Equity in Education

Workshop Description: This workshop provides tips and strategies for completing the college application process, including learning about application requirements, writing essays, and choosing majors. 

Participants can expect: Discussion, Hands-on Activity, Problem-solving, Small group work, Verbal Presentation / Lecture, Writing, Q&A

This workshop is offered: AM, sessions 1 & 2

Content Level: Beginner

Speaker Bio: Dr. Adomako is a Program Manager at the UW-Madison's School of Education. She is also a Career & Academic coach. She has held various roles in academic & career advising services, teaching, belonging, and inclusion. Her work has involved guiding students across the educational pipeline by counseling and supporting them as they transition and navigate the college experience. 

Workshop Description: Opportunities abound for young people to engage in cultural exchange yet often we mostly interact with others whose cultural backgrounds are similar to our own. We will explore the many possibilities for cultural exchange including some where you don't even leave your house to others where you commit to years of work in another country with a completely different set of norms and expectations. 

Participants can expect: Discussion, Small group work, Advocacy / Action, Q&A, Debate

This workshop is offered: AM, sessions 1 & 2

Content Level: Beginner 

Speaker Bio: Tracy Frank has a background in education and her first years of teaching included teaching high school math and science in Ghana via the Peace Corps. She has continued bringing cultural awareness into her life and the lives of the teens around her through international student exchange programs. She is also active in local racial justice work in a variety of ways. Tracy believes in empowering youth as natural leaders, connected community members and healthy decision makers. 

Workshop Description: Doodle Lounge: a space (typically run online) where neurodivergent artists aged 8+ come together daily to share their work, offer support, and collaborate. Each session starts with a fun Doodle Prompt, followed by free time to draw with pencil and paper or an iPad. Whether you’re looking to refine your skills or enjoy a creative community, Doodle Lounge offers a welcoming space for all. 

Participants can expect: Hands-on Activity, Small group work, Hands-on working with digital technology: iPads + laptops

This is a unified workshop. Participants will be partnered with a student with disabilities. 

This workshop is offered: PM, sessions 3 & 4

Content Level: Beginner 

Speaker Bio: 

Chris Willey (he/him) is the Director of Technology at Islands of Brilliance, where he helps neurodivergent teens and young adults build creative tech skills through hands-on, future-facing programs. A former college professor and founder of an immersive media lab, he’s spent over a decade teaching digital art, animation, 3D, and emerging media. 

Natalie Derr (she/they) is an interdisciplinary artist working at the intersection of digital media and traditional studio practices. Grounded in her training in Digital Studio Practice and Painting & Drawing at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, she leverages creative intervention to support identity exploration for neurodivergent students. As Lead Creative Technologist at Islands of Brilliance, her focus is to build curriculum supporting empathy, imagination, and inclusive artmaking to foster connection among her students. 

Workshop Description: Join members of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. as we share real stories about being first-generation college students and breaking barriers in higher education. You’ll learn practical tips on applications, financial aid, and overcoming self-doubt/imposter syndrome. This will be the chance to ask honest questions in a supportive space.

Participants can expect: Discussion

This workshop is offered: AM, session 1 & 2

Content Level: Beginner

Speaker Bio: The purpose of Lambda Theta Alpha shall be to provide a sisterhood based on Unity, Love, and Respect; to provide social and cultural activities; and to carry on charitable and educational programs to promote leadership, maintain high academic standards; and serve as a voice for the Latino community. 

Ximena Sanchez - Chapter President

Valerey Aguirre - Chapter Vice President 

Jennifer Reynaga - Chapter Treasurer 

Workshop Description: What is the Healthy School Meals for All (HSM4A) movement and how it can improve your school lunch? Come share your school lunch experiences, learn about the HSM4A Wisconsin movement, and help create a school lunch program that works for everyone.

