We are thrilled to have 18 excellent educators from across Saint Paul Public Schools presenting at the inaugural CRI Expo. Breakout session topics include building community in the classroom, integrating CRI and science, engaging English Learners through collectivism, using tech tools to tell students' stories, and interrupting microaggressions to create an inclusive classroom. Presentations will be immersive and engaging to provide you with the WHY of what we do in education and give you practical resources to use in your classrooms.
Attendees will receive in-service clock hours toward re-licensure and be compensated at the workshop rate. Sign up for individual or all days you plan to attend in PowerSchool.
Keynote Presenters
Anh-Hoa Nguyen
Poet/Educator
Ánh-Hoa Thị Nguyễn
Ánh-Hoa Thị Nguyễn is a refugee, poet, community engagement artist, curator and educator. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Mills College in Oakland, California. Her writing has appeared in publications such as "Asian Pacific American Journal;“Troubling Borders: An Anthology of Art and Literature by Southeast Asian Women in the Diaspora”; “diaCRITICS,” a project of the Diasporic Vietnamese Artists Network; and the "Journal of Southeast Asian American Education and Advancement." Her most recent publication is a food essay titled “Buy 10 Get 1 Free! Open Letter to Bánh Mì Wanna Be’s” in “What We Hunger For: Refugee and Immigrant Stories about Food and Family” edited by Sun Yung Shin 신 선 영.
In addition to many community literary and art projects, Ánh-Hoa is a member of She Who Has No Master(s), a collective of women and gender-nonconforming writers of the Vietnamese diaspora and is the curator of the recent art exhibition featuring two Vietnamese American women artists titled “Reverberating Bodies: Christine Nguyen & Dao Strom” at The Catherine G. Murphy Gallery at St. Catherine University.
Lue Thao
Breakdancer
Lue Thao
Lue Thao is the founder and director of Cypher Side Dance School. Originally born in Thailand, Lue has been raised in the East Side of Saint Paul for the majority of his life and graduated from Harding High School. Lue has been dancing for 18 years and is a member of Optimistic Crew and an NBA Timberwolves and WNBA Lynx performer since 2015. He has won over 20 dance competitions and performed in various events including Super Bowl 52 Halftime, Vanilla Ice I Love 90's Tour Performance, Tori Kelly Prince Tribute Concert, MPLS Mayor Jacob Frey Inauguration Party, and more!
Cypher Side was established in 2017 and currently teaches break, hip-hop, and K-pop dances to students ages three to adults. A “cypher” is an important hip-hop ritual in which dancers circle up and take turns dancing in the center, showcasing their personal style, and building community through mutual encouragement. With the belief that the performing arts can help young people build lifelong confidence, strength, and grit, Cypher Side's mission is to welcome young people into a healthy and diverse community and inspire them to learn and perform different dance styles.
Dr. Artika R. Tyner
Author/Social Change Speaker
Dr. Artika R. Tyner
Dr. Artika R. Tyner is a passionate educator, poet, author, sought-after speaker and advocate for justice. She is the founder of Planting People Growing Justice Press and Bookstore. In recognition of her leadership and service, she is the recipient of more than two dozen awards that include: Women in Business, American Small Business Champion, International Educator Citizen, and American Bar Association Difference Makers. Dr. Tyner is a 2022 Bush Fellow.
She has been featured in a variety of media outlets. She is a prolific, award-winning author of adult and children’s books that include: “Amazing Africa: A to Z” and “The Inclusive Leader: Taking Intentional Action for Justice and Equity.” In support of her philanthropic efforts, she created the Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute, a nonprofit organization committed to promoting literacy and diversity in books.
Kevin Yang
Spoken Word Artist
Kevin Yang
Kevin Yang is a Hmong American multidisciplinary artist from the Twin Cities with a focus on spoken word poetry and documentary filmmaking. He currently works at Twin Cities PBS as an education engagement specialist and is a board member with Street Stops and Mountain Tops. He finds most of his artistic inspiration unraveling his Hmong American experience with others.
Thank you for taking the time to attend the inaugural Culturally Responsive Instruction (CRI) Expo. After a school year full of successes and challenges, I am thankful for the opportunity to come together to reflect, learn from each other, and discover proven and culturally affirming ways to welcome students into our schools and classrooms next year and beyond.
By now, I hope you have read Zaretta Hammond’s “Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain.” Attending the CRI Expo is the next step in our collective journey to put these practices into action across Saint Paul Public Schools. Whether you are attending for one, two or all three days, I know your time here will be worthwhile, and you will go home with new ideas and renewed energy to make your own educational practice even better.
