Day 1 (In-Person) 2022 BU Wheelock Spring Forum: Examining how teacher workforce policies shape an equity-centered education

Teachers are undeniably key to student success, but their daily, individual decisions and actions are inextricably shaped by a much larger system of decisions at the national, state and district level. Whether deciding to become a teacher in the first place, choosing which school to teach at, how to spend time once in the classroom, or whether to stay at all – each of these questions is influenced by a broader context of policies governing the educator workforce. But now more than ever, particularly with the pandemic-era strain being felt in our classrooms, it is critical that we ask: are our teacher workforce policies disrupting or perpetuating the persistent, systemic inequities plaguing the U.S. education system?

This Spring (March 31st and April 1st) join Boston University’s Wheelock College of Education and Human Development and the Wheelock Educational Policy Center for the 2022 Wheelock Spring Forum where we will discuss the ways that policy-relevant, partner-driven research can enhance our understanding of how various policies impact the diversity and quality of the teacher workforce. During the two-day event, we will engage with current students, BU Wheelock alumni, faculty researchers as well as national and state education leaders to examine the research and policy implications in two key areas:

The program will balance research highlights from the BU Wheelock community, in-depth conversations with teachers and policymakers about possible implications and commentary from a network of national leaders.

Some featured speakers throughout the event include:

• Roberto Rodriguez, Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development at the U.S. Department of Education
• Kate Walsh, President, National Council on Teacher Quality
• Juliana Urtubey, 2021 National Teacher of the Year and Special Education teacher from Las Vegas, Nevada
• Jeff Riley, Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
• Jessica Tang, President, Boston Teachers Union

…with more announced soon!