Let us dream conference 2020

LET US DREAM 2020 TRIENNIAL INTERNATIONAL VIRTUAL CONFERENCE Edited by Dr. Lijo Thomas Dr. Pauline Leonard Connecting Local Communities and Service Initiatives Through Global Networking 50+ Speakers | 15+ Universities | 50+ Community Service Organizations

LET US DREAM CONFERENCE 2020 TRIENNIAL INTERNATIONAL VIRTUAL CONFERENCE Connecting Local Communities and Service Initiatives Through Global Networking

Published by the LUD Publications Bengaluru, India © Let Us Dream, Bengaluru, India All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, transmitted, copied, or distributed in any mechanical, electronic form, or otherwise without the explicit written consent of the publisher.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS There are countless people to team members, entrusted with thank for their contribution to multiple administrator roles and both the success of the Let Us Dream responsibilities, the Let Us Dream 2020 Triennial International Virtual international virtual event would not Conference and the development have been possible. We are extremely of this book of proceedings. We are proud to have worked with them and deeply appreciative of the following wish to recognize each by name: people for their professionalism and Anita Eipe, David Selvaraj, Debra assistance in completing this book: Collett-O’Brien, Jimmy Manuel, Fraddy Mujuju for the many hours he Lisa Jungkamp, Shinto Joseph, and dedicated to transcribing the audio Unnati Hunjan. recordings of conference presenters; Revathi Siva Kumar for her expertise Other outstanding contributors and professional editing skills in the to the success of the conference preparation of this manuscript; and include the leaders of the twelve Santhosh Varghese for continually subcommittees, the coordinators and patiently updating the and the co-coordinators: We are manuscript based on our revisions. thankful for the commitment and passion of each: Education Without the collaborative Coordinator Amritha K and Co- leadership of the conference core Coordinator Elizabeth Anderson;

Health Coordinators Prettysha Curtis Also, we are forever grateful to and Asha Elisha and Co-Coordinator our five host universities and their Kim Brimhall; Social Coordinator leaders: President Leslie K. Guice, Uma Krishnan and Co-Coordinator Louisiana Tech University; President Sharon L. Custer; International Harvey G. Stenger, Binghamton Networking Committee Coordinator University; Vice Chancellor Fr. Unnati Hunjan and Co-Coordinator Abraham, V M., Christ (Deemed to Anusha Srinivasan Iyer; National be University); Chancellor Bernward Networking Committee Coordinator Robrecht, Catholic University of Roseline Gomes and Co-Coordinator Applied Science of North Rhine- Jasmine Sahni; Media and Marketing Westphalia; and President Richard Committee Coordinator Giselle Gallot, Grambling State University Fernandez and Co-Coordinator Nisha Shankar; Unsung Heroes Finally, we express a heartfelt thank Committee Coordinator Phinu you to our conference presenters, Jose and Co-Coordinator Jerome as well as to all of our committee B. Hallan; Registration Committee members and Let Us Dream partner Coordinator Sathish and Co- organizations for their participation Coordinator Mareena Mathew; in the planning, organization, and Technology Committee Coordinator implementation of the virtual Goutham Iyyappan and Co- conference. Coordinator Nikhil Pai; Cultural Committee Coordinator Purnananda Bhasker and Co-Coordinator Donald Paul; and Video Editing Committee Coordinator Anupa Gnanakan and Co-Coordinators Prarthana Prabhu and Abhimanyu Sing.

CONTENTS Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................... 3 Introduction..................................................................................................................... 8 Day 1 : Education Sector..............................................................................................12 Opening Address .......................................................................................................... 12 Opening Keynote ........................................................................................................ 14 Panel 1: Education Sector...........................................................................................23 Theme: Special Education and Online Curriculum Access Panel 2: Education Sector .......................................................................................... 41 Theme: Underserved Children and Distance-Learning Disparities Panel 3: Education Sector ..........................................................................................58 Theme: Holistic Learning and Psychosocial Development Unsung Heroes .............................................................................................................. 72 Closing Keynote............................................................................................................ 79 Closing Remarks...........................................................................................................86

Day 2: Health Sector .................................................................................................... 88 Opening Address ..........................................................................................................88 Opening Keynote ........................................................................................................ 91 Panel 1: Health Sector............................................................................................... 100 Theme: Mindfulness for Health Panel 2: Health Sector................................................................................................116 Theme: Mental Health Care and Resilience Panel 3: Health Sector............................................................................................... 135 Theme: Health Care Disparities Unsung Heroes .............................................................................................................151 Closing Keynote ......................................................................................................... 158 Closing Remarks.........................................................................................................163

Day 3: Social Sector.................................................................................................... 166 Opening Address ........................................................................................................166 Opening Keynote .......................................................................................................168 Panel 1: Social Sector ................................................................................................. 176 Theme: Critical Thinking and Information Literacy Panel 2: Social Sector..................................................................................................191 Theme: Impact of Coronavirus Pandemic on Community Response Services Panel 3: Social Sector..................................................................................................211 Theme: Animal Welfare and Environmental Sustainability Unsung Heroes ............................................................................................................227 Closing Keynote .........................................................................................................235 Closing Remarks........................................................................................................ 239 Closing Address........................................................................................................... 241 Story of the conference journey ........................................................................... 243

INTRODUCTION How many volunteers does it take The path along our new, uncharted to successfully plan and execute course was an emergent one, and not an international virtual community without its challenges. Remarkably improvement conference during a and notably, the great majority of pandemic? In the case of the 2020 our team members, distally located Let Us Dream Triennial International around the world, had not physically Virtual Conference, its success is or personally met each other, nor unequivocally attributable to the with the Let Us Dream leaders, dedicated service of more than a prior to our series of online hundred volunteers from different conference planning meetings. cities, countries, and cultures Despite this seemingly dubious crossing three different continents— situation, the planning process Asia, Europe, and North America. was one that spawned shared This circumstance is noteworthy commitment within our diverse considering the initial plan for the fall team of purposeful people, with their 2020 conference was to host it face- multiple and varied talents, skills, to-face on site at Christ University in and experiences. Moreover, in the Bengaluru, India. However, with the process of conference planning, an onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, organizational framework evolved everything for us — and the world — to include: changed. So, we modified our course and set off in a new direction.

Introduction | 9 i. twelve task-specific sub- managing the registration process. committees with a coordinator An in-depth view of the organiza- and co-coordinator for each; tional framework and committee structure is addressed in the final ii. a policy and oversight core section of this book (pp. 243-249). committee consisting of three chairs—host, national, During the online conference and international—and a planning period, authentic representative from each of the collaboration was neither a textbook local conference chapters; theory nor an obscure ideal to pursue. It was reflected in the iii. an executive committee ongoing actions of the team as comprised of core committee we planned, organized, problem- members and subcommittee solved, engaged in mock trial runs of coordinators and co- online sessions, and rebounded from coordinators, and setbacks throughout the months of preparation. Team members iv. a general committee that realized and pooled their expertise included the entire planning and approached this complex and team of 130 plus members. sometimes overwhelming initiative to deliver the online conference, with Committees had specialized roles its aspirational theme:  “Connecting and responsibilities pertaining Local Communities and Service to one or more of the following: Initiatives Through Global forming policy, providing oversight Networking”. Consequently, we were and support to team members, delighted to be able to provide a recruiting presenters, developing program consisting of an illustrious promotional and marketing group of diverse, inspirational, and materials, facilitating national dynamic speakers, panel discussion and international networking, members, and unsung heroes—all of overseeing and managing the online whom selflessly gave of their time, conference technology, formatting expertise, experience, and effort to and editing speakers’ videos, creating offer a virtual conference—free of international music videos, and charge.

10 | Let Us Dream Conference 2020 While the Let Us Dream triennial (President Leslie K. Guice), but conference was a first-time event, not also at Binghamton University in only in terms of it being an online New York, USA (President Harvey conference, but also in terms of G. Stenger), at Christ University in reaching an international audience, Bengaluru, India (Vice Chancellor it was not the first Let Us Dream Fr. Abraham, V M.) and a fourth conference. Locally-sponsored one in Thiruvananthapuram, India. Let Us Dream conferences had Also, there are plans for an annual been offered annually for several conference to be held at Catholic consecutive years previously. In fact, University of Applied Science of Let Us Dream was the vision of Dr. North Rhine-Westphalia, in Cologne, Fr. Lijo Thomas, who saw the need Germany (Chancellor Bernward to create a forum for professionals, Robrecht), and at Grambling State scholars, researchers, and post- University, in Grambling, Louisiana, secondary students to connect and USA (President Richard Gallot). share experiences in implementing  We are grateful for the ongoing community improvement involvement of the leaders of these initiatives. Out of that vision, the universities, which contributed to the first Let Us Dream Conference was success of the annual conferences. launched in 2017 at Louisiana Tech Moreover, we deeply appreciate the University in Ruston, Louisiana, collaborative and supportive role USA.  The overarching purpose of each these university leaders of that conference was to provide in hosting the 2020 triennial opportunities for networking, international conference. sharing community improvement models, and developing the next Consequently, the annual conferences paved the way for the generation of community leaders. 2020 international conference. The conference was a great success, with approximately 200 people in However, while the focus of the local conferences has been to attendance. foster networking and community- Since then, annual Let Us Dream improvement collaboration conferences have taken place not within specific communities, the only at Louisiana Tech University 2020 Let Us Dream Conference

Introduction | 11 purpose was to provide an inclusive Each of the ensuing three sections transnational forum for global of the Let Us Dream conference networking and sharing based proceedings is presented according on the belief that collaboration, to the 3-day conference program, as leadership, and innovative problem- follows: solving are essential for improving Day 1: Education Sector: Inaugural communities worldwide. The Address, Opening Keynote, Parallel conference presenters truly inspired Education Panel Discussions (Theme us to continue examining the needs 1: Special Education and Online Access; of our respective communities Theme 2: Underserved Children and and exploring ways to meet those Distance Learning Disparities; Theme needs. Our deepest gratitude goes 3: Holistic Learning and Psycho- out to our international conference Social Development), Unsung Heroes, presenters, the unsung heroes, the Closing Keynote, Closing Address. musicians, and the emcees who Day 2: Health Sector: Opening gave so generously of their time and Address, Opening Keynote, Parallel expertise. Health Panel Discussions (Theme 1: To conclude this introduction, we Mindfulness for Health; Theme 2: Mental offer the conference proceedings Health Care and Resilience; Theme in book format as an expression 3: Health Care Disparities), Unsung of our appreciation to all who so Heroes, Closing Keynote, Closing graciously and generously shared Address. their community improvement Day 3: Social Sector: Opening research initiatives and practitioner Address, Opening Keynote, Parallel knowledge and experiences during Social Panel Discussions (Theme the 2020 Let Us Dream Conference. 1: Critical Thinking and Information The information provided in this Literacy; Theme 2: Impact of Corona book does not prescribe specific Virus Pandemic on Community Response action steps for community Services; Theme 3: Animal Welfare and improvement. However, hopefully, Environmental Sustainability), Unsung it will inspire others who wish to Heroes, Closing Keynote, Closing make a difference in local and global Address. communities to answer the call to action.

DAY EDUCATION SECTOR 1 Opening Address Leslie K. Guice The success of the first Let Us President, Louisiana Tech University, Dream Conference in 2017 can Ruston, Louisiana, USA. be attributed to Leslie K. Guice, the 14th President of Louisiana Tech centers for advanced technologies, University, USA. His unmatched research  and entrepreneurship  leadership, vision and generous to support intellectual property, support, including provision of a commercialization and partnership beautiful venue to organize and with government and industries. deliver the conference, made a great Dr. Guice has been involved in difference.  leading  statewide and regional research, education, and economic Leslie K. Guice holds a PhD in Civil Engineering. Before he became President of  Louisiana Tech University, he served in numerous positions there, including as Dean of the College of Engineering and Science and Vice-President of Research and Development. As Dean and Vice- President, he developed several

Day 1: Education Sector | 13 development initiatives. He is They recognized that some good and a recognized leader in higher just models don’t exist everywhere education administration and in causing disparities in engagement, science and technology. education, health, well-being and President Guice’s Address economic opportunities in so  many Ladies and gentlemen, it is mydistinct communities  across the globe. Fr. privilege and honor to welcome you Thomas and Dr. Leonard identified to the Let Us Dream 2020 Triennial the power of collaboration and International Virtual Conference. In networking among volunteers, 2017, my two longtime friends and organizers, and leaders across the colleagues, Fr. Lijo Thomas and Dr. globe. This power truly changes our Pauline Leonard, showed exceptional world for the better. As we can see, vision and leadership in conceiving they have a dream. By connecting and planning this conference.  leaders and volunteers, there would From the beginning, Fr. Thomas be opportunities to learn from and Dr. Leonard clearly understood and support each other, as well as the vital roles that our local increase the global positive impact communities play in developing on our future generations. the next generation. They saw that Significant global impact can only community service volunteers and happen if we connect with, learn leaders help to create opportunities from  and support each other. The for youth to engage in educational, themes of this conference were social, health and economic activities designed to achieve those goals and that are crucial for  development. I invite you to address more specific They further realized that our topics and explore some of the big society has created strong models of questions that prepare and empower community engagements,  in which us to impact  communities across our youth can prosper and achieve the globe. Thanks to everyone who great things and make a positive has invested their time and energy impact on the greater part of  society in organizing this conference as well throughout their lives.  as the events that preceded it. I am grateful for your commitment to be

14 | Let Us Dream Conference 2020 part of this discussion. Please do take Opening KeynOte the things that you learn,  go back to Anthony H. Normore is  professor make a positive impact on the local emeritus at California State University, communities and regions in your Dominguez Hills, located in country.  metropolitan Los Angeles, USA. Later today, you will hear from one He obtained his PhD from the of my closest friends and colleagues Ontario Institute for the Studies in - President Rick Gallot from Education (OISE) at the University Gambling State University. President of Toronto, Canada. Dr. Normore  Gallot and I are fortunate to live in is  the author of more than 25 books supportive communities, in which and also serves on  various editorial education is a central focus. Our review boards. He worked as a school college communities are less than teacher and district administrator for five miles apart and there are many groups between our institutions. Anthony H. Normore At the same time, there are many disparities between and within our Professor Emeritus at California State collectives,  even though we have  so University, Dominguez Hills, California, many opportunities for education.  We know we must work together USA. not only to expand educational opportunities, but also to focus on the systemic issues that limit opportunities in our communities. Thanks again to Fr. Thomas, Dr. Leonard and all the conference organizers. Let’s all commit to leave here with new ideas that can impact the groups in our region. Let’s commit to work together to make a difference. Have a great conference!

