Teaching Toward a Sustainable Future Agenda

Saturday, July 20, 2019

8:00 a.m.

Early Bird Arrival + Breakfast –The Jay

Arrive early to learn about Global and Area Studies events and resources at the University of Kansas. Enjoy breakfast foods and light refreshments while socializing with colleagues from around the region.

9:00 a.m.

Welcome + Opening Session – The Jay

Opening remarks by Amanda Snider, Outreach and Program Coordinator of CEAS.

Icebreaker Activity: Explore Your Carbon Footprint

9:45 a.m.

Session 1: A Panel on Global Perspectives on Sustainability

In this session, you will learn about some global environmental issues and solutions from the following experts:

Dianne Daugherty, Education Program Coordinator for the Kansas Consortium for Teaching about Asia, Japanese Teacher in the Olathe Public School District

Luis Felipe Gómez Lomelí, PhD student in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Kansas

Ruth Heuertz Remmers, Fulbright Research Fellow

11:00 a.m.

Session 2: A Keynote Presentation “Let Our Powers Combine!: Teaching Toward a Sustainable Future”

In this keynote presentation, you will learn how to respond to student food insecurity; source free or reduced-cost materials from your community for projects and curricular units; recycle waste at your school; and teach about forgotten indigenous practices that are vital to our future.

Pantaleon Florez III, an educator and farmer at Maseualkualli Farms. Prior to returning to Kansas to pursue sustainable farming, he was an educator and urban farmer at Spiral Gardens Community Food Security Project while also working in the Oakland, CA school district. Before becoming a farmer, he taught ESL for six years in three different countries.

12:00 p.m.

Lunch + Documentary Screening of Plastics Are Forever

“Ocean Plastics research and activism mainly happens in the developed world,­ Europe and west coast USA in particular. And the relevance of many of the conversations are questionable as they are talking to the wrong people! The 5 biggest emitters of ocean plastics are in Asia (Vietnam, Thailand, China, the Philippines & Malaysia) ­countries and consumers that are part of the developing world. In a decade from now as Africa's populations continue to explode, its likely African nations will be on this leader-board.” (Runtime 20 min.)

1:15 p.m.

A Junkyard Orchestra: Making Music with Repurposed Materials by Amado Espinoza & Karen Lisondra

In this final session, Amado Espinoza teams up with his wife, theatre-artist Karen Lisondra, for a didactic workshop and assemblies meant to inspire curiosity and respect for world cultures, stimulate creativity, and promote a sense of togetherness through music in the classroom and beyond. Amado and Karen’s Junkyard Orchestra cultivates an innate ability to explore, invent and create, preparing students for a lifetime of critical thinking and problem solving. In the assembly format they compare and contrast the recycled instruments to native instruments, exploring human resourcefulness and world cultures throughout the ages. Junkyard Orchestra shows how musical instruments can be made out of practically anything.

2:30 p.m.

Developing a Plan of Action

Facilitated by Pantaleon Florez III, Dianne Daugherty, Luis Felipe Gómez Lomelí, and Aron Muci

Scholars and teacher educators from around the state will guide small groups to discuss issues and solutions for teaching toward a sustainable future. With colleagues and peers, develop a plan of action to recognize the diversity of your classroom, source materials for projects, and inspire the next generation to make a difference. 

3:30 p.m.

Small Group Presentations

4:00 p.m.

Closing Remarks + Evaluation + Group Photo