Ninth District PTA’s 2014 Inclusion Conference
Today’s PTA Includes All of Us
Saturday, October 18, 2014
We welcomed nearly 90 people for this important event. Honored guests included Representative Susan Davis; San Diego City Council President Todd Gloria; Dr. Randy Ward; SDCOE Superintendent; and Otha Thornton, National PTA President. Click the photos below for a slide show.
Keynote Speaker
National PTA President Otha Thornton
Featured Speakers include
- San Diego County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Randy Ward
- San Diego City Council President Todd Gloria
- Diana Carson – Ability Awareness
Agenda
- 7:45 – Check in, Continental Breakfast & Resource Fair
- 8:30 – Conference Opens
- 9:45 – Workshop Session 1
- 11:15 – Workshop Session 2
- 12:30 – Buffet Lunch Served
- 1:00 – Panel Discussion
- 1:45 – Closing Remarks by Dr. Ward
Workshop Descriptions
Workshop Session 1
1a – Ability Awareness – Diana Pastora Carson, M.Ed. This workshop will include discussions of inclusion, diversity, societal attitudes and how they affect people who experience disability. So often, we conduct Ability Awareness or Disability Awareness activities for children that lead to perpetuation of the same old stereotypes, stigmas, and pity. By teaching today’s children about the disability experience from a perspective of dignity, respect, and appreciation, we will create future generations that honor and appreciate differences and offer respectful opportunities and supports to people.
1b – All of Us Includes All Sorts of Families – Terrie Vorono/PFLAG. Students, parents, teachers, and administrators from the LGBT community are on our campuses – we must develop a level of understanding to improve our school environments. Speakers from Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) San Diego County will share their message. PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of LGBT persons, their families and friends through support; education; and advocacy.
1c – Developing Diverse Leadership in Today’s PTA, National PTA President Otha Thornton. Otha Thornton will discuss the development of PTA leaders from diverse backgrounds so that PTAs can meet the needs of their school communities.
Workshop Session 2
2a – Military Families and the PTA. This class will provide insights on the challenges and strengths that military families bring to their school communities and PTA. The presenters will also discuss ways to make military families welcome in the school community and the PTA.
2b. – Engaging Latino/Hispanic Families, Norma Gomez, Albert Ochoa. This class will focus on how PTAs can better welcome and engage Latino/Hispanic families in their associations.