IncludEd in Schools will be held at Westminster University in Salt Lake City, Utah, on November 2, 2024, and this year, we will be celebrating our women in education.
Join us for our annual conference designed to celebrate, connect, and uplift our education community.
Kicking off with registration and a vibrant Community Resource Fair, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with local organizations such as our Teacher Fellows, Bolder Way Forward and many other valuable resources.
The event features a dynamic keynote address titled "Unstoppable" by the executive director of the National Association for Multicultural Education, Charlene Lui, who will set the tone for a day filled with motivation and insightful discussion from over 30 years in Utah education.
Following the keynote, our IncludEd Talks showcase powerful research from three of our Utah educators in Educational Leadership & Policy programs. We have Susie Estrada’s "Can't Hold Us Down," Caroline Smith’s "Confident," and Rebecca Powell’s "Run the World (Girls),"
After lunch, we present a special performance of EllaMental by Plan B Theatre, which centers on Ella, a black, twelve-year-old sixth-grader struggling to make sense of Big feelings from the pandemic - grief, fear, loss, and anger - in a post-COVID world.
In the afternoon, attendees can choose from a range of breakout workshops tailored to promote growth and understanding. Options include restorative practice circles, discussions on equal opportunity in education, and crucial topics like suicide prevention and safe messaging.The second round of workshops offers even more insights, with sessions focused on empowering young girls, exploring Title IX, and an additional breakout for restorative practices circles.
The day culminates with Amanda Darrow’s closing message, "End Game," offering reflections and motivation as we wrap up the conference.
Finally, unwind at our social event, "Rhythm is Gonna Get You," featuring live music from Red Shot Pony, where you can celebrate connections made throughout the day.
If you have any questions about IncludEd in Schools, please email: [email protected].
Join us for our annual conference designed to celebrate, connect, and uplift our education community.
Kicking off with registration and a vibrant Community Resource Fair, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with local organizations such as our Teacher Fellows, Bolder Way Forward and many other valuable resources.
The event features a dynamic keynote address titled "Unstoppable" by the executive director of the National Association for Multicultural Education, Charlene Lui, who will set the tone for a day filled with motivation and insightful discussion from over 30 years in Utah education.
Following the keynote, our IncludEd Talks showcase powerful research from three of our Utah educators in Educational Leadership & Policy programs. We have Susie Estrada’s "Can't Hold Us Down," Caroline Smith’s "Confident," and Rebecca Powell’s "Run the World (Girls),"
After lunch, we present a special performance of EllaMental by Plan B Theatre, which centers on Ella, a black, twelve-year-old sixth-grader struggling to make sense of Big feelings from the pandemic - grief, fear, loss, and anger - in a post-COVID world.
In the afternoon, attendees can choose from a range of breakout workshops tailored to promote growth and understanding. Options include restorative practice circles, discussions on equal opportunity in education, and crucial topics like suicide prevention and safe messaging.The second round of workshops offers even more insights, with sessions focused on empowering young girls, exploring Title IX, and an additional breakout for restorative practices circles.
The day culminates with Amanda Darrow’s closing message, "End Game," offering reflections and motivation as we wrap up the conference.
Finally, unwind at our social event, "Rhythm is Gonna Get You," featuring live music from Red Shot Pony, where you can celebrate connections made throughout the day.
If you have any questions about IncludEd in Schools, please email: [email protected].