Day 1: Education Sector | 15 20+ years and then moved to higher today to let you know where we education. His research focuses on stand on different competencies in the (mis)interpretation and (mis) educational leadership, from a global use of leadership and management and glocal perspective.  in higher education and leadership development in urban school Let me start by saying how important leaders in the context of ethics and it is for people to be  aware of social justice. He is a recipient of taking stands and what it entails. various prestigious awards for his For example, history is shaped by leadership including the AERA 2013 those who take a stand and fight for Bridge People Award for Leadership change. We have seen different types for Social Justice, the  the 2019 of people from various backgrounds, International Award for Authentic such as authors, activists and Leadership, and the 2015 Willower philanthropists, who fight for change.  Award of Excellence in Research Some of history’s biggest shifts in civil awarded both by UCEA Consortium rights, diversity and social justice, for the Study of Leadership and community improvement, solution- Ethics in Education. focused innovation, diplomacy and law-making have been the result Keynote Presentation Title: Human of  the work of individuals, who Rights, Civil Rights and Democracy embodied and fought for the causes in Context of Educational Leadership they believed in.  for Glocalization.  When we talk about civil rights, we My topic is on human rights, are talking about people such as those civil rights and democracy in the who fought to end  slavery and racial context of educational leadership discrimination so as to  promote the for glocalization. One of the things equal treatment of people in society. I have been studying of late along Without these elements  in place, it with a colleague  from Australia is nearly impossible to be able to say is glocalization in the context of that all facets of our communities globalization. I will share our ideas are improving. We improve our

16 | Let Us Dream Conference 2020 communities when we represent, opposed to glocalization, which is heed and respect what civil rights the synthesis of the local as well as means. We also have women’s global efforts. rights activists, who specifically work towards promoting rights for Glocalization involves the study of women. intertwined-worldwide discourses, processes and institutions that Look at some of our writers or are affecting the local educational authors who promoted respect for practices and policies. This particular human rights and  championed the address will focus on education. cause of freedom. And what does this I would like to move into the look like? These are humanitarian global leadership literacies within efforts from people concerned with education. These global education improving the welfare of others literacies represent universities, through charitable and humanitarian colleges, Pre-K-12 educational work. This too becomes very systems, vocational education important as we move forward to systems and so forth.    understand what it looks like to represent human rights, civil rights My colleague and I in our research and democracy within the context of have discovered ten competencies, glocalization and globalization. which we believe are critical to understand education globally Within that context of taking a stand, and glocally, especially in terms of let me move to global and glocal educational leadership. I am going to efforts. For example, we are aware discuss them or at least present them that globalization was grounded in here now. It will be brief. Let me start economics. It has now gone beyond with political: economics and is being applied to political and cultural changes that Political literacy/comPetency  affect large segments of the world’s people. So globalization goes much We are calling it literacy and/or further than international aspects as competency and we have used the

Day 1: Education Sector | 17 words interchangeably within our social capital and issues related to work. We believe schools cannot governance as well as the authority operate effectively if their leaders do of closed and open systems.  not understand what it means to be politically literate or  competent, and We believe that continued not just within the local segment, but globalization of educational policies also in the global segment. Here, is a sure way to bring individual we are referring to the knowledge preferences to reality. It is ‘sure’ of understanding the formal and because it may bring democratic informal political processes and redistribution of authority, issues, which enable people to individual right to personal liberty perform their roles as citizens and diversity of opportunities back effectively.  to the top of the political agenda. That is the brief overview of what That knowledge of understanding politics would look like and that then political processes becomes critical to would lead to economic literacy, those who are in leadership positions  which is the second aspect.  in school systems worldwide and not just in our own communities. economic literacy  When we speak of political literacy, we are talking about being literate Economic literacy is in the inter- for the purpose of improving the related nature of the global economy. communities locally and globally, For example, we have call centres all as they are  interchangeable and at over the world, we have a worldwide least connected. At times, we fail to crisis happening in macroeconomics realise what that connection looks and microeconomics as well, and like when we think of the politics of where or why leaders in education global education leadership -- who should be aware of that. The gets what,  when do they get it and potential educational issues of how.  What could be the position economic globalization tells us that and status in terms of finances, it can reduce education to workers’ preparation. There is transnational

18 | Let Us Dream Conference 2020 brain drain, some gaining dynamics mOrAl COmpetenCy that would concentrate an inordinate amount of technical and conceptual We operationalize moral competency expertise in a few affluent centres. under the jurisdiction of many These transnational movements may issues, such as  social justice, the need potentially effect a negative impact on for transparency, good governance human and educational rights due to and moral and ethical decision- the extreme inequality with respect  making within the framework. We to quality of educational materials are also making references to equity and educators as well. So this brings versus equality and their meanings. us to the third competency - cultural.  A moral literacy approach, for example analyzing and interpreting CulturAl COmpetenCy social events, social justice, equity and equality, is pertinent in building Cultural competency, cultural community, amity, harmony and trust amongst its stakeholders.  literacy, or just  culture is important. We believe we should position world My colleagues and I in our research education leaders to make risky yet transformational and ethically have been operationalizing responsible decisions for the benefit of morally literate communities, ‘culture’ as the shared philosophies, nations and a morally literate world. This is what we are aiming for and ideologies, values, assumptions, hope to  succeed at. We then gain pedagogical competency or literacy. beliefs, expectations, attitudes Again I am using literacy and competency interchangeably. and norms that knit a community together, so that the idea or the purpose is to improve it. This is done by improving the community’s health and opportunities for those who represent the community and those in its extension. The fourth competency is moral competency/ literacy. 

Day 1: Education Sector | 19 pedAgOgiCAl literACy are the issues causing this digital divide and why is it so wide? From When it comes to pedagogical literacy, the perspective of education, we look at content, knowledge and there are issues of access as well what they look like. We also look at as knowing why, when and how to teaching - what is it that we need, what use information and technology. is the curriculum? If we are to make We want our students and our teaching or pedagogy effective within community members to be thinking our education systems, then what critically about the information that should learning look like? How do we they provide and  use and it becomes address different needs of different a lifelong learning process. We also learners? How do we assess those have organizational literacy. needs effectively? Furthermore, how do we evaluate the learning process? OrgAnizAtiOnAl literACy So pedagogical literacy is another element of the ten competencies or Organizational literacy involves literacies that we believe leaders and the identifying and  influencing educators in general need to have of common social and workflow knowledge of and be practising, if we patterns within organizations and in are to be successful both locally and this case within  communities as well. globally.  What are those socializations, what do they mean and what are the different We then move on to information types of socialization patterns that literacy. educators and educational leaders need to be made aware of from a infOrmAtiOn literACy local and global perspective? These issues are important. Information literacy is the widening of information known or to be We have organizational learning known and the ability to decrypt it systems in place as well, but what meaningfully. We have a widening are the goals and plans of the digital divide, but why? What organization? Are our students and

20 | Let Us Dream Conference 2020 educators equipped well enough philosophy. Diversity comes in so from a knowledge and practical many different forms and oftentimes, perspective to be able to take or I believe that we neglect to realize carry their organization and move them. We tend to focus on one, two forward in a very effective manner, or three forms of diversity, although  both from  local communities or there are so many different forms local  and global perspectives? that a globally competent literate leader would need to be aware of and Within the organizational literacy/ identify within the organizations.  competency, we look at what and how diversity fits into this realm as well. HOlistiC HeAltH literACy What does it look like, is it important or is it not?  Well, in our current state What does that mean? We think of affairs from a local and from a of the Holistic Leadership Theory, global perspective, yes, diversity holistic development or fundamental becomes very important. There are assumptions that we all have. The many opportunities that accompany  idea that holistic, healthy leadership diversity, much like inclusion. We is important is simply because the have always had diverse populations purpose behind it is to understand and  communities.  how we reunite the mind, the body and the spirit. All three elements To some degree, diversity is not just work well together. We need to be simply racial and  gender diversity, healthy holistically within all three but there are so many other issues realms. In that context, holistic health that accompany it.  We are talking of leadership is also a competency.  diversity in personality,  motivation, cognitive learning styles and religious and sPiritual literacy  leadership versus followership styles, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, We want to be very careful here not politics, linguistics, language, class, to confuse religiosity and spirituality. age, competency, seniority, ageism, For example, we know that religion organizational function, ability and provides order, continuity and

