NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2024

The Space Between: How Progressive Education Fosters Curiosity, Creativity, Community and Connection

October 18- 20, 2024 (Pre-Conference Activities Available on October 17th & 18th)
Columbus, Ohio

Conference Theme & Call For Proposals

 

 

 

Featured Speakers

Since our 2007 conference in San Francisco, PEN has welcomed renowned speakers, each of whom has provided our attendees with the thought- provoking, inspiring, challenging and expansive experience of considering and re considering the meaning of progressive education, learning, creating, and teaching. Some of our past speakers have included scholars and artists, activists and advocates for progressive education:

Dr. Bettina Love, Sam Chaltain, Jesse Hagopian, Paul Gorski, Julian Randall, Sonia Nieto, The Honorable Justice Alan C. Page, Bill Ayers, Roland Barth, Augusta Souza Kappner, Dr. Pedro Nogera, Jonathan Kozol, Denisha Jones, Alfie Kohn, Deborah W. Meier, Linda Darling-Hammond, Francisco Guajardo, Curtis Acosta, Angela Davis, Jacqueline Woodson,  Andrea Davis Pinckney, James Lecesne, Diane Ravitch, Fania Davis and more!

 

 

 

 

Liza Talusan

Dr. Liza (LIE-zuh) Talusan (taLOOS-ahn) is an educator, speaker, leader, writer, coach and parent. With over 25 years of experience in PreK-graduate education, Liza is an engaging facilitator in conversations about diversity, anti-racism, bias, privilege and power and creates environments that allow for people to discuss these difficult topics openly. 

Dr. Talusan has been invited to more than 375 organizations across the country and internationally to facilitate dialogue groups, workshops, strategic planning, change management, and community focused sessions. 

Liza is the recipient of numerous awards including “Best 40 Under 40”; NASPA Region I Mid-Level Professional Award; NASPA APIKC VIP Award; Asian Women for Health’s Peer Leader Award; Promise in Action Mentoring Nominee; Network for Equity, Excellence in Education Award; the REAPA (AERA) Dissertation of the Year Award; the Harriet Buescher Lawrence Prize from Connecticut College; The Early Career Award (REAPA); the YMCA Leadership Award; and a number of institutional grants. 

She earned her Bachelor degree from Connecticut College; Masters of Arts from New York University; Ph.D. from University of Massachusetts Boston; Certificate in Human Resources; and her PCC Coaching Credentials from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching. Liza is currently a faculty member in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Massachusetts Boston where she teaches courses on leadership and anti-racism.

Liza has been a guest on a number of podcasts focused on educational equity and is the new co-host for the podcast Teaching While White. Liza’s book, “The Identity Conscious Educator: Building habits and skills for more inclusive schools”,published by Solution Tree Press, is the 2023 Gold Medal Recipient of IPPY Awards.

Liza’s Top 5 StrengthsQuest Themes are Achiever, Maximizer, Discipline, Activator, and Connectedness. She is someone who is driven, results-oriented, effective and organized, engages others to reach their potential, and practices the principles of community and human connection.

You can connect with Liza at her website.

Workshops