Multicultural education conference to focus on challenges and opportunities facing education during hard economic times

NEW PALTZ – The State University of New York at New Paltz will host the 15th Annual Multicultural Education Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, in the Student Union Building’s Multi-Purpose Room. “Teaching and Learning in Hard Times: Challenges and Opportunities” is the theme of this year’s conference, which is co-sponsored by a number of local educational organizations.

Since 1994, the conference has brought together educators, students, parents and community members to gather fresh insights and to make connections with others who are working to create equitable schools that will enable all young people to achieve.

This year’s conference addresses the ways in which the economic crisis is affecting students and their families, educators, and teaching and learning in schools, as well as on ways it provides a tension point from which to act for change.

Nancy Schniedewind, conference coordinator and professor in the master’s program in Humanistic/Multicultural Education at New Paltz, said, “Given the difficult economic realities many families are facing now, I hope that conference participants will welcome this occasion to gain information, understanding and support for turning the challenge of educating in hard times into an opportunity for creating more effective and equitable education for all.”

The keynote speaker will be Tabitha Sober, a former high school history, government and economics teacher and co-author of “Teaching Economics as if People Mattered.” She is the assistant director of the Office of Teaching and Learning at the Virginia Education Association, where she directs its Leadership Development Program. Her presentation, “How Economic Class Impacts Teaching and Learning,” takes place at 8:30 a.m.

Participants may choose from 13 panels, talks and workshops. Examples of workshop topics include: “Stocks and Savings: Who Owns What and Why It Matters”; “Learning from Immigrants’ Stories”; “Teaching Respect is Free: Addressing Bullying and Anti-LGBT Language in Schools”; “Controversial Books for Children on Black and Latino/a Experiences”; and “Learning and Empowerment through Mural Painting.”

A lunchtime cultural arts program will focus on how the economic crisis affects immigrant communities. “Fallen Sky” will feature a performance of poetry, dance, theater and song by YaliniDream, a performance artist and educator. In addition, the conference includes an extensive exhibit and sale of multicultural books for adults and children.

General registration is $40 and $12 for students.

The registration deadline for the conference is Oct. 30, and the workshops will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information on specific workshops, call Nancy Schniedewind at (845) 257-2827 and to register, call the Office of Conference Services at (845) 257-3033 or e-mail waldoklc@newpaltz.edu.