ACSA and the Solano County Office of Education will host the Excellence Through Equity Conference on March 5-6 in Napa. The venue is the Embassy Suites in Napa Valley and the conference features top speakers and networking opportunities, as well as sessions on timely equity topics. Excellence Through Equity is essential for all school site administrators and their teams, said Solano County Superintendent and conference planning committee member Lisette Estrella-Henderson. “Our schools are microcosms of our communities. Implicit bias, racism, and the challenges our young people face in our communities don’t stop when they enter our classroom doors,” she said. “This conference will offer an incredible opportunity to hear from experts in the field, such as Pedro Noguera, on how schools are influenced by external conditions and how we can create inclusive learning environments in which students have the opportunity to learn, thrive and receive needed supports every step along the way.” Here are five reasons why Excellence Through Equity should be at the top of your list of events to attend as a California educator: 1. Get access to strategies for equity in the classroom Excellence Through Equity connects attendees with experts in the equity field who have experience implementing tools in the classroom that improve access to college and careers for all students. Even if you’re a novice to equity issues, this event will provide everything you need to know about how to improve equitable outcomes at your school. 2. Create new professional networks At its heart, Excellence Through Equity is about networking. Participants can expect to meet other teams invested in equity work and make those connections needed to become leaders in equity. The Thursday night reception is another opportunity to mingle with fellow attendees and connect over their common goal — creating equitable systems for all students. 3. Be inspired by keynote speakers Keynote speakers Dr. Pedro Noguera and Dr. Lisa Williams are equity champions with years of experience in equity research and implementation. Just look at their credentials: Noguera is the distinguished professor of education at the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies and faculty director for the Center for the Transformation of Schools at UCLA, and Williams is the executive director of Equity and Cultural Proficiency for the Baltimore County Public School System. With their presentations, attendees can expect to gain insight into equity practices and inspiration from those who have done the work and believe in it. 4. Move from equity awareness to equity in action Excellence Through Equity features a panel presentation on a key topic in equity –– putting it in action. Jason Willis of WestEd will moderate a panel of illustrious education leaders: Superintendent Lisette Estrella-Henderson, Solano County Office of Education; Elisha Smith Arrillaga, executive director of Ed Trust-West; Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Leslie Beatson, Benicia Unified School District; Principal Ron Thomas, Vacaville High School; Superintendent Audra Pittman, Bayshore Elementary School District; and Alicia Montgomery, executive director of the Center for Powerful Public Schools. 5. Join engaging and interactive breakout sessions Excellence Through Equity features breakout sessions on issues affecting schools today. Achieving equity from the inside-out, family and community engagement and implementing a STEAM (Science, Technology, Arts, Engineering and Math) environment are just a few of the topics highlighted at the conference. If you want to learn more about the California English Learner Roadmap or how to create a “Wellness Day” at your school site to promote student wellness, this is the conference for you.

What: Two days of networking and discussions on implementing equity in the classroom When: March 5-6 Cost: $399 Register: