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When the world shifted to online teaching and learning, educational and technological equity became a critical issue for both students and teachers. This great need led College of Education Associate Dean Dr. Rebecca Bustamante and faculty Dr. Jessica Pandya to spearhead an all-day conference focused on these vital issues. “Back in the beginning of April, instructional technology needs and calls for racial and tech equity were coming to a crescendo. Yet at that time, few people were exploring the intersections of educational technology and equity within frameworks of culturally relevant and responsive teaching,” shares Dr. Bustamante. 

Speaking directly to the College of Education’s mission and strategic priorities, the free, virtual conference was organized for area PK-12 teachers. Conference sessions created space for teachers to share tech tools and strategies through an equity-minded lens. A simple idea of creating sessions for teachers by teachers created a framework for learning and discussion amongst participants. Dr. Pandya shared that the conference was meant, “to offer a space for local teachers to connect, learn from each other, and from some experts; to center conversations about equity in online spaces, and not just best practices…” Along with College of Education students and teachers from Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), sessions were also led by noted experts Dr. Sharla Berry of California Lutheran University and Dr. Vanessa Monterosa of LAUSD.

Dr. Bustamante offered, “In preparing future teachers and working with our community partners, it is essential that we combine these priorities as we, as a society, move into more teaching and learning in digital spaces. We must approach the development of robust online teaching skills with culturally relevant, equitable, and racially responsive practices. This is the only way we might adequately address the needs of PK-12 students moving forward and prepare them to be responsible, active digital citizens.”