Day 1: Education Sector | 21 stability. Spirituality is the core of temPoral literacy  what and who we are. Let me reiterate This concept is pretty scant in the religiosity part.  I say we know the research,  but “temporal literacy” purpose of religion -  we know it is is focused on being able to read based on research. It is  for providing and understand the history of an that order, continuity and stability. organization. I say organization, but Yet it is not spirituality. People have it is really the history of just ‘being’ in various assumptions of what religion the present. We need to understand looks like and how it is effective, just what the present as well as  future of as they do with spirituality. However, people and institutions looks like.  this is a sphere of influence of That understanding must not just religious and spiritual competency come from one, but from multiple that leaders need to understand perspectives. The main path to that locally, glocally and globally. is to use the data that we currently have to predict and project future If we are to understand, for example, trends. This gives you an idea of as leaders of education within the the ten literacies that we have been school system,  what role  religion focused on over the last few years in plays within the schools, how our research. This is a big piece of my effective it is and where  freedom personal and professional research. to utilize religious tenets come into Within those competencies, of play, we can also try doing the same course, is the understanding of with spirituality: Who we are, what is special needs within our school our core,  who am I and what is my systems.  core: that becomes really important I was the chairperson of the Special for the understanding of spirituality.  Needs Department at the Cal State University System for a couple of The last, tenth and final competency years long ago and very quickly saw the or literacy we have discovered in need to understand how important our research is known as temporal it is for educational leaders and literacy.  educators in general to understand

22 | Let Us Dream Conference 2020 cognitive learning processes and We have transgenders  demanding developmental, intellectual learning respect, children in cages, Black Lives processes. We try to understand what Matter, traditional marriages versus it means to have special needs in our LGBTQ and unions, reproductive family and our communities. What rights of women locked over pro- we need to have in place is to help choice versus pro-life debates. That us understand the importance of being said, I think it is important taking care of special needs, not just to look into these areas I am going of children but adults as well, and to leave with you and hope you will moving opportunities forward with garner a little more understanding of them.  some of the issues that are running As an example,  we have many around the world, why it is important students with mild needs, while to have leaders managing schools others have moderate and yet others or those in educational positions have severe needs. However, we making it important to make this have a lot of administrators in our a core element of what it needs to school systems, who simply do not be an educational leader on a local,  understand what that means or how glocal  and  global system level.  to recognize it.  There is also another Letmesummarisewhatitmeanswhen problem of what to do with it in order you bring it all together. Educational to ensure the equity and equality of leaders, from my perspective, are all students.   uniquely positioned to influence We also believe there are times the effects of glocalization and when we have to mix all  these establish new frontiers. Now and in ten competencies. We have an the future, people with the greatest opportunity to look into youth understanding of the ten literacies or  activism and see what it looks like to ten competencies that we reviewed improve ourcommunity.We askwhat here, and the will and skill to influence it means to have a solution-based them, will be our organizational innovation to address problems or and community leaders for human pose questions and ideas within our rights, civil liberties,  social justice, communities.  humanitarianism and democracy.

1PANEL EDUCATION SECTOR Theme: Special Education and Online Curriculum Access Manju Balasubramanyam Chara Barclay (Moderator) Consultant at Limitless Inclusion in the Principal of Delhi Public School in USA. Bengaluru, India. Edward Bell Swathi Vellal Director of Professional Development and Founding Director of Ishanya India Research Institute on Blindness, Louisiana Foundation, Centre for Individuals with Tech University, USA. Special Needs, India.

24 | Let Us Dream Conference 2020 Greetings to everyone in all parts their homes. Most children have not of the world. My name is Manju been able to step out of their homes Balasubramanyam and I am the  since March 2020. I must salute these moderator of this session on Special children who have shown so much Education and Online Curriculum resilience, power and strength  for Access. Today, I have with me three eight or nine months and are being amazing people who have spent a prepared to go further.  I think in all  lifetime working with special-needs this, people who have to be applauded children and bringing some of the time and again are the teachers, best practises that one can imagine to special educators, counsellors and all children, ensuring full  inclusion.  parents who  are doubling the role of not only  parenting but also teaching.  The three panelists this evening are Chara Barclay, who is a Consultant at Each of our panelists has only five Limitless Inclusion in the US; Edward minutes to speak.  Bell, a Director of Professional Development and Research Institute Let’s start with Chara Barclay. I would on Blindness, Louisiana Tech like to understand from you what University, USA; and finally Swathi your stance has been in the United Vellal, the Founding Director of States and how online education has Ishanya India Foundation, Center been doing. for Individuals with Special Needs, India. I am delighted to be hosting Chara Barclay - I am excited to this webinar, as I am also part  of the hear from  and learn with you  this K-P-12 inclusive school.   morning. Good evening to all who are watching and good morning The pandemic has been tough if you are here. I am in Colorado; on all of us, especially in the field it’s a bit early. I had my coffee. So of education and most of all for my background is that of a Special children with special needs, because Education Teacher.  I also work on it just throws them out of their social Inclusive Programming at Special community and confines them to Needs, Washington. So, I  taught in

Education Sector: Panel 1 | 25 a variety of classrooms before the not have healthy, emotional  and pandemic.  social well-being, they are not going to access the curriculum related to  My focus has always been inclusion. history, science and mathematics.   I think for all of us that is definitely the core value we have as special I have been in awe of teachers and educators and advocates. What I have special educators, who are some of noticed talking to students,  parents the best enablers at pivoting and and teachers right now as an Inclusion changing roles. I am witnessing a lot Consultant is that we really need to of contribution from many teachers shift our question of where we want and what I am hearing from students children to be included. Earlier, we too are a few key things their teachers may have been focusing on including have done. I am hearing that they students in  typical classrooms, so are really  looking at what students they can access academics. Or we require during this time,  which also have been including them in  general includes maintaining independence. communities. Now, as  people are in But mostly, they are finding ways  to their homes, we are really trying to be integrated with family routines.  understand how  we include students in their family lives,  family routines The environment looks a lot different and maintain some independence as from teaching before COVID-19 for well.  students who experience significant disabilities. Maybe they are not as What I am hearing from teachers verbal as some other students, or their is that they are really shifting the disabilities impact their ability to question of inclusion and also pursue independent homework. For changing the curriculum a bit. While  example, I am seeing that teachers we have been focusing a lot on are creative about making visual academics pre-COVID-19, right now, activities for students to take up on it’s about checking the emotional their own. This means that  parents health of students as well that of can have some independence, while  their caregivers, because if they do students are  able to pursue some

26 | Let Us Dream Conference 2020 activities. For instance, teachers out of their roles, maybe to mail may create a visual folder, in which materials to families or to drop them students  see pictures. They turn off their porches, to get these folders each page and see a picture without to the students.  reading or writing. Maybe children might  continue to turn the pages and  The other thing that I think has been come across a reinforcing activity or really  important for caregivers is reward.  The next page can show a finding ways to integrate students reward of going for a walk outside,  into family routines, now that getting snacks or just swinging. they are at home all day. A lot of The children can turn the pages on teachers are zooming in or logging their own and see  pictures of other in virtually to observe a family activities they can complete.  routine that has been a challenge. For example, cooking dinner and I see that  teachers are still trying how we should involve our students to meet their goals of instructing  with disabilities in that routine or students and giving them giving them another activity, while opportunities to do their work we are cooking dinner, even as independently. This helps  caregivers teachers are pursuing the activity. not to be in the role of educators, as  After that,  the teacher may come up they have jobs.Hopefully, a lot of with a behavior plan for the student caregivers have jobs and a household and the family, which is educative. to run. Independence and peace is Thus,  the curriculum is to integrate really critical for  children. This is students into family routines and why I am hearing from students of also provide independence for them. all ages that they are missing trying I have been really amazed at the to do  tasks on their own again. creativity that addresses these new So, when teachers provide these goals for students and hope that we opportunities for students, that’s can continue it.   really successful. However, this again means that teachers have to step

