ECOC 2026 Annual Summit - Adult Sessions
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ECOC 2026 Annual Summit - Adult Sessions
"For there is always light...if only we're brave enough to be it." — Amanda Gorman
February 21, 2026
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Trojan Arena
Fountain, CO
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The Summit is more than a conference—it’s an opportunity to be inspired, empowered, and invested in.  This year, Summit brings together dynamic speakers from across the country for engaging, high-energy presentations that speak to educators, juvenile justice and child welfare professionals, students, families, and community members alike. Whether you work directly with young people or are a student exploring your own future, The Summit offers meaningful conversations, practical insight, and inspiration for everyone in the room. And this year, Educating Children of Color will award $63,000 in scholarships and educational gifts, as well 20 laptops, to support students on their educational journeys.

Join us for a day of connection, learning, and motivation—where ideas are shared, voices are uplifted, and futures are shaped.

Agenda
Saturday, February 21
8:00 AM
8:00 AM
Event Start
9:00 AM - 9:10 AM
9:00 AM - 9:10 AM
Opening Ceremony-Trojan Arena
Ashley Cornelius, Pikes Peak Poet Laureate Cynthia Jacquet, President Educating Children of Color
9:10 AM - 9:50 AM
9:10 AM - 9:50 AM
Keynote with Dr. Loren Michaels Harris - A Lantern in the Hallway
Dr. Loren Michaels Harris will inspire with this keynote about the quiet, faithful light that guides us through the in-between spaces.
9:50 AM - 10:00 AM
9:50 AM - 10:00 AM
Break
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Addressing Trauma through the Arts
Believe in their Genius: Teach as if ALL children of Color are GIFTED!
Combating Apathy Through Classroom Culture
Compartiendo Mis Raices: Honoring Culture, Language, and Identity in a Western World
Recommended for CLDE participants.
De-Colonizing College and Finding your Humanity in the Humanities: BIPOCs in Art and Literature
Recommended for college students.
Forced Out: The Erasure of Black Girls in Education
LAW SCHOOL...Yes We Can!
Recommended for college students and parents.
Lighting the Path: Brave Strategies to Spark STEM Career Dreams for Every Student
Raising Visionaries: How to Build Culturally Grounded, Emotionally Strong, Future-Ready Youth
Recommended for parents, as well as professionals.
Resting in Resilience: Practices for Becoming the Light We Carry
Teaching Beyond the Classroom: Building Focused and Resilient Students
Thinking Outside the Box: Understanding Neurodiversity and Advocacy
Understanding Algorithms, Influencers, and the Digital World of Teens
Recommended for parents.
Unpacking Curriculum Violence: An Exploration of Identifying And Understanding Equity in Curriculum
Writing as Though Your Life Depends on It
11:00 AM - 11:10 AM
11:00 AM - 11:10 AM
Break
11:10 AM - 12:05 PM
11:10 AM - 12:05 PM
Plenary: Maintaining Hope in Hard Times: Racial Justice and the Battle for Public Education with Tim Wise
12:05 PM - 12:15 PM
12:05 PM - 12:15 PM
Break
12:15 PM - 1:05 PM
12:15 PM - 1:05 PM
Lunch
1:05 PM - 2:05 PM
1:05 PM - 2:05 PM
"The Invisible Backpack: Unpacking Educator Implicit Bias to Foster Equitable Classrooms"
Changemakers: Being the Change
Recommended for college students.
Conquering Procrastination
From Answers to Arguments: Cultivating Deep Mathematical Reasoning About Patterns and Rules
From Clutter to Calm: Organizing for Stability and Success
Future Forward: Building Confidence, Skills, and Visibility Before You Graduate*
Recommended for college students.
How Trusted Adults Can Create Safer Environments for LGBTQIA2+ Students
Intergenerational changemakers: A how to guide for student agency and advocacy
Intersectionality: People of Color and the Deaf Community
Protect You Assets
Recommended for college students and parents.
Raising Advocates: How Personal Experiences Shape our Roles as Teachers and Parents
Recommended for parents, as well professionals.
Recharge & Restore: Men's Mental Health and Wellness for Educators
Teaching Multilinguals in the Mainstream Classroom
Recommended for CLDE participants.
Teen Dating Violence: It's Here, and It's Happening
Recommended for parents.
The S.M.I.L.E. Factor: Identity, Integrity, and Impact for Emerging Leaders
Recommended for college students or early-career professionals.
2:05 PM - 2:15 PM
2:05 PM - 2:15 PM
Break
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
Anti-bias and Asset-based Approach to Education
Be the Light: Culturally Responsive Strategies to Empower Multilingual Learners
Recommended for CLDE participants.
Brave Enough to Log In: Ownership, Safety, and Creativity in a Digital Community
Recommended for college students.
Community Healing Converations
Equity at the center: Why human trafficking disproportionately affects communities of color and how to address systemic inequalities in our response.
Opening Doors to Deeper Reading of Challenging Texts
Practicing and Learning to Love this One Precious Life
Raising Brave Leaders: Supporting Resilience, Confidence, and Growth at Home
Recommended for parents.
Rhythm and Groove Line Dance
Safe, Seen, Supported: How School Officials Can Champion LGBTQ+ Students Today
The Courage to Raise the Bar: Creating a Culture of Engagement and Excellence
The Light Already Exists: Supporting Family, Friend, and Neighbor Care Networks
Recommended for college students and parents.
The Ownership Shift: Moving Students From Excuses to Execution
The Return of The J.E.D.I. (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion)
3:15 PM - 3:25 PM
3:15 PM - 3:25 PM
Transition to Arena
4:00 PM
4:00 PM
Event End
Speakers
Head of Partnerships and Project Management
Harrison School District 2
Licensed Professional Counselor, Poet Laureate
Denver Health
Educator
School District 11
Executive Director and Founder
SOAR Colorado
Educator
Manitou Springs High School
Agency Vice President/Financial Educator
Five Rings Financial
Education Administrator
Greene Street Friends, Philadelphia Pre-School-8
Transformational Speaker
Michael Dorsey International
Emeritus Professor of Literature
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Life/Business Coach
Keynote Speaking Services
Professor of Human Development and Special Education
University of the District of Columbia
Physician/Motivational Speaker
Chicago Theological Seminary/INSPIRE
High School Principal
Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy
Assistant Professor of Indigenous/Native American Studies
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Educational Leader
Educator
Communication Professor and Leadership Trainer
Assistant Principal and STEM Advocate
STEMVise 360 LLC
President and CEO
Urban Colors Fatherhood Experience
Director of Student and Family Support
Spruce Community School
Educator, ESL TOSA
Academy School District 20
K-8 ESL Teacher
Academy School District 20
6th Grader and Student Ambassador
St. Ailbe Catholic School
Educator and Community Advocate
John Adams Elementary School
Educator and Consultant
Colorado State District Court Judge and Federal Military Judge
School Advocate
Inside Out Youth Services
Educator
Cheyenne Mountain High School
Educator and Activist
Human Rights Advocate
Founder/ CEO
Operation Child Care Project
Manager of Training and Education
The Laboratory
Author
Educator
Aldine ISD Houston,Tx
Founder and CEO
Realized Curriculum Solutions
Founder of Veteran's Digital Ally
Veteran's Digital Ally
Educator
Co-Founder
MPP
Partner/Attorney
Setter Roche Smith & Shellenberger, LLP.
Founder
Impactful Organizing
Founder and Executive Director
Theatre Across Borders
Education and Outreach Advocate
TESSA
Founder and Owner
Fitness with Natilia
Associate Director of Operations & Strategy
SOAR Colorado
Outreach Coordinator
Inside Out Youth Services
Prevention and Policy Specialist
El Paso County Public Health Department
Educator
Colorado Springs, Charter Academy
Chief Executive Officer
Aligned Living for Women
Editor in Chief
Possible Woman Magazine
Programs and Operations Manager
Citizens Project
Executive Director
Citizens Project
Educator/CLDE Instructor
Summit Language Academy, LLC
Prevention Education and Outreach Coordinator
TESSA
ASL Instructor
Colorado State University Pueblo
Founder and Executive Director
Beacon House of Hope
American Activist and Writer
Speak Out

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LOCATION
Trojan Arena, 10725 Trojan Point, Fountain, CO 80817
Map
Location: Trojan Arena, 10725 Trojan Point, Fountain, CO 80817

DATE

February 21, 2026

LOCATION

Trojan Arena
Fountain, CO
Trojan Arena, 10725 Trojan Point, Fountain, CO 80817

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