel valued and respected, which bolsters achievement. Staff from Brooklyn Center Community Schools will share how this process can unlock new ways to improve student achievement and strengthen school culture.

Presenters:

Josh Fraser, Principal at Brooklyn Center Middle and High School STEAM

Ambar Hanson, Community Relationship Officer for the Mortenson Family Foundation Expanding Opportunities for Children and Families program area

EDTalks is co-sponsored by AchieveMpls and The Citizen's League. Thanks to Bush Foundation and Comcast for their generous financial support.

Salma Hussein, M.S.W., L.I.S.W., is a school social worker at South High School who works with students and families from a wide variety of countries. Drawing on her own experiences as an immigrant and her work with her students and their families, she will share how creating strong home-school partnerships, celebrating diversity and building authentic relationships is absolutely vital for student success.

The Power of Strong Relationships for Student Success by Salma Hussein was part of the May 2019 #EDTalksMN event on Immigrant Voices.

This EDTalk was recorded in front of a live audience at Icehouse in Minneapolis on May 6, 2019, by Jeff Achen (https://www.callsign51.com/).

EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls and the Citizens League in partnership with Indigo Education and Pollen.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, the Bush Foundation and the Verne C. Johnson Family Foundation.

Learn more about EDTalks at https://www.achievempls.org/edtalks.

Tea Rozman Clark is co-founder and executive director of Green Card Voices, a nonprofit that utilizes storytelling to share personal narratives of immigrant youth and adults to foster tolerance and establish better understanding between immigrant and non-immigrant communities. Born in Yugoslavia, Tea has interviewed more than 400 immigrants from over 120 countries and is editor of the organization’s six volumes of compelling stories. She will share the power of Green Card Voices storytelling for both the teller and the audience, as well as stories of Minneapolis students from the organization’s collection.

Storytelling as a Tool to Empower and Build Empathy by Tea Rozman Clark was part of the May 2019 #EDTalksMN event on Immigrant Voices.

This EDTalk was recorded in front of a live audience at Icehouse in Minneapolis on May 6, 2019, by Jeff Achen (https://www.callsign51.com/).

EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls and the Citizens League in partnership with Indigo Education and Pollen.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, the Bush Foundation and the Verne C. Johnson Family Foundation.

Learn more about EDTalks at https://www.achievempls.org/edtalks.

This EDTalks focuses on “Creating Gender Inclusive Schools” Our featured speaker is Jason Bucklin. Jason is the LGBTQA+ Program Coordinator for Minneapolis Public Schools and has served the district’s students, families and staff for seven years. With over 15 years of experience in LGBTQA+ youth advocacy, Jason has overseen the development and implementation of gender inclusive polices both at MPS and across Minnesota. Outside of his work in education, Jason is a photographer supporting queer-identified performers in the Twin Cities. This EDTalk was recorded in front of a live audience at Icehouse in Minneapolis on March 11, 2019.

EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League in partnership with Indego Education and Pollen.

EDTalks is a lively series of community conversations about public education and related issues that impact our young people.

Each EDTalks features two compelling, short presentations by cutting-edge educators, youth advocates, students, artists or community leaders.

EDTalks is supported by generous grants from the Bush Foundation and the Verne C. Johnson Family Foundation.

This EDTalks focuses on “Creating Inclusive Classrooms: What Success Looks Like” Our featured speaker is Jennifer Sommerness. Jennifer is the Executive Director of Inclusive Schools at Kids Included Together (KIT) and an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas. A nationally recognized leader in disability inclusion, she brings over 25 years of experience and a deep passion for inclusive education to all she does. Jennifer works closely with families, teachers, administrators and community members to create inclusive schools and communities that support students through innovative, diverse learning strategies. This EDTalk was recorded in front of a live audience at Icehouse in Minneapolis on March 11, 2019.

EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League in partnership with Indego Education and Pollen.

EDTalks is a lively series of community conversations about public education and related issues that impact our young people.

Each EDTalks features two compelling, short presentations by cutting-edge educators, youth advocates, students, artists or community leaders.

EDTalks is supported by generous grants from the Bush Foundation and the Verne C. Johnson Family Foundation.