Education Sector: Panel 1 | 27 Moderator - Manju Balasubramanyam with parents and families. For  - We will come back with the accessibility, you know that we are questions that are being posed to you, particularly dealing with blindness once all the panelists have spoken. or  low vision. There are always Thank you for giving us a view on issues with access to technologies. how managing independence has Zoom has been a  godsend for most been successful. I think zooming of us. Fortunately, it is accessible to into  homes to address and help visually impaired users. Apple was parents is also something we have the first mainstream technology found to be very helpful. This is an company that built accessibility into advantage that we did not realize all its products. So when you buy an earlier, because schools  stick to their Iphone or Ipad at an Apple store and routines  while homes stick to theirs.  turn on the voiceover, it instantly Yes, this has been wonderful and it’s becomes accessible.  an experience we have shared too. Thank you!  This opened up doors to families and children with blindness or  low Edward Bell, the stage is all yours.  vision across the world. Earlier we had to be so dependent on others to Edward Bell - Good morning and help get access to such  equipment, good evening to everyone who is but now we can pretty much access participating. I work at Louisiana them right away. But on the flip side,  Tech University and we  assist in there are also lots of technologies preparing teachers who work with that are not accessible. One of the the visually impaired, reaching out things we saw this spring in the to their families and  teachers.  United States, when schools were shut down, was that there was no I think three themes have really plan for the visually impaired, even emerged in the last nine months as teachers were focusing on things of dealing with  COVID-19. One is such as iPads, Google Chrome and accessibility, the second is inequity Chromebooks.   and the third is involvement

28 | Let Us Dream Conference 2020 Other teachers were using you are hungry? These inequities are alternatives  so that the visually so pervasive throughout societies impaired students  could access that they are major challenges. They information easily and continue need to be dealt with across our to learn along with their sighted whole country.  classmates, whereas in other situations, they were completely shut The third positive is the involvement out of the educational experiences, of parents in the education of their simply because technology was not children.  We have said for a long friendly to them. We need to think time that the parent is the first through some of this technology and teacher,  from birth onward  and a help  people to get better access.  lot of times we as professionals take charge or  control of the educational Another thing that becomes clear experiences. But when the children  in the United States, irrespective of are at home, parents have to get more technologies, is the inequities in so engaged and  involved in accessing many homes around the country. technologies and  becoming co- Other families have broadband teachers. I think we have seen a lot internet and laptop/computers and of good things  emerge from that, easy access to these technologies. because it  demystified what we do. It When they are sent to stay and  study gives empowerment to the families from home, they could easily turn on and parents, helping them to really their computers and  jump into their engage with learners/children. What work, but some families do not have we are able to do now is to reach out the Internet,  laptops and shockingly, to people or families in ways that we not even good nutrition at home. We never could before.  found ourselves in a crisis, during which  basic nutritional needs were We also organize  summer programs being met by the educational system, for children. Some cannot travel but now students are stuck at home. because of medical fragility and How can you  focus on education if  other challenges. Opening up these online environments and involving

Education Sector: Panel 1 | 29 families gives access to the children common feeling -  our unconditional in a way that they did not previously love for children and our belief that enjoy. So I think that the overarching every child needs to be learning, theme that we have learnt in the last whatever be the circumstances. I nine months is that we have to be think for the first time we have seen resilient, flexible, creative problem- parents across the globe engage in solvers and involve families too the process of learning. They are in the educational experiences. It also appreciating what the teachers is not something that should be have been doing all these years and left to teachers and schools alone. somehow bringing us together. Education creates a global village and When we ask  “whose child is this’’,  it takes all of us to build it up.  These these questions have somehow come are some of the lessons I learnt.  to be answered as: “it’s our child”.  As Edward Bell put it,  it takes a village Moderator - Edward Bell - you to raise a child. Let us continue our brought out  three important points discussion with Swathi Vellal.  related to accessibility, equity and parental involvement. I think this Swathi Vellal - Namaste! I am pandemic has brought  us very close Swathi, the Founding Director of to each other as global citizens, Ishanya India Foundation. We offer whether it is in the United States or different kinds of skill-development in developing countries like India programmes  for children, across or Africa. Challenges have been different age groups, who have  very similar, whether it is related to developmental disabilities. Like accessibility, technology or inequities the other panelists  mentioned, the in the country. It is so hard on most global outbreak of COVID-19 saw an people.  unprecedented shift in education on a global scale. Students, educators There is a sense of togetherness that and parents all around the globe  are  we currently share. We also  face feeling the ripple effect, as schools challenges that we are opposing in a were suddenly shut down and similar manner, just because of one quarantine was ordered. 

30 | Let Us Dream Conference 2020 This situation is something that none India is very different. A large section of us have navigated before. It has of population lives below the Poverty posed a lot of unique challenges to Datum Line, many in villages and individuals with special needs coping basic services are not properly with the unknown, sudden changes available.  in the routines and of course the fear about contracting the virus. From the Although the Indian government time lockdownwas announced (India) has set up various initiatives for in March, I  heard  a lot  from parents education, for example now a lot regarding  meltdowns and children’s of students including those with aggressive behaviours. I know two special needs have access to laptops parents specifically who have done and perhaps even the Internet,  their everything possible to make virtual living conditions may not be suitable learning work for their child, but or convenient for learning.  There is after six months, they realised their also the problem of economic stress house was just a classroom and there and low education levels of parents, was no way they could  be  teachers, including  weak digital skills, so even if it was to support them during it means that many children may online classes. The parents shared not benefit from virtual learning,  how they have to put off school work specifically those children with with their children on some days, special needs, such as  autism, who just to get through the day without require  individualized support.  violent behavior or fights.  In fact, in the PRAGYATA guidelines My first thought when lockdown was to online education by the announced was to say: “Thank God government of India, the section for technology, we can do something. on disability is the smallest and it We can be connected with students completely lacks details about how and their families though only the students with disabilities can be privileged ones can manage.” The supported. I think digital cooperation ground reality for a country like in special education is not easy. It has not been a smooth  journey for all 

Education Sector: Panel 1 | 31 educators to bring about a complete moment, I think people are not only behavioral change through or adapting but innovating tools that towards technology. Educators are are inclusive. Although the absence faced with the challenge of ensuring of the human touch remains a critical that students understand how to factor for children with special needs, navigate online learning platforms.  I think we have been managing to achieve a lot thanks to technology We also understand that parents and these special educators always need to be taught how to support talk about collaborative approaches.  their children and also  how course instructions can  be presented in a We have been able to form very more meaningful way.   However, I strong connections with  parents, think now most parents are able to do empowering them not only to work it. It is one of the greatest outcomes with children but also to make them of this crisis, which has stimulated more tech-savvy. There are many innovations in the education sector. resources that are available for free, However,  the government of India although not all of them can be has always been using traditional used by children with special needs long-distance learning methods in directly. I strongly believe that with areas without Internet connections. technology, change is on the way Various modes of education delivery, but we should not forget to put such as television, radio programs equality and inclusion at its centre.  and distribution of print materials This is because technology has some have been used by children with resources and we may not be aware special needs as well.  of the best way to utilize them at the moment.  So technology is certainly filling some gaps that have been caused by school There are certainly great closure, as it helped organizations opportunities but also challenges to reach out to students from other that require innovative solutions. cities and villages, who could be So I suggest that we must come trained  with their parents. So  at the together, do a lot of research to

32 | Let Us Dream Conference 2020 explore how online instructions like to thank each of the panelists should be designed and delivered so for sticking to their time-limits, so as to improve students’ outcomes, we get more time for the questions, specifically with special needs. I which are pouring in every minute. presume that can happen only I will open the house  to all of you. when people understand that online Please try to take just a minute, so education is here to stay. We need to that we can cover as many questions build a network of big collaborators as possible. We will go in the same to discuss challenges  and share order as we did with Chara Baclay, resources to help each other out.  Edward Bell and Swathi Vellal .  I would like to end by saying that Question - What are the pros and we do not know how this will turn cons of online education and how do out, but I think we will emerge from we overcome  challenges? this crisis with a renewed sense of purpose,  gratitude and a whole lot of Chara Barclay - I have learnt a possibilities to make education more lot by listening to other panelists inclusive. about the pros and cons. One  thing that stands out is  collaboration. Moderator - We appreciate you, We are all witnessing situations Swathi Vellal, for taking us across in families.  I really like what you the globe. You gave us the situation asked,  Manju Balasubramanyam, that was in India at the beginning of when you  questioned: “Whose child the pandemic and how it spanned is this”?  We are really honouring out in the past six to eight months. the collaboration with parents and  It has been a process of learning students’ desires as well, because we for everybody, whether in a remote have more time to stop and listen.  village of India, or in a city like We are all more focused and present, Bengaluru or Delhi.  or it seems that at least we are trying. So that is the biggest ‘pro’ that I can At this moment, I am getting into think of so far.   questions straight away. I would

