From November 16-18, the National Summer Learning Association welcomed over 500 attendees for three days of informative and exciting sessions featuring education influencers, researchers, journalists, and award-winning program leaders who shared their knowledge on emerging program practices, along with policy and research shaping the out-of-school time field during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Moderators:
- John B. King, Jr., former U.S Secretary of Education and president and CEO of The Education Trust (Day 1)
- Reggie Love, former personal aide to President Obama and NSLA Board vice-chair (Day 2)
- Ericka Miller, partner at Isaacson, Miller and NSLA Board member (Day 3)
- Bela Shah Spooner, program director, education and expanded learning, Institute for Youth, Education, and Families, National League of Cities (Day 3)
Day 1, Monday, November 16, noon – 2:00 p.m.
2020 Summer Learning Awards Presentation & Advancing Equity and Quality Learning Experiences During the Summer Months
We began day one with a celebration of NSLA’s National Summer Learning Award Winners, presented by the New York Life Foundation. Program leaders from these exemplary summer programs shared how they continually shape positive outcomes for young people even in the midst of a pandemic. During the afternoon session, wetook a deeper dive into equity in education and the essential role of quality summer and afterschool programs.
Featured Guest Speakers:
- John B. King, Jr., former U.S Secretary of Education and president and CEO of The Education Trust;
- Marlyn Torres, corporate vice president, New York Life and senior program officer, New York Life Foundation;
- Eduardo Caballero, executive director and co-founder of EDMO;
- Kurtis Donnelly, chief operating officer, Young Audiences/Arts for Learning Maryland;
- Kristina Leonardi, manager, Mizzen by Mott;
- Tammy Briant Spratling, chief executive officer, Community Tampa Bay;
- Jim Quinn, Board Chair, NSLA, and former President of Tiffany and Company; and
- Chrissy Word, education director, Education at City Parks Foundation.
Day 2, Tuesday, November 17, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
America at a Crossroads – 2020 Elections Debrief and Youth Policy Recommendations for a New Congress
On Day 2 of the Summer Solutions Leadership Series, we examined America’s reckoning on race, health, education, and economics and the bold strategies critical to the nation’s recovery from this pandemic. In part one of the discussion, leading political and education reporters dissected the state of our union and how the election results will shape a new educational landscape for policymakers at the federal level and communities everywhere. During part two of the discussion, NSLA released its new 2020 State of Summer Policy Snapshot and national leaders shared insights on critical legislation and collective actions that will help shape brighter futures for our most vulnerable communities and young people.
Featured Guest Speakers:
- Reggie Love, former personal aide to President Obama and NSLA Board vice-chair;
- Jodi Grant, executive director of the Afterschool Alliance;
- Karen Pittman, co-founder, president and CEO of The Forum for Youth Investment;
- Billy Shore, founder and executive chair of Share Our Strength;
- Erik Robelen, deputy director, Education Writers Association;
- Valerie Strauss, education reporter for The Washington Post;
- Andrew Ujifusa, assistant editor for Education Week; and
- Joseph Williams, senior editor at U.S. News & World Report.
Day 3, Wednesday, November 18, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Race, Equity and Community Learning Hubs in Education
On Day 3 of the Summer Solutions Leadership Series, national community leaders and education experts engaged in a Real Talk on Race and Education, then took a deep dive into actions leaders at all levels can take to advance education resource equity and to leverage community assets for student success. The National League of Cities also shared its newly released report, Communities as Learning Hubs, and our panel illuminated collective impact in action.
Featured Guest Speakers:
- Ericka Miller, partner at Isaacson, Miller and NSLA Board member;
- Bela Shah Spooner, program director, education and expanded learning, Institute for Youth, Education, and Families, National League of Cities;
- Susan Benton, president and CEO of Urban Libraries Council;
- Winnie Chan, Ph.D., director of P-12 research, The Education Trust;
- Phil Ginsburg, general manager, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department;
- Megan Russell Johnson, program officer, W.K. Kellogg Foundation;
- Jason King, senior vice president, corporate communications and marketing, Clear Channel Outdoor;
- Jenny Lam, commissioner, San Francisco Unified School District;
- Natalie Randolph, director of Equity, Justice & Community, Sidwell Friends School;
- Linda Rodriguez, executive director in Global Philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase & Co;
- Khalilah Slater Harrington, chief program officer, Family League of Baltimore;
- Jonathan Smith, interim commissioner, New York State Division of Human Rights;
- Kristine Stratton, chief executive officer, The National Recreation and Park Association;
- Dr. Maria Su, executive director, Department of Children, Youth and Their Families (City and County of San Francisco); and
- Sunia Zaterman, executive director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities.