The Teacher's Forum
Welcome to "The Teacher's Forum" hosted by David Harris, a veteran educator with 30 years of experience in private, public, and charter schools. This podcast is your platform to hear the voices of educators from the United States and around the world, with a special focus on educators of color, who are often overlooked in crucial education discussions today. Join us as we dive into important topics, and experiences of K-12 educators, and get a chance to hear from David’s former students, as they share their stories, insights, and experiences. Be sure to tune in and let's celebrate the dedication and excellence of educators together!
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The Teacher's Forum
Safe Spaces & Resilient Voices: The Pioneering Legacy of the People of Color Conference
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Join David for this enlightening episode of The Teacher's Forum as we delve into the rich history and transformative impact of the National Association of Independent Schools' annual People of Color Conference (POCC). Our distinguished guests, Bobby Edwards, Director of Community Inclusion & External Relations at the McLean School in Maryland; Jacqui Pelzer, Executive Director of EARLY STEPS; and Jana Dorsey, Associate Director of Outreach for Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging at Providence Day School in Charlotte, NC, guide us through the evolution of this significant conference.
We return to 1986 when POCC had its beginnings in Reston, VA, with fewer than 200 participants, and explore the catalysts that led to the inception of this crucial conference. Our guests shed light on the conference's growth, transforming into a major educational gathering with over 8,000 attendees from across the U.S., as well as internationally. We also discuss the inception and development of the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) as a vital component of POCC.
In a riveting discussion, we tackle the challenges and triumphs faced by BIPOC educators in creating and maintaining a safe space within independent schools. Our guests discuss the integral role of POCC in fostering inclusivity and providing a sanctuary for BIPOC educators to connect, learn, and thrive. We also address recent attacks on the conference by right-wing organizations, exploring the resilience and strategies needed to preserve the conference's original mission and integrity.
This episode is a compelling exploration of the People of Color Conference, its transformative impact on education, and the ongoing efforts to ensure that it remains a beacon of empowerment and diversity. Tune in for an essential conversation that transcends the classroom and resonates with the broader mission of creating a more inclusive and equitable educational landscape.
For more information on POCC visit https://www.nais.org/pocc/
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