Each day, you will be treated to inspirational keynote sessions from noted scholars, artists and thought leaders. The majority of the agenda is dedicated to breakout sessions led by your peers from across the district, including educators from a variety of subject areas and grade levels, district instructional leaders and community partners. In these sessions, you will learn how your colleagues have integrated culturally responsive instruction into their classrooms, and how you can create an inclusive and engaging learning environment for all students.
We are glad you are here. Thank you for your continued dedication to your students, colleagues and Saint Paul Public Schools.
Joe Gothard has been superintendent of Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) since July 1, 2017. He is the educational leader of the school district, which serves approximately 35,000 Pre-K-12 students and employs over 5,500 staff. Gothard launched the SPPS Achieves strategic plan in December 2018 to set aspirational and attainable goals for student achievement, guide decision-making, and focus the district’s efforts on long-term student outcomes. Gothard believes in the power of public education to foster relationships, build community, and inspire students to achieve beyond their highest expectations.
Melvin Carter is the 46th, and first African-American mayor of the City of Saint Paul. A fourth-generation Saint Paul resident and SPPS graduate, Mayor Carter leads with an unapologetic equity agenda. Since taking office in 2018, his accomplishments include raising the city’s minimum wage to $15/hour; tripling free programs in rec centers; eliminating late fines in public libraries; reestablishing an Affordable Housing Trust Fund; expanding immigrant and refugee support resources, and launching an Office of Financial Empowerment. One signature initiative is CollegeBound Saint Paul, Mayor Carter’s plan to start every child born in the city with a $50 College Savings Account.
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Keynote: Ánh-Hoa Thị Nguyễn
Great Hall
Ánh-Hoa Thị Nguyễn is a refugee, poet, community engagement artist, curator and educator. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Mills College in Oakland, California. Her writing has appeared in publications such as "Asian Pacific American Journal;“Troubling Borders: An Anthology of Art and Literature by Southeast Asian Women in the Diaspora”; “diaCRITICS,” a project of the Diasporic Vietnamese Artists Network; and the "Journal of Southeast Asian American Education and Advancement." Her most recent publication is a food essay titled “Buy 10 Get 1 Free! Open Letter to Bánh Mì Wanna Be’s” in “What We Hunger For: Refugee and Immigrant Stories about Food and Family” edited by Sun Yung Shin 신 선 영.
10:45-11:35 a.m.
Breakout #1
Houses 22 & 23, Great Hall
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Working Lunch
Food Trucks: El Burrito Mercado, Sumo Egg Rolls, Yum Yum - East Lot
12:45-1:35 p.m.
Breakout #2
Houses 22 & 23
1:50-2:40 p.m.
Breakout #3
Houses 22 & 23, Great Hall
2:45-3:30 p.m.
Collaborate & Connect
Houses 22 & 23, Great Hall
Breakout Session Descriptions
KEYNOTE DEEP DIVE - Great Hall This is an option during breakout session #1 only.
Join our keynote speaker in a deep dive conversation about their presentation. This is where you may ask them questions about specific details in their presentation, share what you do in your practice, or ask them for advice on CRI strategies to try in your classroom and school.
IT'S JUST WHAT WE DO - House 24, Breakout Rm #1 Liana Lingofelt, English Language Arts Teacher, Highland Park Senior High School
Liana will share ways she creates a classroom where culturally responsive instruction is a mindset that is integrated in all aspects of teaching and learning.
CREW, FOUNDATION OF OWL - House 23, Breakout Rm #2 Megan Hall, Secondary Science & Agriculture Teacher; Tim Leone-Getten, Secondary Spanish Teacher, Open World Learning (OWL)
Megan and Tim will talk about how Crew anchors OWL's school culture and provides opportunities for CRI, social-emotional learning, and academic advising, as well as a safe space where students experience multi-year connection and a refuge in their busy days.
LOVING WHO YOU TEACH MORE THAN WHAT YOU TEACH - House 22, Breakout Rm #3 Nancy Michael, Theater Arts Teacher, Highland Park Senior High School
Nancy's presentation will feature thought-provoking, experiential learning that focuses on who our students are and what can help educators form healthy, productive relationships with them.
ENGAGING EL STUDENTS THROUGH GROUP AND PARTNER WORK - House 23, Breakout Rm #4 Traci Buckle, EL Teacher, Como Park Senior High School
Traci will share activities, in the 8/2 block schedule, that use EL students' experiences from their collectivist cultures to facilitate learning, engage them in meaningful group and partner work, and assess their work.
