🎤 Call for Spotlight Speakers

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Educators Anti-Racism Conference – Vaughan, Ontario | February 5, 2027

Theme: Intentionally Transforming Schools through Joy, Curiosity, and Courage

Back by popular demand, Spotlight Talks are returning to the Educators Anti-Racism Conference! This year we’re looking for educators AND students!

We’re looking for inspiring, solutions-focused student and educator teams to share short-form Spotlight Talks about what they are doing to center joy, courage, and curiosity in schools and classrooms.

We want to hear about real ideas being put into practice. Talks should spotlight a promising practice, initiative, approach, or solution that strengthens belonging, challenges racism and inequity, or helps students feel seen, valued, and empowered. Presentations may highlight work happening at the classroom, school, or school board level.

Each proposal MUST INCLUDE at least one student/youth and one adult presenting together. Youth are considered anyone under the age of 25. Student voice should be an integral part of the talk, with students and educators sharing the stage as partners in the work.

We welcome Spotlight Talks that show how schools are being intentionally transformed through joy, curiosity and courage. Topics may include: identity-affirming learning, joyful and inclusive classroom or school wide practices, student-led anti-racism or anti-discrimination initiatives, shared decision-making practices, meaningful Indigenous education, restorative and healing-centred approaches, engaging families and communities as partners, and policies or practices that shift inequitable school cultures.

Above all, we are looking for talks that leave participants thinking: “This is something we could learn from, adapt, or try in our own school!”

Spotlight Talk Details

Three Spotlight Talks will be selected for the 2027 conference. Each talk will be approximately 8-10 minutes and delivered live on February 5, 2027, in Vaughan, Ontario.

Selected students/educators will receive a $300 honorarium for each team.

Connection – to the theme and with a focus on anti-racism, identity, or belonging 
  • Impact – what changed, shifted or improved as a result 
  • Engagement & Creativity – tell a story! 
Deadline for submissions: November 15, 2026
Presenters will be selected by: End of November 2026

Questions? Contact Janelle Yanishewski at jyanishewski@harmony.ca

đź“ť Speaker Proposal Form

Educator/Adult Name
If you have more than one adult/educator presenter include their details in the 'Additional Information' section at the bottom of this form.
Student/Youth Name
If you have more than one student presenter include their details in the 'Additional Information' section at the bottom of this form.
(Keep it short and engaging—like a headline that grabs attention.)
Examples might include anti-Black racism, anti-Asian racism, Indigenous education, cultural or racial identity, 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion, faith and religion, student voice and power sharing, identity-affirming curriculum, restorative approaches, responding to hate and harmful language, family/community engagement, or other approaches to building belonging and transforming school culture.
What have you actually tried together that another educator or school could learn from? Tell us what you’d like to talk about! Describe your key idea, what challenge it addresses, and how your solution or approach is making an impact in your school or community.

We appreciate all applications and wish we could feature everyone, but we can only include 3 Spotlight Talks at the conference.

We will notify all applicants by the end of November.