Event Description
Information about the Summit schedule, keynote address, speakers, breakout session options, and the ability to build your own agenda is available to registered participants on the Event Homepage.
Keynote address: Dr. Xylecia Fynn-Aikins
Integrating Transformative Social Emotional Learning to Create Conditions for Students and Adults to Thrive
This interactive professional learning experience will focus on how Transformative Social Emotional Learning can be integrated in K12 education settings to create conditions for all students and adults to thrive. Oregon’s Transformative SEL Framework describes the conditions that transform learning environments to support students’ social, emotional, and academic needs and interests. Transformative SEL offers an approach that affirms all forms of identities and abilities through honoring individual and community backgrounds and lived experiences. In this learning session participants will deepen their understanding of how Transformative SEL lives within the ecosystem of supports for mental health and well being. Participants will engage their own social and emotional learning as they reflect on how Transformative SEL creates conditions to nurture and sustain the work they are already doing aligned with the five guiding principles of Oregon’s Transformative SEL Framework: Culturally Responsive, Community Responsive, Strengths Based, Trauma-Informed, and Grounded in Neuroscience and the Science of Brain Development. Through a strengths-based approach, members will consider individual and systemic protective factors that enhance and promote health and well-being. Newly developed Transformative SEL tools, strategies, and resources designed to support integrated practice will be shared. This session will be Interactive, Insightful, and Inspirational.
Dr. Xylecia Fynn Aikins, a student of students, is a member of the Standards and Instruction Support Team in the Office of Teaching, Learning, and Assessment at the Oregon Department of Education. She serves as the Social Emotional Learning Education Specialist. With over 25 years of experience in education she has supported various contexts and communities. Prior to joining the Oregon Department of Education she was a member of the Equity, Access, and Engagement department in Hillsboro School District in Hillsboro, Oregon. During her tenure in Hillsboro School District she served in various roles at both school and district levels, including Student Success Coach, Behavioral Interventionist, Student Dean, Elementary Universal Supports TOSA, and Secondary Universal Supports TOSA. She is a former classroom teacher of 18 years in Atlanta Public Schools, Atlanta, Georgia, where she also championed Social Emotional Learning, STEM initiatives, Academic Parent Teaching Teams, and mentored pre-service teachers. As a cultural ambassador and visiting educator, Dr. Fynn served schools and communities in Nagano, Japan and Ghana, West Africa with attentiveness to cultural and community responsiveness. She maintains an ongoing commitment to Transformative Social Emotional Learning, culturally responsive practices, student voice, authentic professional learning, and restorative practices. She approaches her work by cultivating relationships, practicing curiosity, exercising ongoing critical self-reflection, and implementing practices that elevate shared humanity and collective wisdom. Dr. Fynn is a vocalist and musician. She most enjoys exploring life’s possibilities while traveling with her awesome husband and three children.
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Accommodations: We strive to make our events accessible and inclusive to participants of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. Live captioning will be enabled for all sessions. If you anticipate needing additional accommodations, such as an interpreter, please note this in the event pre-survey or reach out to the event contact.
About Northwest Regional Education Service District: Northwest Regional ESD is the largest of Oregon’s 19 education service districts. We serve students, educators, child care providers and families living in Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties. Our staff members work collaboratively with school districts and other educational partners to deliver quality, cost-effective programs and services including special education, technology, professional development, school improvement and operational support. Our vision is that every student is educated, equipped and inspired to achieve their full potential and enrich their communities. Learn more at nwresd.org.
