1st Annual Philadelphia Education Conference

1st Annual Philadelphia Education Conference
Presented by... Jim Stephens, Philadelphia Community Corps, and Project EDU

The Philadelphia Education Conference’s mission is to inspire a discussion on the state of education in Philadelphia, and co-produce a plan for educational reform.

Why?
Everyone knows that the American education system is failing its citizens, and the situation here in Philadelphia is no different, but we in the education community do not always agree on what should be done to fix it. If we are ever going to reconcile these opinions and come up with a realistic plan for reform it has to start with a conversation that includes representatives of the entire education community.

How?
We’re going to host six 30-minute question and answer panels representing different perspectives within the the education community. Meanwhile, there will be four 50-minute breakout sessions in an adjacent conference room that will focus on workshopping solutions to problems in the education system. At the end of the day there will be a large town hall style session to co-produce a plan for tangible steps we can take towards education reform.

Where/When?
The conference will be in Room 200 at Temple University’s Howard Gittis Student Center on Sunday, June 5th from 10 AM to 4 PM. Doors open at 9:30 AM.

Address:
1755 N. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122.

Registration?
If you are coming to the conference you MUST purchase your ticket ahead of time on our TicketLeap page. No tickets will be sold at the event.

We will discuss through panels, breakout sessions, lectures and a town hall style closing hosted by Monica Montgomery and sponsored by Arete Magazine. Goals will also be set for the next 12 months.

Topics will include:

Social Justice - Health and Empowerment - Student Perspectives -Volunteerism and Civic Engagement - Out of School Time -Educator Perspectives - The Arts - Education & Technology.

Parents, students, educators, and all those concerned and looking to be a part of positive reform in our youths education in the classroom and out of it do not want to miss this event.

As more participants are being added every day, and several more amazing individuals and organizations are pending final confirmation. this is where we stand as of this typing. I'll keep updated with new additions so check back regularily. Sorry, but I'm not able to double space the names, must be out of space.
My sincerest Thank You to everyone involved and who has helped this concept come to life.
Confirmed to date:
Jim Stephens - Founder of Elite Rescue, Recovery, and Rebuilding
Greg Trainor - Philadelphia Community Corps, United Philly
Alex McNeil and Project EDU Temple University-City Year
Howard Jean - Director of Education at Cheyney University, Founder of the national programs Call Me M.I.S.T.E.R and S.E.I.L. (Success through Education, Inspiration, and Leadership)
Gina Renzi - University of Pennsylvania Director of The Rotunda, After School Programs
Bunmi Samuel - Freedom Schools, Director of Education of Friends Neighborhood Guild, Community Leader for Health and Nutrition at -EPIC, Board Member of Temple University's Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities
James Elam - Professor, Mentor, Founder of Pride Academy After School Program - a three tiered program consisting of education, arts, and athletics
Chuck Treece - several after school programs and youth Skating initiatives, Pew Fellowsip for the Arts Recipient, NARAS Board
Isaiah Thomas - Associate Dean of Students, Athletic Director, and Head Boys Basketball Coach at Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School. Candidate for Philadelphia City Council at Large
Tony Payton - State Representative
Tony Alvarez - Mariani Bracetti Academy Charter School - Dir. of School and Community Development
Tiffany Bacon - Connect to Protect Health Collective; Public Health Management Corp, PRAISE 103.9, 100.3 THE BEAT, 107.9 WRNB
Tiffany Thompson - Youth Health Empowerment Program (Y-HEP)
Russell Hicks - 100 Black Men of Philadelphia, E3 Centers
Richard DeJesus - Richard and Friends of the Community
Jeff Murray - YouthStarz
John Price - University of Pennsylvania Policy and Procuedure Department - OST Programs
Jonathan Centeno - ASPIRA, EPIC Kensington
Monica Montgomery - Arete Magazine
Celandra Rice Prince - Elements of Inspiration Radio Show, 1460 AM
Mark Savage, Jr. - Spoken Word Artist, Bright Lights Foundation, 528 Crescendo Productions
Ann Guise - Bright Ligts Foundation
Ryshon Jones - Spoken Word Artist
Jamilla Harris, Philadelphia Youth Poetry Movement (PYPM)
Darryl Clark - Help Educate Leaders for the Present (H.E.L.P.)
Alison Lin - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia - Connect to Protect Initiative
Thomas Butler - Project Grad ( Philly Chapter)
Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development and Philadelphia Neighborhoods.com will also be assisting in promoting the conference.
Please check out the event page and ticketing page, and hope to see you there. Contact me if you would be interested in sponsorship or tables. Flier will be coming any day.