The Annual AAREA Professional Development Breakfast is an inspirational conference designed to inform and motivate educators and community leaders focused on African American educational equity. Each breakfast features a panel of experts to provide strategies, techniques and resources for accomplishing these goals. The event also acknowledges the contributions of local educators making a difference in the lives of African American students.
Each year, the Professional Development Breakfast kicks off the AAREA Professional Developments Series. This professional development program focuses on aligning curricular and teaching approaches towards African American success. The sessions assist educators with the culturally relevant and responsive integration of core content matter while meeting the guidelines of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).
Specifically, this series:
- Impacts educator’s content knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge and culturally relevant instructional strategies
- Provides educators with culturally relevant tools and strategies that enhance the success of African American students.
2014 Professional Development Breakfast Recap:
African American Regional Educational Alliances’ 5th Annual Professional Development Breakfast
Theme:
“Cutting To the Core – Linking Compelling Common Core Instructional Practices to the Achievement of African American Students”
Location:
ConneXion@Jack London Park
525 4th Street Suite 109, Oakland, CA 94607
Attendees learned, discussed and shared best practices for integrating Common Core using culturally relevant instructional practices to enhance the educational success of African American students in the Bay Area.
Plenary Speakers:
- Dr. Jamal Cooks, Associate Professor, Department of Secondary Education, San Francisco State University
- Dr. Ruth Cossey, Associate Professor and Co-Director of the Mid-Career Mathematics and Science Teachers Credential Program, School of Education, Mills College
Session Facilitators:
Break-out sessions focused on taking a deeper look at CCSS Math, ELA, Technology, and included a Special Session for Administrators:
- Dr. Lanette Jimmerson, Academic Researcher and Program Manager at the Stanford Center for Assessment, Learning, & Equity (SCALE), Stanford University
- Gail Standiford, Mathematics Specialist/Coach/Former Math Department Chair and Educational Consultant
- Jessica Lucio, Teacher on Special Assignment for Educational Technology, San Lorenzo Unified School District
- Dr. Frank Wells, Director of School Leadership and Support, Santa Clara County Office of Education
2014 Educators of Excellence Award Recipients:
- Aisha Knowles, ACOE Board Member and Public Information Office for Alameda County Fire Fighters
- I’Asha Warfield, 7th Grade English Teacher, Oakland Unified School District
- Dr. Ammar Saheli, Director of Student Services, San Lorenzo Unified School District
Other Event Features included:
- Vendors featuring culturally relevant educational materials and resources
- Networking
- Full Soul-food breakfast
Examples of other Past Panelists and Topics
Dr. Arnetha Ball, Ph.D, Director of African & African American Studies, Stanford University
Topic: Literacy Practices In Community-Based Organizations: Implementations for Schools. She focused on how words, action routines, and performances serve to reinforce high standards, group achievement, discipline, and group cohesion among inner-city youth.
Dr. Craig Adams, Ph.D, Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice
Topic: Teaching Young African American Males How Not to Surrender Their Power. He presented strategies that enabled young the young men to save face and get out of confrontational (dangerous) situations without it costing a life.
Dr. Sharon Jones, MD Internal Medicine, Private Practice
Topic: Maintaining a healthy body, mind and spirit and overall sense of well-being during stressful times.
Ward Rountree, California Teachers, Executive Director Emeritus
Topic: Navigating your district’s system effectively to address issues in the workplace.
Dr. Shadidi Sia-Maat, Ph.D, Education Consultant, California Department of Education
Topic: New State and Federal legislations and its impact on the African American educational community.
Dr. Kimberly Mayfield, Dean of Education, Holy Names College
Topic: Status of African American Educators in California
Professional Development Awards
AAREA®’s Professional Development Breakfast honors educators and community members focused on the educational equity of African American students. Award categories include:
Education Service Award
This award is for a classified staff, parent or community person who has made significant contributions in civic, community or social programs which enhance and advance the education and the quality of life of African American youth within their region, city and/or school district.
Educator of Excellence
The EDUCATOR OF EXCELLENCE AWARD is presented to a Certificated Educator who has made significant accomplishments that positively affect the education of African American children through the development of programs and practices that advance the students’ learning and by leveraging his/her leadership position to provide educational excellence for all students.
What People Say about the Professional Development Breakfast
“Please thank your staff again for all of their hard work in preparing Saturday’s workshop. You just don’t know: I felt like it was designed to speak to me personally. I needed to be uplifted spiritually, emotionally, cognitively, and physically!”Sheila P. Lawrence, SLUSD Director, Student Support Services
Do you know an outstanding African American educator? Contact us and we’ll be sure to send out an invitation to the AAREA® Professional Development Breakfast.
Educators and school personnel! Find out how you can help get parents and clergy involved in creating a stronger educational community for African Americans.
Do you know a student we should honor for academic or cultural achievement? Learn more about the African American Student Achievement & Excellence Awards®