The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), in partnership with CalHope, hosted their inaugural two-day Equity and Wellbeing Conference on May 16 and 17. The free conference was at capacity and focused on empowering L.A. County educators with resources for greater equity in classrooms and highlighting the importance of wellness and the wellbeing of educators and students.

The conference had a variety of powerful keynote speakers that talked about the need to embrace equity, diversity and inclusion in our schools. The conference also had a reflective message that encouraged attendees to look inward to the type of educator we want to be and the educator our students need. Of the 40+ percent of conference attendees who completed the feedback survey 98 percent agreed that they left the conference enlightened, motivated, inspired and better equipped to serve students. The conference keynote speakers included:

• Dr. Pedro Antonio Noguera
• Rev. Dr. Bryant T. Marks
• Michelle MiJung Kim
• Sonia Nazario
• Manjusha P. Kulkarni

Across the two-day conference over 35 workshops were hosted ranging from culturally responsive STEAM education to anti-LGBTQ+ bias training to wellness activities which included therapy pets with Paws to Share as well as a sound bath. The conference brought together educators from across L.A. County and served as a moment to connect, network and gain insight into new perspectives in education.

The conference had many sponsors which included CalHope SEL, the Greater L.A. Education Foundation, California Credit Union, Arizona State University, Innive K12 360°, TeachFX, Kooth, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF), Los Angeles Community College District, Aldar, Lakeshore, Lexia, Elevo, Universal Publishing, Wayfinder, Maxim, Little Bit Learning, Kid-Grit, Poieto and Grand Canyon University. The conference was also supported through federal and state ESSR funds.