On Saturday, May 21, the first Boston-area Educators for Social Justice Conference took place at the Curley School in Jamaica Plain. Beaver faculty, students and administrators presented three workshops. It was a wonderful opportunity to show Beaver’s commitment to and leadership in social justice and to learn from other practitioners.

Upper school English teacher Robin Neal showcased his work on incorporating social justice issues into the English classroom. The Hiatt Center’s Director of Educational Leadership Robert Principe and Assistant Head of School Nancy Caruso presented on curriculum design for social justice teaching and learning. Kit Beaudoiun, the Hiatt Center’s Director of Community Engagement, and four students (Ani Keshishian ’12, Jake Carroll ’12, Ivanna Meija ’12 and Nasjwa Aswad ’12) presented on building youth activism.

The students, all Social Action Leaders (SALs) at Beaver shared the following thoughts on their experience:

“This was a wonderful opportunity. The educators present were deeply engaged and related to the work we do as SALs.” (Ivanna)

“It was exciting to present to an adult audience and to hear their perspectives.” (Jake)

“I liked hearing how others would take it (SALs) back to their own schools.” (Ani)

“It was great to see so much diversity in the room.” (Nizzy)

For more information on the conference and to see the ongoing work of the lead group, Teacher Activist Group (TAG), go to Boston-area Educators for Social Justice Conference and tagboston.org.

Photo: Beaver students at the Boston-area Educators for Social Justice Conference.