Our Stories, Our Cultures: DEIB Education Symposium
Tuesday, October 8, 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. | University of Mount Union Campus
The University of Mount Union's School of Education is hosting its second Education Symposium focused on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. This event will bring together exceptional educators and practitioners across the region to share their work and discuss language, culture, race, social justice, resources, and allyship, and other topics relevant to the priorities of PK-12 education and higher education. We invite you to join us on the journey to create educational communities committed to inclusion, equity, and belonging.
This free conference includes breakfast and lunch provided for all participants. The full schedule is listed at the bottom of this page. Please join us for an inspiring day on the University of Mount Union campus!
Opening Presentation
Northern Cheyenne Middle School students and Lippman School partners
The Lippman School of Akron has partnered with the Northern Cheyenne people of Lame Deer, Montana to promote shared cultural understanding. Tribal elders and educators develop an array of programming and cross-cultural learning that takes place both on the reservation and in Akron. Students and educators from both communities visit the other and teach and learn alongside one another. Program highlights include developing new city and county legislation that established North American First People’s Day in Akron and Summit County, an annual celebration and education about indigenous people. Students also collaborated to create a web-based app about the Portage Path, one of Akron’s most ancient and historic landmarks. Students have learned history together, studied genocide, explored ancient indigenous art forms, and spent time in each other’s school, homes and communities learning what it’s like growing up in their respective contexts.
Closing Presentation — "Storytelling: The Heart of It All"
Lindsay Bonilla, Author and Storyteller
Lindsay Bonilla is a professional storyteller and children’s book author from North Canton, Ohio. She lives with her husband, two wild and creative kids (who believe themselves to be a Komodo dragon and lion, respectively), and her dog, Blitzen. While earning her Bachelor’s degree in theatre and religion at Northwestern University, she fell in love with folktales and world travel. Lindsay has performed interactive theatre, shared stories and taught workshops all over the world. These experiences have made her passionate about building understanding and relationships across cultures while inspiring the imagination. When she’s not writing or performing, she can be found building Legos with her kids as they brainstorm her next book idea.