Teaching for Justice: Communities of Care

The third Teaching for Justice conference returns in 2026 with the theme, Communities of Care. Following two successful years of bringing educators together to build a network for knowledge, skills-sharing, and addressing the well-being of students, this year we focus on understanding how Asian American Studies pedagogy and practice can teach and embody care in classrooms and communities. This year’s conference will amplify the work of educators, researchers, and community organizers by:  

• broadening knowledge bases through active and empathetic listening to diverse experiences to foster connections and understanding; 
• providing models of culturally- sustaining pedagogy that celebrates and honors community funds of knowledge;  
• building community and collective wisdom with advocates at different touchpoints of the education system who share the goal of a more inclusive, humanizing, liberatory, and joy-filled K-12 education; 
• centering youth involvement and youth voices to highlight their perspectives as integral partners in shaping inclusive educational practices in sustaining communities of care;
• promoting and protecting the physical and mental wellness of our community. 

Day 1 will be an all-virtual format and Day 2 is in-person at the CSU Fullerton.  Recordings of select sessions will be available to registered participants. 

Guiding Questions:

• How can we participate in and build caring communities in education?
• How can we use collaboration and collective wisdom in our teaching practices to create inclusive, supportive, and joy-filled K-12 communities that foster learning?
• How can we meaningfully involve youth as partners and change-makers in shaping caring, inclusive educational communities?