Education Sector: Panel 1 | 33 Coming to ‘con’, we have seen it in The networking that we take up  at both our countries (US and India) conferences is not like people being and also around the world. Inequities  together or kids being able to play have always existed, but were much and socialize. That  is certainly a ‘con’ easier to ignore and dismiss. Or and  something we are all looking maybe  it was a ‘pro’ that we do not  forward to defeat and get back see now.  I will say the major ‘con’ is together physically next year.  that inequalities exist and students are not having equal access to Swathi Vellal - Coming to pros, I am resources.  like the other panelists. We are able to make connections with students Edward Bell - I would agree that and families which we have not this conference is an obvious ‘pro’. done before, so that is a great step The fact that we can be together, forward. But the disadvantages are literally around the world, having that we observe a lot of learning this conversation in real time, gaps in students, especially those is phenomenal.  I seem to have with autism, who also rely on other participated in more national and therapies, be it speech,  sensory international  conferences in the last therapy or OT. All  these therapies nine months than in the last nine actually help them to learn better. I years. This is because technology think it is a bit of an issue. I also think has made it a possibility. However, it is ok if children have learning we come again to the issue of access gaps or don’t learn as long as they to  rural areas and other places not are physically and emotionally safe. connected around the country or I think the environment at home world. It would be better if they are should be safe, with a lot of love and provided with the infrastructure, acceptance. We do not  doubt that we tech and  facilities  for the Internet will emerge from this  crisis, but a  and computers. The possibilities little more resilience is needed. It is  are there, of course, but one of the ok if we have  learning gaps. We can ‘cons’ is not being there in person.  always address them a little later, but

34 | Let Us Dream Conference 2020 the  environment at home needs to learning environment in the physical be good.  space? Moderator - Absolutely. I suggest Chara Barclay - That’s a great that all of us understand that this question, I haven’t heard that question pandemic is going to stay and is a lot and I haven’t been thinking not going anywhere. It’s a whole about it either. But the first thing lifestyle change that the world is that came to my mind is adjusting to going to experience now and the more stimulation and socialization. time to come. What everyone wants I think for any of us, whether we is to be able to sail through this in experience disability or not, we now the best possible manner. Some of have a new routine and  fear people our expectations have also changed, that we are interacting with. I notice but we still have high expectations that even if I do leave the house now, for our children and their learning. which we aren’t doing regularly, We are more aware  that learning is but are able to  manage due to very personalized and we need to flexibility in our levels of quarantine, be rather  accommodating for that I  experience anxiety just getting personalization of education.  ready to get into my car, because I am just so used to being at home  Yesterday, I was listening to Kerry in a relaxed routine and schedule. I Scott, the astronaut who spent one am presuming  adjustment for all of year at the space station. One of the us and definitely for students who questions that was asked of  him was: experience different disabilities. Why  was he coming back to the It would require adjustment just earth after a year? to get used to the stimulation and  socialization again.  Question - What would you think are the challenges when students Edward Bell - One of the most come to the physical space in schools important things that we are going to after this long stay, when they have seewhen children come backtogether been away from the school and the again is that  inequities  are going to

Education Sector: Panel 1 | 35 be very  apparent. The children with we will need to follow all the safety very strong family ties,  access to and precautionary methods,  which curriculum, Internet,  parents who could be handwashing  and wearing ensure that they get their homework masks. All  that will be challenging done, and are self-motivated, have an for students with autism, but we have edge over  children who do not have to see how we are going to work on a strong family structure, technology  that.  or anybody who is pushing them to finish  their work. Those  who return  Moderator - I am not going to give to school can see those inequities up wearing a mask for the rest of emerging, especially highlighting my life. I just realised that someone how far ahead some children are over asthmatic like me has never had a others who are far behind. It is really  cold since March 2020! We need to so unfortunate  that I hope we can promote good things, whether it  be continue through much of next year. social distancing or masking. These I hope that there are  better solutions are the things that have become an to levelling out the  playing field integral part of our lives. Children across all families. Unfortunately, with special needs have also seen this is because there are a number them  in their homes and are more of inequities in our social systems. used to them, but are slowly coming Levelling the  playing field is a back to normal.  Still, I’m not really systemic, not an interpersonal issue, sure how we are going to address which always takes time.  what we were used to doing and being. It will be very  different.  Swathi Vellal - I don’t know, but it might be too early to say  that There is a question coming up... everyone will settle down once we are able to reopen, especially children Question - As technologyis becoming with autism. We know they thrive on an integral part of educational routine, so it’s again a new routine delivery, how can technologically when they come back to us. Obviously, and economically challenged parts

36 | Let Us Dream Conference 2020 of the world impart education to Swathi Vellal - In a country like students with special needs?  India, it is going to be challenging, but at the same time I see a lot of Chara Barclay - That is for all of us organizations coming forward with to give a go for such a big question. new tools that would probably cater I do not think we found the answer, to educational systems, which will  though I wish I had one.  I mean, I be able to function at the most basic don’t think governments have that level, even to reach a remote village.  answer. I am going to pass it on to I think there are organizations others.  looking into creating new learning management systems as well. As I Edward Bell - One of the things in mentioned in my speech,  we have developed countries that we take for to come together and find unique granted is clean water, electricity, solutions. Otherwise, nothing will inter-state highways that are in good happen.  condition, reparable bridges and all other infrastructure.  I would equate Moderator - I agree with all.  I see these parts  of our social  network to that it is coming up repeatedly in the Internet, broadband and access our discussion. For the first time, to technology that has  become technology has brought the world something so integral to  our lives. together on a platform that none of us So I think governments need to have attended.  We have participated be responsible and make sure that in many webinars in the past nine broadband is available everywhere, months and I think such sharing because it is no longer a luxury of practises have not happened anymore, but is almost a necessity. globally.  People were doing special So I do think governments are work, especially in small pockets, committed to making technology but it  just stayed there. It wasn’t and access to it  as important as moving on. However, now we have electricity and clean water.  the best practices that are coming out to everybody and I am sure

Education Sector: Panel 1 | 37 that, as Edward Bell said, Internet Edward Bell - I would say that and technology are no longer a families are important. My family luxury, it is a necessity. It is going to members try to have dinner together. be a way of life. Governments and Every night we sit around and look organizations across the world have at each other and ask: “How was your set the pace. People are thinking of day, what was going on”. For that the innovative ideas and are trying to family unit is really very important. implement them. Let us move to the When people are isolated and  do not next question.   have anybody in the house, I think it is incumbent upon us to check on Question - Good mental health has them. A quick text message,  post been the need of the hour, what are or a phone call would help, because your opinions on this.  those human connections are so  important. I think it is incumbent Swathi Vellal - We need to make upon each of us to look at our friends everyone’s safety our first priority and families to just reach out and and learn what enables us to establish say ‘Hi’. Do not underestimate how that positive mental well-being. I just one email,  text message or think when we are free to go back to one phone call could brighten up how things were, we must use this somebody’s day.  It should be upon experience to positively change the us all to show that we care. We are a way we think of education and of global village and  need to take care our lives. Mental health is certainly of each other.   important and there are a lot of helplines available in India, through Chara Barclay - I would echo what which people are free to call and share the previous speaker said. In the US, their difficulties. Again, it comes back we have had an issue with mental to the same issue  of helping each health and it’s been described as a other out. It is very important.  crisis because a lot of us are suffering. On top of that we have this culture of silence around mental health as well.

