Education Equity

The word “equity” is often bandied about in education circles, but what does it really mean? Let’s delve into equity in education – what it is, why all students deserve it and how school counselors can set their schools and districts on a path toward true equity. Rodney Robinson, 2019 Teacher of the Year, shares practical solutions to help end education inequities and energizes and empowers school counselors to make a lasting difference in their schools.

Owning Your Voice

For award-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa, it was a lesson taught to her by her mom, who stood up to a burly immigration agent to make sure all of her children were admitted into the United States from Mexico. No matter what you’re up against, own your voice, she said. It’s an example Hinojosa has used throughout her career – often she was the only Latina in a newsroom and wasn’t afraid to speak her mind – and teaches to her students at Barnard College, where she is the school’s first journalist in residence. It’s also the lesson that led her from an intern to a full-time journalist at NPR to CNN to PBS to her own national media company, Futuro Media. In this insightful keynote, Hinojosa shares her deeply personal story of how being different from everyone else can be your greatest strength by using your own narrative. “In our worst moments, we have to imagine that we can, in fact, take hold of our own power and eat our fear … Use your own voice, your own narrative and the power that you have,” she says.

Maria Hinojosa is the anchor and executive producer of the Peabody-Award-winning show “Latino USA,” distributed by NPR, as well as co-host of “In The Thick,” Futuro Media’s award-winning political podcast. Hinojosa has informed millions about the changing cultural and political landscape in America and abroad. She is also a contributor to the long-running, award-winning news program “CBS Sunday Morning” and a frequent guest on MSNBC.

Gavin Grimm is an internationally recognized trans-gender rights activist, writer and speaker. As a ninth-grader in rural Virginia, Grimm took on his school board when it banned him from using the boys’ restrooms. Grimm’s case was a six-and-a-half-year roller coaster that made it all the way to the U.S Supreme Court twice before concluding with a landmark victory for transgender youth in June 2021.

A Few Kind Words: How School Counselors Can Support Transgender Students
Sometimes a few kind words from a supportive adult can make a world of difference to a trans or nonbinary youth. Hear about the impact Gavin Grimm's school counselors had on him when he was in the midst of the public spotlight and an ongoing battle with his school district, as well as further ways school counselors can support trans and nonbinary students.

SaulPaul is a Grammy-Nominated Musician with a Message. He has presented three TEDx Talks, performed at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and been featured on America’s Got Talent. His life story of transitioning from tragedy to triumph has been told on screen via the documentary "Tower to Tower" as well as via his memoir "Be The Change."  

SaulPaul currently serves as the Make It Movement’s first official ambassador and Global Changemaker. His responsibilities include empowering one million young people with the tools, skills and inspiration to find their path to economic freedom and postsecondary success.

Whether via art, entrepreneurship or community service, SaulPaul is committed to #BeTheChange. 

Aly Murray is the founder and executive director of UPchieve, an edtech nonprofit that provides free, 24/7 online tutoring and college counseling to low-income high school students in the U.S. For her work on UPchieve, Murray has been featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in Education (2021) and honored as a Roddenberry Fellow (2021). In her free time, she volunteers as a college coach with Breakthrough New York to help other low-income, BIPOC students succeed.