Keynote Speaker: Ayanna Cooper, Ed.D.

VATESOL is excited to welcome Dr. Ayanna Cooper as this year's keynote speaker!

Ayanna Cooper, Ed.D., is an educator, bestselling author, and advocate whose advocacy centers around linguistically diverse student populations. She is a U.S. Department of State English Language Specialist alumna, having served on projects in Kuwait and Brazil. Ayanna engages in real-talk storytelling to support leadership development for multilingual students, provides technical assistance to state and local education agencies, and teaches part-time at Howard University. Ayanna is the author of several publications including And Justice for ELs: A Leader’s Guide to Creating and Sustaining Equitable Schools, Black Immigrants in the United States; Essays on the Politics of Race, Language and Voice (co-editor), and as the founding editor of Language Magazine’s Pass the Mic series.

Schedule At A Glance

Friday, Sept. 27

6:00-8:00 p.m. Ticketed Networking Reception

Saturday, Sept. 28

7:30-8:00 a.m. Registration & Coffee Hour

8:00-9:00 a.m. Welcome & Keynote, Ayanna Cooper: "Civil Rights & The Survey: Making Meaning, Moving Mindsets"

9:00-9:30 a.m. Vendor Networking

9:30-12:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

12:30-2:00 p.m. Lunch on your own

2:00-5:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

5:00-5:30 p.m. Closing Session & Raffle