38 | Let Us Dream Conference 2020 I think speaking about it  is a positive  through this pandemic. Let us look issue that is emerging during this into another question.  pandemic. We have public service announcements on TV and now we Question - Do you think that online have more people discussing mental education is getting very hectic for  health on social media. Hopefully, students?  this is something that we can continue after the pandemic as well.  We spoke about this earlier, but do you think that an offline curriculum- The other thing I would say is blended approach would be a that social media definitely has better fit rather than keeping it its downsides, but at this moment online and overwhelming students it has been a great connector, if with assignments and  high stake people know how to use it and are examinations, which  they will take comfortable with it, especially those eventually at the end of the academic with disabilities. This is because they year.  get a little bit of social connection via Instagram and Facebook and other Edward Bell - Once again, it comes different media, bringing in that back to inequalities and access to human connection we are craving. information. Having a teacher by That has been a positive as well.  your side is ultimately the best way to learn, because you know that a Moderator - The human connection one-on-one experience with the comes in such a big way this time, teacher is best, but given the current without really being physically in challenges,  can a child who is blind another’s presence. We felt that as or visually impaired learn effectively humans,  we have very similar issues, at home? Maybe if she/he has problems and solutions.  That was technology, the Braille equipment different before the pandemic. I and  access to the curriculum, he have been a teacher and we are all or she can Again, what we see is co-learners in this journey of getting sometimes the answer “Yes” and also sometimes “No”. It really depends

Education Sector: Panel 1 | 39 on whether students have  accessible absorb  well, because their brains equipment and whether people who are being taken care of. I would say know how to teach  use it well or not. students are getting overwhelmed I think what we are going to see in and I can even see it in my own the future is some degree of blend daughter. She does speech therapy between the online and in-person - all online. There are some days on instruction. We have to figure it out which  it’s supposed to be an hour’s now, get it straight, working out those practise with  the speech therapist. I kinks so that we can be prepared for would say that she can no longer learn the future.  beyond this moment, so she is done. However, against the background, Swathi Vellal - It’s certainly going to her speech therapist is talking to her be very challenging for a  number about being available. It provides of students. We work with many  consistency, even if she is not  too who have access to devices  and engaged in it and for students that the Internet, but do not have a  are taking assessments it is a different quiet room at home to take  online scenario. However, being flexible and sessions, especially for children knowing that logging in, seeing the in the spectrum.  We talk about face and working as long as you can creating learning space and limiting is really critical. We should  not  push distractions, which will help them in students to extremes, so that they do their learning. If that is not available, not get stressed out more than what it has obviously  been extremely is needed.  challenging to get their attention and focus and reach the academic goals Moderator - There is one last that we have for them.  question that I am going to take. I have a minute left but I’m going to Clara Barclay - It goes back to maybe take it.  the idea of students’ emotional health and well-being and trying to maintain Question- Howhas it been achallenge that foundation. When students go for elderly faculty members? Have back to person-in-learning, they can you had any issues with teachers

finding technology inaccessible or what is happening in different parts difficult to use?   of the world and bring in the best for our children.  Edward Bell - Well, this is one area in which  the kids are definitely at Thank you for bringing out the an advantage, because they  can pick importance of families. Children up any technology  and learn it so should have families, and warm fast. I do think that for some older families are going to emerge  much instructors and our teachers it  is a stronger. It is also our duty to reach challenge to come up to speed with out to those who do not have it all. the newer technologies,  yet it is I think all of us listening to this something that we have to do for the program today are going to go out kids.  and do a little more. Thank you everybody and thank you Christ Moderator - I also appreciate that University and BU for giving us our students have been our teachers this platform to share some of our as well, telling us how to navigate experiences through the pandemic. when we get  stuck.  Have a blessed day. It has been wonderful and I would like to say a big thank you to all the three panelists - Chara Barclay, Edward Bell and Swathi. It has been such an amazing 40 minutes. I have just not known how time flew by. The biggest takeaway for me this evening is how together we want so much to defeat this pandemic, whether the vaccine is coming in or we live each day together virtually. It has been an amazing journey. I suggest that we should catch up so often to share

2PANEL EDUCATION SECTOR Theme: Underserved Children and Distance-Learning Disparities Nivedita Mukerjee (Moderator) Mangal Pandey Educator and Advisor to K-12 Schools Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of and Higher Education Institutions from Key Education Foundation, India. Bengaluru, India. Uttam Bannerjee Laura Bronstein Chief Executive Officer at Samridhdhi Trust, Dean of Community College and Public India. Affairs as well as the Director of the Institute of Justice and Wellbeing at Binghamton University, USA.

42 | Let Us Dream Conference 2020 Hello, everyone. I am Nivedita we work with children in the age Mukerjee, an Educator and group of three to six years. From Advisor to K-12 Schools and Higher our experiences, unfortunately, Educational Institutions from COVID-19 has hit them the most. In Bengaluru, India. This evening, I am the context of a country like India, your moderator. We are discussing the issues are innumerable and the the theme of ‘Underserving students challenges are going to be here for and distance-learning disparities’ the next one-and-a-half years to with the panelists Mangal Pandey, come. I am going to spend the next Uttam Bannerjee and Laura two to three minutes articulating Bronstein.  what we are seeing on the ground in terms of early childhood learning The pandemic has brought about and the last two minutes  articulating a seismic shift in how education how we redefine learning for these is experienced across the world young learners, who are the future by students and teachers. The of the country.  challenges of underserved children have surfaced like never before. As The first problem  that we  see is we are starting with the discussion, I request all in the audience to keep that children are lacking education, sharing your thoughts and questions on the YouTube chat option, so that access to school,  teachers or an we can take them up as the discussion progresses. I would like to start environment which is designed today’s discussion with you, Mangal Pandey, so introduce yourself. We for learning. One of the biggest know you work with early childhood education in low-income families.  challenges children are facing, which Mangal Pandey - I am happy to we should be worried about, is their be here and jump straight into the topic. As  Nivedita mentioned, socio-emotional development.  We see children who  are three to four years old being forced to start behaving like adults and taking up responsibilities, which they have not taken up earlier. 

Education Sector: Panel 2 | 43 Children are confused as to why with  nutritional deficiencies. Of they can’t step out. They are not course, the government has taken a meeting their friends, nor their lot of steps to curb that, but I think family members. Trying to educate it’s something we should be talking children in this state is difficult, about when we  refer to learning in a mostly because  these children come young context.  from the low-income strata, where the home environment is not very How can we redefine learning, conducive in terms of the learning or what exactly could be the way environment.  Some statistical data forward for these young learners? I from the child helpline number would like to categorize my thoughts of India shows that the highest into three parts.  number of calls were made during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. One is the  issue of access. I think This may entail that apart from the we have seen India as a country learning disparities we are talking proudly saying that all our children about, we are also going to face the  are enrolled in school, but I suggest huge challenge of children having that it needs to be redefined. Instead social and emotional difficulties, as of expecting the child to come to they come out of this challenge.  school, we need to  take the school to the child. Honestly, I do not have The second challenge we are seeing a solution for  how we are going to and need to understand is nutrition. It  do that but yes, that is something is important, as it is education in that  in terms of access. We really need age group. The government services to look at how we can solve this of Anganwadis, apart from serving as disparity in the future, ensuring that an educational unit,were also a source it is education that is going to the of nutrition and immunization for child, instead of the child coming to these children. Now as  that source an education.  has also  almost stopped, we are also facing a challenge for these children

44 | Let Us Dream Conference 2020 The second issue is that of tools. play a role in the learning of the child. We need to redefine from the So the system needs to start thinking blackboard, chalk and textbooks about how  we leverage a parent as an as learning tools, to the Internet, educator and hence ensure that our radio, television and voice messages children in that age group are getting as the tools of learning as we move quality education, which  everyone ahead in the next 12 months. We should be getting as we move ahead. have seen what we have been during With this, I would like to close my the pandemic. I mean if you take short introduction.  I am looking education to the child, all these tools forward to a lot of questions from are big support systems. In a country the viewers. It’s over to you, Nivedita.  or in a city like Bengaluru, we are leveraging WhatsApp as a big tool to Moderator - Nivedita Mukerjee - reach out to parents who are working We understand, Mangal, that you with  children. I suggest redefining might have gone through many and investing in these tools, whether loops to get education, nutrition it is radio, television, Internet or any and wellbeing to the smallest  of other medium  like a newspaper, to our population in  this situation. We reach or take  the school to the child.  will come back to you with more questions and in the meanwhile, The third  and the most crucial  when you were talking about this, question is to start asking  who the the images of the Indian television educator is. I need to step away from were moving through my mind. One saying that the responsibility is only of the most moving and  disturbing with the teacher. I need to rethink of stories during this pandemic  was a parent as being an educator. From that of migrant labourers and  the our experiences on the ground as large, unorganised sector of workers, educators, we have seen that parents in which the families, including are really invested, irrespective the children, have suffered severe of their economic  or  financial income loss. Children had limited background. Parents can and should