HOW TO INCLUDE CRI IN PHYSICS--CIRCULAR MOTION AND INTERSECTION DESIGN - House 23, Breakout Rm #5 Samuel Ducatman, Physics, Physical Science, Astronomy Teacher, Como Park Senior High School
Sam will incorporate CRI in physical science by modeling how abstract concepts, such as the physics of circular motion, can connect to students' lives.
COLLABORATE & CONNECT - Great Hall Robyn Asher, Biology High School Teacher, Como Park Senior High School; Teacher on Special Assignment with the Office of Teaching and Learning; Charlotte Landreau, Office of Teaching and Learning
CRI work takes the proverbial village! This is a time for Expo attendees to connect with each other, debrief, or just take a breath. Robyn and Charlotte will also be available to talk with you about the 8/2 schedule if you are interested.
Lue Thao is the founder and director of Cypher Side Dance School. Originally born in Thailand, Lue has been raised in the East Side of Saint Paul for the majority of his life and graduated from Harding High School. Lue has been dancing for 18 years and is a member of Optimistic Crew and an NBA Timberwolves and WNBA Lynx performer since 2015. He has won over 20 dance competitions and performed in various events including Super Bowl 52 Halftime, Vanilla Ice I Love 90's Tour Performance, Tori Kelly Prince Tribute Concert, MPLS Mayor Jacob Frey Inauguration Party, and more!
Cypher Side was established in 2017 and currently teaches break, hip-hop, and K-pop dances to students ages three to adults. A “cypher” is an important hip-hop ritual in which dancers circle up and take turns dancing in the center, showcasing their personal style, and building community through mutual encouragement. With the belief that the performing arts can help young people build lifelong confidence, strength, and grit, Cypher Side's mission is to welcome young people into a healthy and diverse community and inspire them to learn and perform different dance styles.
10:15-11:15 a.m.
Breakout #1
Houses 22 & 23, Great Hall
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Working Lunch
Food Trucks: Northern Fires Pizza, Sumo Egg Rolls, Yum Yum - East Lot
12:30-1:20 p.m.
Breakout #2
Houses 22 & 23
1:35-2:25 p.m.
Breakout #3
Houses 22 & 23, Great Hall
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Collaborate & Connect
Houses 22 & 23, Great Hall
3:15 p.m.
Cypher Side Performance
Outside Main Entrance of Washington Technology Magnet
Breakout Session Descriptions
STORYMAPS--TELLING DIGITAL STORIES - House 24, Breakout Rm #1 Rebecca Biel, Office of Teaching and Learning; Stephanie McCleerey, Social Studies Teacher at Central Senior High School; Emily Yang, Social Studies Teacher at Harding Senior High School
Rebecca, Stephanie, and Emily will introduce and demonstrate how they use StoryMaps, an engaging platform where learners can choose their base map layer and then add content and multimedia to create their own StoryMap.
CONVERSATIONS IN THE CLASSROOM CAN HAPPEN! - House 23, Breakout Rm #2 Jamie Williams, Social Studies Teacher, Capitol Hill Magnet
Jamie will give examples of how to build capacity for conversation as a daily practice and how to incorporate this skillset into classroom assignments and tasks.
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING IN NATURE - House 22, Breakout Rm #3 Joshua Leonard, Belwin Outdoor Science Education Director
Josh will lead a courageous conversation around connecting kids to nature, addressing the disproportionality of access to nature in BIPOC communities, and how that can change the outcome for our students.
THE INTERSECTION OF CULTURALLY RELEVANT INSTRUCTION & CRITICAL ETHNIC STUDIES: DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION - House 23, Breakout Rm #4 Mouakong Vue and Xue Xiong, Office of Teaching and Learning
Mouakong and Xue will share the overview and framework of the Critical Ethnic Studies course and its intersection with Culturally Relevant Instruction to collectively heal, transform and strengthen our communities.
EMPOWERING STUDENT VOICE THROUGH DANCE - Great Hall Lue Thao, Director of Cypher Side Dance School, and Students
Cypher Side student dancers will get attendees up and moving to upbeat music while learning the basics of hip-hop and break dance, illustrating student confidence and engagement when their passions are channeled.
INVITING FAMILIES INTO THE CLASSROOM - House 22, Breakout Rm #6 Majd Abualreesh, First Grade Teacher, Groveland Park Elementary School
Majd will share how she integrates family engagement, through the sharing of cultural holidays, with class content.
