About this Event
Join us for dinner as we celebrate Black excellence, create mentorship pathways for Black educators, and foreground strategies for navigating and resisting anti-Black racism in educational systems.
Cultivating Black Excellence in K-12 Education Symposium
This project is being created in partnership with Burnaby School District, SD41 and being funded through the UBC Black Excellence EDID Grant and will bring together Black teacher candidates (BTCs), educators, school leaders, community members, and allies for an evening of professional learning, networking, and community connection. The event aims to affirm and celebrate Black excellence in education while creating pathways for mentorship, and long-term support for Black educators in K–12 spaces. Teachers, school leaders, scholars, and community advocates will share their experiences, strategies for navigating systemic barriers, and offer pathways for Black thriving. Through keynote presentations, and conversation circles, participants will discuss transitioning into full time teaching careers for BTCs, Black flourishing, anti-Black racism, culturally sustaining pedagogies, leadership pathways, and educator well-being.
British Columbia schools continue to experience a shortage of Black teachers. This scarcity necessitates establishing mentorship initiatives for BTCs and educators to navigate the complexities of the teaching profession. Our goal is to center Black voices and lived experiences, foregrounding strategies for navigating and resisting anti-Black racism in educational systems while highlighting joy, flourishing, resilience, and professional growth.
The project will foster a sense of community, belonging, and agency among BTCs and educators; support retention, and excellence of Black educators; and strengthen relationships between UBC, school districts, and Black educators.
Event venue & nearby stays
Burnaby Central Secondary School, 6011 Deer Lake Parkway, Burnaby, Canada
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