RSU 21 Back-To-School Symposium: Event highlights equity, diversity, inclusion

KENNEBUNK, Maine — Hundreds of staff members from across all RSU 21’s schools and departments gathered at Kennebunk High School for a day of unity and professional development on Monday for the district’s fourth-annual Back-To-School Symposium.

This year’s theme was “Stand Up, Lift Up: Rising together in equity, inclusion, and diversity.”

“Our theme isn’t just a catchy phrase. It's a cry for a better future,” said Superintendent Terri Cooper in her opening remarks. “Because every student deserves to thrive, regardless of their background. Diversity isn't just a buzzword - it's our strength. Inclusion isn't just nice - it's necessary. And equity isn't just fair - it's fundamental to excellence.”

The event featured two keynote speakers in the morning and sixteen breakout sessions in the afternoon for attendees to choose from.

Tracey Benson, the first keynote speaker, discussed how educators can confront implicit, or unconscious, bias in everyday life. Benson is the CEO of the AntiRacism Leadership Institute and specializes in addressing structural and systemic biases and racism in K-12 education.

Steve Pemberton, the second keynote speaker, took the audience through his inspiring life story, beginning with his childhood as an orphan living in a foster home in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Pemberton spoke to the importance of educators “being a lighthouse for the students” as his teachers were for him, guiding him through the college application process and eventually helping him break free of the foster system.

“He made our work feel important,” one attendee said in the Symposium evaluation.

The afternoon breakout sessions featured speakers from around Maine and New England as well as RSU 21 staff with a diverse array of subjects. Topics included discussions on incorporating artificial intelligence into the classroom and lesson planning, school safety tips from local police and fire departments, and innovative ways teachers can address challenging behaviors in the classroom.

The RSU 21 Symposium is held at the beginning of every school year to unite the entire staff body and offer high-quality professional development to enrich skill sets across all job functions. Part of the event was funded by a grant from the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: RSU 21 Back-To-School Symposium: Event highlights equity, diversity, inclusion