Education Sector: Panel 2 | 45 to no access to state education and migrants from various cities, who health care.  are coming  here for work. To help, we do bridge projects and then bring  Our next panelist is Uttam Bannerjee, people into main schools. From the whose work is now spread across main schools we take care of them India. He has been working with from cradle to employability.  these large demographics of migrant workers.  Can you please share with Our organization is  affected by  us your journey in  Samridhdhi COVID-19, in the same way as Trust, with specific focus on how Mangal mentioned.  During the first the team worked in support of the two months, we really wanted to see education and development of these if things  get settled, but everybody underserved communities across was scared of how things were going. India? We were all looking at how the government has been taking care of Uttam Bannerjee - Mangal, you have the COVID-19 situation, so that we  given me a lot of cues to talk about can take care of children  under us. underprivileged people.  Given the We started conducting our online circumstances of COVID-19,  I can education classes in July or August.  tell you one thing -  people who However, such classes for the were not supposed to take up these children is Greek, which they have challenges are now taking them up  never understood.  much faster, accommodating and adjusting with the situation quicker  However, the advantage of online than we thought.   classes is that we are holding them across the school, as distance doesn’t Basically, let me talk about our matter. For example, we can connect organization, so that people may have to anyone in Bengaluru, whether some  understanding. We are a ten- in the southern or western regions. year-old organization and  started in We are also getting teachers from 2010. We have 3,500 children across various states of India and even from India. Majorly, we are working with abroad to connect online, so that

46 | Let Us Dream Conference 2020 the children benefit. They get better or evening. Children can’t really wait teachers, who bring conceptual  for our other classes in order to learn clarity through a lot of tools in the from the best teachers and benefit classrooms. The children are really from their conceptual clarity.We are enjoying it.  getting closer to them. Geographical distance prevents us from interacting I feel that there are more advantages with students, but now, because of than the previous year, when online classes, we understand what geographical boundaries and other they are asking and what they need. such issues  were affecting education. Basically, COVID-19 has bridged the At the moment, we are getting more gaps in education. That is my take enlightened teachers from various home on this program.  places,  who leverage various tools for  conceptual clarity. I feel that Moderator - It is heartwarming it is a boom for education, which to hear that learning has crossed needs to be viewed  from a different the boundaries of space and time angle at the moment and even post and the constraints of availability COVID-19. We have learnt to go of quality teachers and access to beyond  boundaries and see what learning. From what I get from you benefits we get for  children through it looks like we are moving towards online classes.  equity, more democratization and more opportunities to learn. I was That was the little I wanted to say. Our just speaking to  another  colleague organization is into various places, and his team is  working in a similar such as Bengaluru, Noida, NCR Delhi sector. What is happening is that and Pune. We have about  3,500 parents are learning along with  their children embarked and impacted, children. This means that adult  and while about 2,500 are mainstreamed. child education are now happening Students are enjoying the situation, together. This is a take-off  from due to enlightened teachers.  I can Mangal’s statement on  how we can inform everyone about the online bring parents to play a role as active classes to be held in the afternoon

Education Sector: Panel 2 | 47 educators. I think we see a possibility. appreciate my fellow panelist, who is There is a window here, where we talking about the lessons learnt and can bring in parents as  educators, the positive changes we can bring even among the underserved and about. I refer to them as silver linings  among  parents who didn’t have the during this awful pandemic.  opportunity for themselves.  I do want to talk to you about Looking at this actually brings me the model of University Assisted to Laura Bronstein, because she Community Schools and how we has been working in university- are implementing it  at Binghamton assisted community schools and University. We call it “BUCS” for her outcome is legendary. I have Binghamton University Community been looking at some excerpts and Schools and see how it has been a abstracts from your book. What is terrific model during the pandemic. your view on this move  regarding Our mission at BUCS is to support the impact on  remote learning the development of community and digital technology on quality schools by fostering collaborative education for  underprivileged partnerships to connect children? Has access to devices or communities, families, schools, the Internet created inequities or has youth and higher education. It’s it democratized education by taking really a bridging strategy.  it out of the context of expensive infrastructure and time schedules,  Community schools are expanding so that everybody can learn from across the world. They are certainly anywhere at any time? How is the expanding exponentially in the trajectory going?   United States and I know that  they are also existing  in various parts of Laura Bronstein - My short Europe and  India, where the midday answer to your question is that the meal is the focus of the community pandemic has done both. In many school strategy. They bring resources ways,  it has enhanced the disparities to students that need them the most and emphasized them, but I also and can help schools and students to

48 | Let Us Dream Conference 2020 combat inter-generational poverty. I was fortunate to belong to  and raise So by bringing community resources my children too in a middle class like food, social and emotional family. When they were in school support, before and after school care and became ill, I could leave my work and access to health care to  students without fearing any loss of  wages who  are the most in need, we help to and take them to a physician. If they level the playing field of learning. We had mental health issues, I knew how are doing this in a pandemic, though  to access resources for them. I would we do it even when we do not have send them to summer camps, so they one.  were learning, climbing mountains,  playing sports and continuing to The majority of the children in the enrich themselves.  United States are now being raised in families that are classified as Students who do not have access to low income. If we want to support such opportunities are the ones who  students,  we need to pay attention come back to school in September. to economic disparities, which have Whether online or offline,  they are a direct correlation with academic much behind their middle-class outcomes. It is not that my IQ is peers. So what the community schools higher than yours and it won’t mean really do is to level the playing field,  that I would achieve more or belong  and put support in place for children to a middle-income family, while on whose families are not able to the other side, you might belong  to a provide for them directly. Currently, family with less  resources. The issue we have a regional network at BUCS, is going to be sitting in the same called Binghamton Community classroom facilitating each one of us Schools, where we support school to be able to absorb and learn again, coordinators in 10 school districts whether it is in a remote classroom and 23 school buildings.  We  bring or whether it is through an offline  together these community school classroom. How can we assist that coordinators regularly,  so that learning to make it  better for all?  they can share with each other the

Education Sector: Panel 2 | 49 different communities that they find. the Watson School of Engineering This involves the different needs are working with business offices to of various  students.  Again, this is help with computer mechanisms to outside the classroom, whether it is aid schools and also with students in-person or remote, through which  and families to access computers.  they  discuss the sharing of resources with each other about ways to assist The Binghamton University’s students.   student involvement not only increased the capacity for our We look at smaller cities and also school districts, but also served as rural communities, because they an invaluable experience for our are differences which enabled the university students to be able to coordinators to share across with volunteer in the community and each other. The community school learn how to support students across coordinators also support Master’s a range of economic situations. level social workers, training  them Given the challenges we are facing so that they can graduate with today, the university-assisted this model and other community community schools’ model is really resources, which help them to know more valuable than ever. Students best how to aid families, students and families are struggling  with and communities after university.  food insecurity, anxiety, depression The assisted community school and technological issues,  as a result model saw in this 2020 academic of this pandemic.  year over 500 university students from Binghamton University Our community’s school volunteering in  local schools as part of the community, across the coordinators have been involved in campus. Students who were studying Human Development Psychology food deliveries to the families. One or Social Work aided  with mental health support. Students studying in of our coordinators built a remote- controlled car, just  a small one early during  the pandemic, when families would come to school to access food.  As the students were not attending