Participants can expect: Discussion

This workshop is offered: AM, sessions 1 & 2

Content Level: Beginner 

Speaker Bio: Allison's love of local food began as a kid eating handfuls of red raspberries in her grandparents’ garden. As Farm to School Director at REAP Food Group, Allison works to advocate for and support every person involved in growing food to bring to the school cafeteria table. Knowing that Farm to School works best in partnership with strong school nutrition programs, REAP Food Group assists in research and advocates for local, state, and federal policies that benefit students and school nutrition programs as a whole, including Healthy School Meals for All Wisconsin, a movement to bring no-cost school meals to all K-12 Wisconsin students.

Workshop Description: While AI biases are harmful, we are often left with an ethical dilemma: If the AI intervention improves the outcome for everyone, even if the improvement is more for one group than another, do we choose to deny access to the intervention to everyone? In the absence of a better alternative, is the use of the AI intervention justified? Are there situations where finding an alternative could be especially difficult? Join us to deliberate ethical classroom dilemmas like this one and the value tensions that arise as a result.

Participants can expect: Discussion, Verbal Presentation / Lecture, Deliberation. We will also intersperse information about responsible AI values and value conflicts throughout the session, though it won't be a lecture.

This workshop is offered: AM, sessions 1 & 2 

Content Level: Beginner 

Speaker Bio: 

Sandra Taylor-Marshall is an Outreach Program Manager in the office of Professional Learning and Community Education (PLACE). A mission-driven leader and learning experience designer, Sandra utilizes job-embedded instructional coaching to bridge the gap between research and classroom practice, empowering educators to implement sustainable, scalable strategies that address the strengths and challenges within their complex, modern classrooms.

Shamya Karumbaiah studies human-centered AI for teaching and learning. Her current research focuses on constructing a scientific and critical understanding of equitable and responsible use of AI in classrooms. After being a computer scientist for over ten years, she earned a PhD in learning sciences from the University of Pennsylvania. Before joining UW-Madison, she spent a year as a postdoc fellow at Carnegie Mellon University where she studied ways to augment teacher practices in human-AI partnered instruction.

Workshop Description: Side Quest is a motivation-first, tutorial-powered learning community designed for neurodivergent creators. This session centers on digital illustration in Procreate, beginning with a shared exploration of color, one focused technique that gives everyone a confident starting point. From there, participants move into related tutorials and parallel play, developing their own illustrations side by side while following their curiosity and creative momentum. 

Participants can expect: Hands-on Activity, Small group work, Hands-on working with digital technology: iPads + laptops

This is a unified workshop. Participants will be partnered with a student with disabilities. 

This workshop is offered: PM, sessions 3 & 4

Content Level: Beginner 

Speaker Bio: 

Chris Willey (he/him) is the Director of Technology at Islands of Brilliance, where he helps neurodivergent teens and young adults build creative tech skills through hands-on, future-facing programs. A former college professor and founder of an immersive media lab, he’s spent over a decade teaching digital art, animation, 3D, and emerging media. 

Natalie Derr (she/they) is an interdisciplinary artist working at the intersection of digital media and traditional studio practices. Grounded in her training in Digital Studio Practice and Painting & Drawing at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, she leverages creative intervention to support identity exploration for neurodivergent students. As Lead Creative Technologist at Islands of Brilliance, her focus is to build curriculum supporting empathy, imagination, and inclusive artmaking to foster connection among her students. 

Workshop Description: Earn $750 Stipend, .5 Credit and DPI Employability skills certificate being an Academic Tutor mentor in a K-5 Classroom for 90 hours per semester/summer. With successful completion you will receive opportunities from work force development centers that Root 2 Rise has connections to. This is a great opportunity to be a leader in your community!

Participants can expect: Hands-on Activity, Verbal Presentation / Lecture, Game(s)

This workshop is offered: PM, sessions 3 & 4 

Content Level: Beginner

Speaker Bio: Joseph Thigpen is the Program Manager for Root 2 Rise. He is passionate about mentoring and creating opportunities for young people. Helping them build confidence and leadership skills along the way.