Inspired Teaching to build Empathy, Academic Knowledge, and Deeper Understanding

Join the leaders of two internationally acclaimed organizations, Roots of Empathy and Center for Inspired Teaching, to learn cutting edge techniques for sparking curiosity, building empathy, and deepening academic understanding in students of all ages. This 100% engaging and interactive session is for teachers, school and district leaders, parents, policymakers, and everyone interested in helping children thrive. Mary Gordon, Founder and President of Roots of Empathy, is an award-winning social entrepreneur, educator, best-selling author, parenting expert, and child advocate, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Aleta Margolis, Founder and President of Center for Inspired Teaching, is an award-winning social entrepreneur, teacher-educator, and former public school teacher who has taught young children, middle schoolers, court-involved high school students, and undergraduate and graduate students. 

Roots of Empathy has reached over 1.2 million children around the world with an evidence-based classroom program that has shown significant effect in reducing levels of aggression/bullying among school children by nurturing emotional literacy and increasing empathy. Participants will get a bird’s eye view of the mechanism at play when an infant and parent from the community are adopted by a classroom. Students are guided in following all domains of baby’s development and over the 27 classes discover their own unique temperament traits while strengthening their mental health and ability to connect to themselves and others.

Center for Inspired Teaching was named a worldwide Champion of Learning Through Play by the Lego Foundation, and has taught educators in the United States, India, Myanmar, South Africa, and Ukraine. Participants will experience Inspired Teaching's improvisation-based, whole-body approach to teaching that combines rigor and joy. Prepare to be 100% engaged – intellectually, emotionally and physically – as you learn strategies for building community and school connectedness; and learn to advocate for a school experience that prioritizes engagement and curiosity for all students.