EDTalksMN EDTalksMN

In 2007, Dr. Jon Peterson began the long and long-awaited journey back to his homeland of Samoa to reconnect with his roots, his homeland, his family and himself. Through this process, he discovered what it means to both love and live leadership, both as an educator and as a human, and developed a theoretical model for Indigenous Leadership that can be applied to work in education and beyond. In his EDTalk, Dr. Peterson will discuss his life’s work, “The Alofa Movement” (the Love Movement) and address the critical importance of honoring our ancestry and our roots as educators and leaders in these challenging times.

Presenters: Kyra, Jamya and Octivious, Young Leaders, St. Paul Youth Services’ YouthPowerMN Leadership Institute

As a young person, if you were handed the mic, what would you say to the adults in your life? In their EDTalks, young leaders Kyra, Jamya and Octivious of the St. Paul Youth Services’ YouthPowerMN Leadership Institute will join us to describe their lived experiences with adults in educational institutions and how those experiences have impacted their wellbeing, safety, and ability to achieve their goals as Black youth. They will also address the barriers to youth providing input in designing education systems and offer tools and insights for adults who are committed to including young people in the creation of youth-centric, equitable education.

EDTalks is presented by Achieve Twin Cities in partnership with the Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation. Learn more at www.achievetwincities.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​.

This virtual EDTalk was live streamed online on April 26, 2022. It was emceed by Amanda Koonjbeharry.

Presenter: Walter Cortina, President and Co-founder, Bridgemakers

By the time Bridgemakers co-founder and president Walter Cortina reached the age of 13, he had experienced poverty, trauma, homelessness, the murder of his best friend, and the deportation of both of his parents. In his EDTalks, Walter will draw on his personal and professional experience to speak to how schools, community leaders and policy-makers must engage with the experiences and leadership of young people when reimagining schools and systems, particularly youth who have faced trauma in their young lives. Walter will also discuss the transformative power of developmental, mentoring relationships, and the importance of centering BIPOC young people in these discussions and giving them a head seat at the table.

EDTalks is presented by Achieve Twin Cities in partnership with the Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation. Learn more at www.achievetwincities.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​.

This virtual EDTalk was live streamed online on April 26, 2022. It was emceed by Amanda Koonjbeharry.

Presenter: Jeannine Erickson, Writer's Room Manager, 826 MSP

Jeannine Erickson from the arts education nonprofit 826 MSP discusses the importance of creating anti-racist and anti-oppressionist “third spaces” to support students in the classroom and other settings, such as the organization’s Writer’s Room at South High School. The creation of “third space” is rooted in abolitionist teaching practices and requires loving accountability, de-stigmatization of mental health, and de-centering of whiteness to truly support youth people in life and education. In her EDTalk, Jeannine shares how third space that is rooted in community-building, Afro-futurist theories and teachings, and decolonizing the lives, minds, and dreamscape of historically marginalized folks, can reshape and provide opportunities for rebirth for all young people, regardless of race or racial identity.

EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls in partnership with the Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​.

This virtual EDTalk was live streamed online on March 28, 2022. It was emceed by Adia Morris.

Presenter: Hannah Planalp, Program Manager, Foster Advocates

People who have experienced foster care face a unique set of education challenges for both K-12 and postsecondary school. Even though only 41% of Minnesota Fosters are able to graduate from high school, over 80% still want to go to college. For Fosters who are moving out of the child welfare system, postsecondary education is especially critical for their transition to adulthood. In this EDTalk, Hannah Planalp from Foster Advocates shares her personal stories of being a Foster and the mentor who supported her journey to college and a full scholarship. She also introduces Minnesota’s new Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants Program, which covers the full cost of attendance for Fosters at accredited schools. Throughout her talk, she shares data and insights from Foster leaders that broaden the conversation around foster care and education.

EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls in partnership with the Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​.

This virtual EDTalk was live streamed online on March 28, 2022. It was emceed by Adia Morris.

Almost every area of the human brain is required to engage in music-making. Student musicians do better in school, have higher attendance, graduation and test rates, and learn key 21st century workplace skills. It’s time to stop treating music education as optional and understand its critical importance in every child’s development, especially those from historically under-resourced communities. Musician, evaluator and educator Sara Zara Zanussi presents research on how integrating music from the beginning of every child’s development can actually rewire neurological pathways, increase student engagement and performance, and help close our education opportunity gaps.

EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls in partnership with the Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​.

This virtual EDTalk was live streamed online on February 23, 2022. It was emceed by Amanda Koonjbeharry.