Location
Westminster University
1840 S 1300 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84105
1840 S 1300 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84105
Date & Time
November 2, 2024,
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Schedule
10:00 Registration and Community Resource Fair
11:00 Keynote: "Unstoppable" with Charlene Lui
11:45 IncludEd Talk #1: "Can't Hold Us Down" with Susie Estrada
12:00 IncludEd Talk #2: "Confident" with Caroline Smith
12:15 IncludEd Talk #3: "Run the World (Girls)" with Rebecca Powell
12:30 Lunch
1:30 Special Performance of EllaMental from Plan B Theatre
2:45 IncludEd Workshops
Breakout Option #1 "Open Your Heart" Restorative Practice Circles with Chelsie Acosta, Jennifer Newell, and Lamar Spotted Elk
(2 sessions available)
Breakout Option #2
"Rise Up" Equal Opportunity in Education with Holly Bell &
Amanda Darrow
Breakout Option #3
"What Was I Made For?" Suicide Prevention & Safe Messaging with Ash Fletcher-Garcia
4:00 IncludEd Workshops
Breakout Option #1 "Open Your Heart" Restorative Practice Circles with Chelsie Acosta, Jennifer Newell, and Lamar Spotted Elk
(2 sessions available)
Breakout Option #2 "Roar" Empowering Girls Through A Bolder Way Forward with Deborah Lin
Breakout Option #3 "Not Your Barbie Girl" Title IX: Then and Now with Holly Bell
5:15 Educational Equity Awards from the IncludEd United Board & "End Game" Closing Message with Amanda Darrow
5:30 "Rhythm is Gonna Get You" Social with live music from Red Shot Pony
11:00 Keynote: "Unstoppable" with Charlene Lui
11:45 IncludEd Talk #1: "Can't Hold Us Down" with Susie Estrada
12:00 IncludEd Talk #2: "Confident" with Caroline Smith
12:15 IncludEd Talk #3: "Run the World (Girls)" with Rebecca Powell
12:30 Lunch
1:30 Special Performance of EllaMental from Plan B Theatre
2:45 IncludEd Workshops
Breakout Option #1 "Open Your Heart" Restorative Practice Circles with Chelsie Acosta, Jennifer Newell, and Lamar Spotted Elk
(2 sessions available)
Breakout Option #2
"Rise Up" Equal Opportunity in Education with Holly Bell &
Amanda Darrow
Breakout Option #3
"What Was I Made For?" Suicide Prevention & Safe Messaging with Ash Fletcher-Garcia
4:00 IncludEd Workshops
Breakout Option #1 "Open Your Heart" Restorative Practice Circles with Chelsie Acosta, Jennifer Newell, and Lamar Spotted Elk
(2 sessions available)
Breakout Option #2 "Roar" Empowering Girls Through A Bolder Way Forward with Deborah Lin
Breakout Option #3 "Not Your Barbie Girl" Title IX: Then and Now with Holly Bell
5:15 Educational Equity Awards from the IncludEd United Board & "End Game" Closing Message with Amanda Darrow
5:30 "Rhythm is Gonna Get You" Social with live music from Red Shot Pony
Speakers
Charlene Lui
Charlene Lui has a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and completed doctoral courses in
multicultural education and English as a second language. Charlene began her
educational career teaching in high school. She began her career in Granite School
District in 1996 where she has been an Assistant Principal at a junior high school and
principal at elementary schools. Charlene retired in July 2021 after serving for twenty
years as the Director of Educational Equity. She is also an adjunct instructor at Salt Lake
Community College and Brigham Young University. Charlene currently serves as the
Executive Director of the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME).
Charlene is an advocate for equity, social justice, and the advancement of multicultural
education. She is the current ACLU of Utah board president. Charlene is on several
boards in the NHPI community. Charlene received the Exemplary Educator for Diversity
Award, the Cesar Chavez Peace and Social Justice Award, the Martin Luther King Drum
Major Award, the MLK Humanitarian Award, the Human Rights Award, and most
recently, the OCA Asian Pacific Islander American Advocates Utah Lifetime
Achievement Award in 2023.
Charlene was married to the late Sione Kaisa Lui for 46 years. They have six children
and 10 grandchildren.
multicultural education and English as a second language. Charlene began her
educational career teaching in high school. She began her career in Granite School
District in 1996 where she has been an Assistant Principal at a junior high school and
principal at elementary schools. Charlene retired in July 2021 after serving for twenty
years as the Director of Educational Equity. She is also an adjunct instructor at Salt Lake
Community College and Brigham Young University. Charlene currently serves as the
Executive Director of the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME).
Charlene is an advocate for equity, social justice, and the advancement of multicultural
education. She is the current ACLU of Utah board president. Charlene is on several
boards in the NHPI community. Charlene received the Exemplary Educator for Diversity
Award, the Cesar Chavez Peace and Social Justice Award, the Martin Luther King Drum
Major Award, the MLK Humanitarian Award, the Human Rights Award, and most
recently, the OCA Asian Pacific Islander American Advocates Utah Lifetime
Achievement Award in 2023.
Charlene was married to the late Sione Kaisa Lui for 46 years. They have six children
and 10 grandchildren.
