A national authority on urban education and a panel of local leaders will explore ways for children and adults from diverse backgrounds to improve literacy and build a sense of community on Monday, Nov. 6, at the University of Rochester.
Keynote speaker Kris Gutierrez, associate professor in the Division of Urban Schooling at the University of California at Los Angeles, will discuss how to create effective learning communities and then take questions and comments from the audience and invited panelists. The program, which will be held from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the May Room of Wilson Commons on the University's River Campus, is presented by the Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development with the support of more than a dozen community organizations.
The program will examine topics that address issues of literacy in diverse social and economic settings and their impact on educational systems and society. Gutierrez is a member of several national academic advisory boards, the author of numerous journal articles and a regular columnist for the Los Angeles Times.
Community leaders who will react to comments by the guest speaker are Barbara Cutrona, vice president for training and development, Industrial Management Council; Naomi Erdmann, literacy specialist at Nazareth College of Rochester; Cecilia Griffin Golden, chief academic officer of the Rochester City School District; Margaret Keller-Cogan, assistant superintendent of the Greece Central School District; and Julio Vasquez, executive director of the Ibero-American Action League. Former City Council member Ruth Scott will moderate the discussion.
Registration is required and includes a box supper. The cost for full-time students is $30; $46 for members of sponsoring groups; and $49 for others. The deadline for registration is Oct. 21. For information, call the Warner School's Office of Professional Development at (585) 275-7833.