Breakout Sessions #2

Session Title: Freedom in Her Voice: Closing the confidence gap and developing female leaders

Session Description:

Between the ages of 8 and 14, girls’ confidence levels fall by 30 percent. At 14, when girls are hitting their low, boys’ confidence is still 27 percent higher. Damour, psychologist and author, asks a critical question “What if school is a confidence factory for our sons, but only a competence factory for our daughters?” Middle and High schools are at the forefront of building self- esteem, instilling confidence, and influencing girls’ beliefs in their abilities which continues into college and work environments.

During this interactive session, awareness of gender bias will be heightened with a greater understanding of how bias and stereotypes affect girls’ confidence. With a gendered world shaping our beliefs and behaviors, different standards and expectations are set for boys and girls - ultimately affecting how capability is defined, success is achieved, and female voices are interpreted and heard. When gender bias is reduced, confidence and competence are on equal playing ground, girls and women are better positioned to achieve their aspirations. By the end of the session, participants will experience a breakthrough by seeing gender bias more often, have skills to counteract it, and a plan to build girls and women’s confidence. Ultimately, be an active participant in achieving gender equality. 

Speakers:

Mary Axelsen, Vice President, EnviroLogix

Students from Olympia Snowe Leadership Institute, Biddeford High School

--

Session Title: Education Inside and Outside the Bars in Maine

Session Description:

This session will offer a discussion around the current programs and services that exist to educate incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals in Maine, national best practices and educational initiatives, and what's needed to bring educational opportunities to Mainers with justice system involvement.

Speakers:

Mara Sanchez, Policy Associate, University of Southern Maine

Ryan Thornell, Deputy Commissioner, Maine Department of Corrections

Joseph Jackson, Coordinator, Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition

Abdulkadir Ali, Opportunity Scholars Initiative, University of Southern Maine

Katherine Darling, Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of Maine at Augusta

--

Session Title: Development of Partners for Children: Business and School Collaboration

Session Description:

In this session, participants will hear about the creation of the Partners for Children toolkit, a business and school initiative. They will hear from partners who came together around their common goals of helping kids get a strong start, creating and piloting the toolkit. Facilitators will walk participants through the idea stages of the initiative, development of the toolkit, implementation of the toolkit, reflections on the first year and adjustments made in consideration of the pandemic. Planned programming is focused on students needing extra learning support.

Speakers:  

Jennifer Burns, Senior Director of Education, United Way of Greater Portland

Angela Atkinson Duina, Assistant Professor, University of Southern Maine

Alexis Jones, Principal, Brown Elementary School

Lisa Morrissette, Director of Marketing, Dead River Company

--

Session Title: Business Partnerships and Workforce Development

Session Description:

In this session participants will learn about a unique workforce training partnership fostered between industry and Destination Occupation. Participants will hear about the Recruit, Train, Hire and Repeat program (Right THeRe program) and this holistic approach to identifying employer needs within the manufacturing industry in Maine. Other elements explored include working with other workforce entities to advance the Right THeRe model including: Career Centers, Goodwill, Fedcap, Aspire Program, Corrections, Vocational Rehabilitation, Adult Education and more. The audience will hear stories from employers and students on the value of this approach to recruitment, training and hiring.

Speakers:

Lisa G Martin, Executive Director, Manufacturers Association of Maine

Rachel Knight, Founder and CEO, Destination Occupation

Bret Watson, President, Jotul North America

Student panelists TBD

--

Session Title: Make It Happen! College Readiness for English Language Learners and Multilingual Students

Session Description:

Make It Happen! is a college readiness program designed for high school English language learner students. Students who attend Portland’s three high schools work closely with Site Coordinators, volunteers, and community partners to build competitive academic profiles for college admission and learn how to navigate and access financial aid. In addition, Make it Happen! students are encouraged to take challenging classes, improve their standardized test scores, engage in leadership activities, community service, and career readiness opportunities. At this session you will learn about Make It Happen! and how it works. Current and former students will talk about their experience with the program at Portland Public Schools and share their visions for the future.

Speakers:

Timothy Cronin, Program Director, Make It Happen!, Portland Public Schools

Grace Valenzuela, Executive Director, Communications and Community Partnerships, Portland Public Schools

Danielle L Wong, Site Coordinator, Portland Public Schools

Graduates of Portland Public Schools Make It Happen! Program

Daniela Aryaie, Student at University of Southern Maine

--

Session Title: Aroostook Treaty Education Center: Connecting to Maine’s Indigenous Cultures & Communities

Session Description:

This session will focus on the continuing impact of the 1776 Treaty of Alliance and Friendship between the Wabanaki Nations and the United States of America in Maine. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the Maliseet tribal perspective on our shared history and learn about the opportunities for schools and communities to collaborate and support connections to foster learning experiences for descendants and beneficiaries of the 1776 Treaty.

Speakers:

Henry John Bear, Maliseet Tribal Representative

--

Session Title: The Future of Higher Education

Session Description:

This session features a presentation from author/professor/entrepreneur Scott Galloway, a national thought leader in how higher education must adapt to meet the demands of our time. A top-ranked professor, author, and entrepreneur, Galloway is the founder of several firms and was elected to the World Economic Forum's "Global Leaders of Tomorrow," which recognized 100 individuals under the age of 40 "whose accomplishments have had impact on a global level." Come hear his take and join in for a Q&A at the end.

Speakers:

Scott Galloway, Author & Professor, New York University Stern School of Business; Founder, Section4