Help CLI Present at SXSW EDU 2025!

About SXSW EDU

The SXSW EDU conference brings together educators, innovators, and thought leaders from around the world to discuss the future of education. This year, Children’s Literacy Initiative (CLI) has the opportunity to present two impactful sessions at SXSW EDU, and we need your support to make it happen!

Our Sessions

Description:

In the classroom, fostering a sense of belonging means creating spaces where all children feel seen, heard, affirmed, and empowered as their full, authentic selves. Our goal in this session is to investigate ways to increase and protect Black and Latinx children’s sense of belonging.

We will build our understanding of how systemic racism harms Black and Latinx children in the classroom. We will look at ways to mitigate this harm and practice using a tool to investigate classroom practice to increase and protect children’s sense of belonging.

Takeaways:

Explore how race, culture, ethnicity, and language practice affect a child’s sense of belonging.

Learn seven ways educators can increase Black and Latinx children’s sense of belonging.

Learn an inquiry tool to investigate classroom practices through the lens of belonging.

Speakers:

Caryn Henning, Managing Director of Program and Implementation, Children's Literacy Initiative

Erica Holmes Ware, Chief Program Officer, Children's Literacy Initiative

Description:

Concerns have emerged regarding the application of the science of reading in classrooms, particularly for Black, Latinx, and multilingual learners. This session will frame the science of reading discourse through a lens of criticality.

Organized around five limiting interpretations of the science of reading, we will advocate for adopting five larger, more critical considerations when considering what constitutes high-quality evidence-based literacy instruction.

Takeaways:

Explore additional arguments for and research to support a broader, more equitable approach to the sciences of reading.

Explore six shifts in practice that support equitable learning and ensure inclusive and culturally sustaining approaches to literacy education.

Apply a lens of criticality to common clickbait that promotes a narrow interpretation and application of the science of reading in classrooms.

Speakers:

Erica Holmes-Ware, Chief Program Officer, Children's Literacy Initiative

Demetra Disotuar, PhD, Manager of Content & Program Development, Children's Literacy Initiative

How to Vote

Your vote can help shape the programming at SXSW EDU 2025 and ensure that these crucial topics are discussed on a global stage. Follow these simple steps to cast your vote:

1. Register

Visit the SXSW EDU PanelPicker website.

Create an account or log in if you already have one.

2. Review and Vote

Search for "Creating a Sense of Belonging in Our Classrooms" and "Equity, Criticality, & the Science of Reading."

Review our session proposals.

Click the "Vote Up" button for each session.

3. Comment and Share

Leave a comment to show your support.

Share the link with your network and encourage them to vote too!

Why Your Votes Matter

The voting process for SXSW EDU consists of three stages:

Community Votes (30%)

Your input is vital in shaping the event.

SXSW EDU Staff (30%)

Experienced staffers ensure a balance of new and veteran speakers.

SXSW EDU Advisory Board (40%)

A group of industry experts provides significant feedback.

Support Our Effort

We need your help to spread the word! Download our toolkit of graphics and see the sample social media blurbs you can use to encourage others to vote.

Facebook / LinkedIn

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 CLI is vying for a spot at #SXSWEDU 2025 with two impactful sessions on fostering belonging and equitable literacy practices. Your vote can help us bring these essential conversations to a global stage! 🙌

🗳️ How to Vote:

Visit SXSW EDU PanelPicker.
Create an account or log in.
Search for "Creating a Sense of Belonging in Our Classrooms" and "Equity, Criticality, & the Science of Reading" here: https://shorturl.at/jorFz.
Click "Vote Up" for both sessions.

Help us spread the word by voting and sharing this post! Thank you for your support! 💛

#CLIatSXSWEDU #VoteCLI #EducationEquity #LiteracyForAll

Instagram / Twitter (X)

🌟 Exciting News! CLI is vying for a spot at #SXSWEDU 2025! Vote for our sessions on fostering belonging & equitable literacy practices. 🙌 Visit cli.org/help-cli-present-at-sxsw-edu-2025 to learn more. #CLIatSXSWEDU #VoteCLI #EducationEquity

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