Multicultural Education Conference at SUNY New Paltz celebrates 25 years on Nov. 8

The School of Education at SUNY New Paltz invites education professionals, parents, students and community members to the 2019 Multicultural Education Conference, which will be held Friday, Nov. 8, from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., at the Student Union Building on the New Paltz campus.

The 25th annual conference will be organized around the theme of “Stories and Struggles: Realizing the Power of Movement,” with panels and workshops exploring approaches for creating safe, inclusive educational spaces to serve learners from a variety of backgrounds.

Registration deadline is Oct. 25. Tickets are $50 / $10 for students. To learn more and register, contact Tim Dilger at conferencing@newpaltz.edu or call (845) 257-3032.

This year’s program draws on the power of people joining together, telling and listening to one another’s stories and struggles, and creating true equity in our schools. We are committed to reclaiming the potential and power of both multicultural and public education.

Michelle Fine

Michelle Fine, from the Graduate Center, CUNY, will deliver the keynote address, titled “Teacher Wisdom for Building Inclusive and Engaging Classrooms in Contentious Times.” She will explore possibilities and educational justice strategies developed by educators in rural, suburban, and urban communities, including detracking, performance assessment, culturally responsive pedagogy, restorative justice, youth participatory action research, and LGBTQ-affirming curriculum.

The conference will offer 15 unique workshops on a variety of topics relating to the conference theme, including “Identifying and Overcoming Challenges to Achieving Racial Equity in Our Schools,” “High School Diversity Clubs: How to Inspire Others through Advocacy and Action,” and “Islam Mythbusters.”

All workshops will be guided by multicultural education experts from schools, colleges and universities, and advocacy organizations throughout the Hudson Valley.

The Hudson Valley-based TMI Project will present a video presentation and live true storytelling performance with participants from Black Stories Matter and Locker Room Talk, adding a storytelling element designed to inspire, sadden, anger and enlighten.

The Multicultural Education Conference provides an excellent professional development opportunity for teachers, administrators and counselors. Attendees will be eligible to receive Continuing Teacher and Leader Education credit hours.

Registration is now open for the 25th annual Multicultural Education Conference at SUNY New Paltz. The cost for general registration is $50, and the cost for students is $10. The deadline to register is Oct. 25, and the conference typically fills well before the deadline.

For registration information, contact Tim Dilger at conferencing@newpaltz.edu or (845) 257-3032.

For program information contact Dr. Shannon McManimon at mcmanims@newpaltz.edu or (845) 257-2828.

About the Keynote Speaker
Michelle Fine is the Distinguished Professor of Critical Psychology and Urban Education at the Graduate Center, CUNY, and author of more than 15 books. Her most recent is “Just Research: Expanding the Methodological Imagination in Contentious Times.”

A founding member of the Public Science Project, Fine is happiest when she is working with young people on projects of critical participatory inquiry and social movements.

About the School of Education
The nationally-accredited School of Education at SUNY New Paltz carries on a rich tradition of teacher preparation that dates back to the early 19th century New Paltz Normal School. Today, the School offers a suite of modern programs in teaching & learning and in educational studies & leadership, and serves as a resource and professional development hub for teachers throughout the Hudson Valley, NYC Metro area and upstate New York.