COLLABORATE & CONNECT - Great Hall Robyn Asher, Biology High School Teacher, Como Park Senior High School; Teacher on Special Assignment with the Office of Teaching and Learning; Charlotte Landreau, Office of Teaching and Learning
CRI work takes the proverbial village! This is a time for Expo attendees to connect with each other, debrief, or just take a breath. Robyn and Charlotte will also be available to talk with you about the 8/2 schedule if you are interested.
Dr. Artika R. Tyner is a passionate educator, poet, author, sought-after speaker and advocate for justice. She is the founder of Planting People Growing Justice Press and Bookstore. In recognition of her leadership and service, she is the recipient of more than two dozen awards that include: Women in Business, American Small Business Champion, International Educator Citizen, and American Bar Association Difference Makers. Dr. Tyner is a 2022 Bush Fellow.
She has been featured in a variety of media outlets. She is a prolific, award-winning author of adult and children’s books that include: “Amazing Africa: A to Z” and “The Inclusive Leader: Taking Intentional Action for Justice and Equity.” In support of her philanthropic efforts, she created the Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute, a nonprofit organization committed to promoting literacy and diversity in books.
10:20-11:10 a.m.
Breakout #1
Houses 22 & 23, Great Hall
11:20 a.m.-1 p.m.
Working Lunch / Collaborate & Connect
Food Trucks: El Burrito Mercado, Pizza Karma, Sumo Egg Rolls, Youniverse Food Waffles - East Lot
1-1:50 p.m.
Breakout #2
Houses 22 & 23, Great Hall
2-3 p.m.
Closing Keynote: Kevin Yang
Great Hall
Kevin Yang is a Hmong American multidisciplinary artist from the Twin Cities with a focus on spoken word poetry and documentary filmmaking. He currently works at Twin Cities PBS as an education engagement specialist and is a board member with Street Stops and Mountain Tops. He finds most of his artistic inspiration unraveling his Hmong American experience with others.
3-3:30 p.m.
Mini-Deep Dive with Kevin Yang / Collaborate & Connect
Great Hall / Houses 22 & 23
Breakout Session Descriptions
KEYNOTE DEEP DIVE - Great Hall This is only an option during breakout session #1 and the mini-breakout at 3:00.
Join our keynote speaker in a deep dive conversation about their presentation. This is where you may ask them questions about specific details in their presentation, share what you do in your practice, or ask them for advice on CRI strategies to try in your classroom and school.
CREATING CULTURALLY RELEVANT AUTHENTIC LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN BIOLOGY CLASS - House 24, Breakout Rm #1 Robyn Asher, Biology High School Teacher, Como Park Senior High School; Teacher on Special Assignment with the Office of Teaching and Learning
Robyn will model information processing stages of input, elaboration, and application in a neuroscience lesson by using students' oral traditions, metaphors and analogies.
COLLABORATING WITH STUDENTS TO BUILD COMMUNITY - House 23, Breakout Rm #2 Chantelle Kley, Grades 7 & 8 Special Education Teacher, Farnsworth Aerospace Magnet Upper
Middle school students will share personal stories of ways educators use culturally responsive and restorative practices to create community and shape school and classroom culture that are inclusive and relational.
WAYS TO DISRUPT MICROAGGRESSIONS - House 22, Breakout Rm #3 Boonmee Yang, 4th Grade EL Teacher, Mississippi Creative Arts
Boonmee will examine microaggressions and how to identify and disrupt them to create a positive learning environment.
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION - House 23, Breakout Rm #4 Elizabeth Dawley, SUTR Teaching Resident 1st-3rd; Rachel Otter, E1 Teacher, Nokomis Montessori North
Liza and Rachel will share restorative practices that will maintain and repair relationships in the classroom community.
CONNECTING TO THE COMMUNITY - House 23, Breakout Rm #5 Jaclyn O'Brien, Math Teacher, Battle Creek Middle School
Jaclyn will share ways to engage students by bringing community connections and students' lives into classroom lessons for deeper and more meaningful learning.
COLLABORATE & CONNECT - Great Hall Robyn Asher, Biology High School Teacher, Como Park Senior High School; Teacher on Special Assignment with the Office of Teaching and Learning; Charlotte Landreau, Office of Teaching and Learning
CRI work takes the proverbial village! This is a time for Expo attendees to connect with each other, debrief, or just take a breath. Robyn and Charlotte will also be available to talk with you about the 8/2 schedule if you are interested.
