Presented by Joseph Wise, Ed.D., CEO, Acceleration Academies (IL); Earl Mowatt, Ph.D., Vice President of Education, onePULSE Foundation; Danielle Jones, Teacher and onePULSE Foundation scholarship recipient, Orange County Public Schools (FL); Scott Frauenheim, CEO, Distinctive Schools; and Jennifer L. Ferrari, Ed.D., CEO and President, Education Research and Development Institute (ERDI)

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As we begin Pride Month, join this edWebinar to gain ideas and best practices and strategies to educate, inspire, and lead with an LGBTQ+ lens as part of your classroom, organization, or district belonging and equity work. Our coalition needs to remain strong as educators across the country work to find ways to be inclusive and supportive, especially when states and lawmakers are making it harder and harder to do so in classrooms and across education systems.

We reflect on the tragedy of the Pulse nightclub and the trauma that ensued as 49 lives were taken in the second-largest attack on the United States after 9/11. We remember those angels as we remind ourselves of the importance of our LGBTQ+ youth, who need our constant support, trust, and partnership in this world—today and always. The discussion centers on creating opportunities for educators, youth, and families to access resources and to be aware of advocacy and support groups on campuses.

This recorded edWebinar is of interest to PreK-12 teachers, librarians, school and district leaders, and education solution providers.

About the Presenters

Dr. Joseph Wise is the co-founder and board chairman for Distinctive Schools, a network of high-performing public, K-8 charter schools within Illinois and Michigan. Dr. Wise is also the co-founder and senior advisor to Acceleration Academies, providing strategic support, advocacy, and partnership to expand their efforts to reengage students nationwide. He also serves as board chairman for the Education Research and Development Institute (ERDI) and is the co-founder and board chairman of Atlantic Research Partners. Dr. Wise is a former Executive Vice President and Chief Education Officer with Edison Learning, Inc. and previously served as Director of Organizational Development for the Disney organization. Before Distinctive Schools, executive roles, and other founding efforts, Dr. Wise served as the Superintendent of Schools for the Duval County Public Schools, Christina School District, Wilmington, and others throughout his tenure. He holds his Ed.D. in educational leadership from the University of Florida.

Dr. Earl Mowatt is the Vice President of Education for the onePULSE Foundation, a philanthropic organization established to honor the victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting. He has had measurable success in developing programs that positively impact lives, including an intervention program that yielded a 30% increase in individuals seeking help for HIV prevention services. With a Ph.D. in sociology, he strives to connect academic scholarship to communities for social change. Dr. Mowatt serves as a mentor, a community outreach advocate, and a social justice activist.

A born-and-raised Floridian and University of Central Florida alum, Danielle Jones has been a proud educator for over 14 years. With the majority of her teaching experience in working with underserved and diverse populations, building relationships and connections with students, families, and the community has always been a main focus of hers. Working with the Office of Minority Achievement for Orange County Public Schools gave Danielle an opportunity to collaborate with like-minded professionals looking to level the playing field for all students. She is proud to be one of 49 recipients of a scholarship offered by the onePULSE Foundation this year.

Scott Frauenheim has dedicated his career to building positive learning environments for students and educators and is a recognized leader of transformational work in charter schools. Through his work, Scott creates a shared vision, enables leadership, and empowers teachers. These attributes support schools through transformative change in implementing a nationally recognized personalized learning model—a model that has helped close the achievement gap through exceptional student growth and achievement. His experience with instructional and academic leadership, school operations, finance, technology, fundraising, and development efforts have enhanced his ability to oversee a variety of important components within the Distinctive Schools model.

Jennifer Ferrari is the CEO & President of the Education Research and Development Institute (ERDI), which convenes district and industry leaders to collaboratively tackle top problems of practice and optimize product innovation for new solutions that support PK-12 education. Jennifer regularly engages in national dialogue with thought leaders from across the US and is able to validate and verify emerging trends in education. Prior to her current role, she served as the VP & Chief Schools Officer of an innovative public education management organization nationally recognized for its trailblazing work in personalized learning. Jennifer led the organization’s strategic planning process, supported leadership development, and oversaw the comprehensive academic model. She has also served as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent in the northern suburbs of Chicago. With 25 years of rich public education experience, Jennifer has strong expertise in leadership development, change management, curriculum & instruction, personalized learning, dual language, and strategic planning. Jennifer earned her doctorate in Ed Leadership and Policy Studies from Loyola University in Chicago.

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