Susie Estrada
Susie Estrada is a dynamic, humorous, and charismatic professional with over 17 years of experience in education and youth development. Susie currently works with the Utah State Board of Education as the Family and Community Engagement Specialist and has had many other roles through community work, teaching in the early childhood setting and inclusive settings, gang prevention and intervention, out-of-school time program, supervision and mentoring, policy, ELL support, curriculum development, and more! As an NAA 2020 Next Generation of Leaders award recipient, Susie has a proven track record with innovation, effective partnerships, and inclusion of all community voices.
Caroline Smith
With a profound love for Utah State University, Caroline Smith is continuing her educational journey to pursue a doctoral degree in Cultural Studies while teaching 11 years of English, ESL, and Diversity in the Cache County School District. Seeing minoritized students and their daily struggles ignited her passion for marginalized perspectives, shaping her teaching philosophy to incorporate diverse voices into her curriculum. Caroline’s research has led her toward a BIPOC queer and trans focus, and she hopes to use her privilege to change policies and procedures at the school, district, and state level. She does research FOR queer and trans students, not on them.
Rebecca Powell is an elementary literacy specialist with over a decade of experience in education.
Rebecca brings humor, kindness, and passion to her work supporting teachers; she believes educators are society’s greatest gift and feels lucky to work alongside them. The brilliant women in her life, especially her mother, grandmother, and dearest friends, helped Rebecca aspire to be where she is today. Her dad and brothers also mean the world to her.
Rebecca is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Elementary Leadership and Policy at the University of Utah. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her beloved Great Dane.
Rebecca brings humor, kindness, and passion to her work supporting teachers; she believes educators are society’s greatest gift and feels lucky to work alongside them. The brilliant women in her life, especially her mother, grandmother, and dearest friends, helped Rebecca aspire to be where she is today. Her dad and brothers also mean the world to her.
Rebecca is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Elementary Leadership and Policy at the University of Utah. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her beloved Great Dane.
Chelsie Acosta
Chelsie Acosta is a proud Latina educator in Salt Lake City, Utah. She currently serves as the ACLU National Board Member for Utah and has been on the board of ACLU of Utah for seven years. Chelsie serves locally and nationally within the National Education Association as the Chair of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee. UEA Safe Schools Taskforce and as Vice President for her local, Salt Lake Education Association. Chelsie’s life work is dedicated to racial and social justice.
Jennifer Newell
Speakers
Lamar Spotted Elk
Lamar Spotted Elk has worked for over 24 years in education as a teacher, counselor, and administrator in K-12 and higher education. He is currently an assistant principal at Hillside Middle School. Lamar is a Fellowship Graduate from the University of Utah and Northern Arizona University. He is an enrolled member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe.
Holly Bell
Holly Bell is a passionate advocate for supporting the well-being and belonging of LGBTQIA+ youth. Her priority is ensuring each student has access to high-quality education in a safe and inclusive environment. She has provided statewide training for educators for over a decade. She received the Human Rights Award for LGBTQIA+ advocacy from the Utah School Counselor Association (USCA) in 2015. She serves on the state suicide prevention committee and LGBTQ+ workgroup for the Utah Behavioral Health Commission. She also volunteers as the policy advisor for IncludEd United. After her ten-year career in school counseling, she moved to the Utah State Board of Education to be the Student and Family Rights Specialist. She has served in this role for six years. She assists schools and districts in Utah in meeting the federal and state regulations that protect the constitutional and civil rights of students and families.
Amanda Darrow
Amanda Darrow is the Executive Director of IncludEd United. She works with many individuals, organizations, schools, and companies throughout the state and beyond to unite diverse cultures, languages, traditions, values, needs, and lived experiences through professional learning, workshops, inclusion training, and social media. Amanda was awarded Westminster College’s 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Unsung Hero Alumni Award for her work and dedication to LGBTQIA2S+ inclusion in the community and was recently inducted into the Utah Nonprofit Association’s Hall of Fame.
Ash Fletcher- Garcia
Deborah Lin
As Local Outreach & Curriculum Manager for the Utah Women & Leadership Project, Deborah works directly with Dr. Susan R. Madsen on her local level research agenda and social impact goals. Specifically, she collaborates in the planning and implementation of statewide research, resources, and events; creates new resources for all Utahns; researches and writes reports; and coaches individuals and teams on related topics and initiatives. She develops local partnerships across Utah, including creating and overseeing county coalitions for A Bolder Way Forward. Using the systems approach, she is helping bring together individuals and organizations from across the state to help girls and women thrive in every area of their lives. She has a master's degree in Teaching English as a Second Language and cares deeply about ensuring everyone can thrive.