Continuing the partnership between the NJEA Consortium and The E Pluribus Unum Project, Inc. (TEPUP), NJEA is excited to announce the opportunity to witness an inspiring discussion on the integration of inclusivity and diversity in curricula.
Join award-winning, passionate educators on Tuesday, April 8, at 7 p.m. for a virtual panel discussion, Embracing Pluralism in Education: Building Inclusive and Diverse Curricula, as they describe their best practices in culturally responsive teaching, AP African American Studies and Asian American Studies. The panel will be followed by a training session for attendees on BOE advocacy for inclusive education. 1.5 hours of professional development credits will be offered by NJEA. Please register below.
Panelists include: Carla Cariño, Dr. Cindy Assini, Dakashna Lang, Dr. Jametta Clarke, Dr. Rosetta Treece and Theresa Maughan.
Meet the Panelists
Carla Cariño is a high school social studies educator who teaches 11th grade Civics, AP United States Government and Politics and Ethnic Studies at North High School in the Denver Public School District. She was one of the inaugural members of the Colorado Commissioner’s Teacher Cabinet, the state’s education commissioner’s teacher advisory board. She has also worked as a member of the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) Civics Standards Revision and Review Committee, the CDE DLRT recruitment and retention of teachers of color team, the Civics Curriculum Review Committee for Denver Public Schools, a social studies district team specialist and is currently focused on creating a liberated Ethnic Studies department at her school using frameworks such as Lyripeutics. She earned a BA in American Studies, a teaching certificate, and an MA in Instruction and Curriculum from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Her work with the RAP Lab has by far been some of the most important and meaningful work she has pursued during her 24 years in public education.
Dr. Cindy Assini is in her twentieth year in public education, serving as the K-12 Supervisor of Social Studies in the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District. Prior to that role, she taught social studies in Flemington and supervised curriculum in Hillsborough. She earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at Rutgers University. She participated in the ASCD Emerging Leaders program and currently serves as the vice president of the New Jersey Social Studies Supervisors Association. Her consulting roles have included working with various school districts, the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association and Princeton University. Outside of school, she loves traveling and spending time with her family, including two tiny humans and a beloved rescue mutt.
Dr. Dakashna Lang has been an English Teacher in Livingston, NJ for 21 years. She holds degrees in English and History from The Johns Hopkins University, a Doctor of Education in Literacy from Rutgers University and a Masters in Elementary Education from The University of Pennsylvania. She also has a Certificate of Educational Technology and a Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She has been a Teach Asian American Stories Fellow for AAPI NJ and a NJ Teacher Education Policy Fellow for JerseyCan. Winner of the EECA Racial Advocacy Award and the NJEA Judith Owens Spirit Award, she is a passionate advocate for social justice and equity in education. Dr. Lang actively provides professional development for teachers who are eager to integrate diverse voices into their classroom curriculum. Most importantly, she has happily and proudly lived in New Jersey for 43 years with her supportive family.
Dr. Jametta Clarke has over two decades of experience in shaping young minds. Her role as a social studies educator and social change agent has been a journey of continuous learning and growth. In addition to teaching African American Studies, she is also the Lawrence HS Gospel Choir Directress/Advisor, LHS Black Student Union Co-Advisor and LHS Black History Celebration Coordinator. She remains dedicated to fostering educational environments where diverse perspectives thrive, aligning with a clear vision for inclusive, quality education.
Dr. Rosetta Treece has been an educator for 20 years. During her time in public school education, she has served as a high school English teacher, vice principal, principal and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Treece is the Superintendent of Schools for Hopewell Valley Regional School District. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the College of New Jersey earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Secondary Education. She holds a master’s degree in Educational Administration and earned her Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from Rowan University. Her doctoral thesis was on how to promote emotional intelligence in adolescents. Dr. Treece is an Advanced Nurtured Heart Trainer and a Peer Leader. She is an Attitudes in Reverse (A.I.R.) therapy dog handler and a mental health champion. She is committed to preparing teachers, support staff and school leaders to create learning environments that are culturally responsive and that cultivate resiliency in young adults.
Theresa Maughan has been teaching for 43 years. She is currently teaching the AP African American Studies course and infuses African American history throughout the curriculum. She is a Presenter for the NJ Amistad Commission (2023/2024 Teacher Summer Institute / 2022,2023,2024 NJEA Convention) StoryCorps Teacher Advisory Panel, NJ History Day/National History Day Presenter- NJ African American History. She won the NJ State Teacher of the Year in 2022 and the 2023 NJEA Horace Mann award for Teaching Excellence.