Greater Philadelphia Diversity Collaborative’s 4th

PreSchool – 2nd Grade Educators Diversity Summit (P2EDS)

Starting Small, Thinking Big: Building Inclusive Foundations for Learning

Saturday, April 18, 2026
Hosted at The School in Rose Valley

Our 4th biennial PreSchool – 2nd Grade Educators Diversity Summit is is geared toward educators of our youngest students, and we also welcome all educators and administrators, members and non-members of GPDC! Our keynote speaker will be Liza Talusan, educator, nationally recognized speaker, and author of The Identity Conscious Educator: Building Habits and Skills for a More Inclusive School. Registration is open NOW.

The Goal

It is the goal of the GPDC that by participating in this event, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their peers as anti-racist educators while exploring issues of diversity, equity, and identity as they relate to the world of their young students. The goals of the day are:

  • To address why it is important to start discussing identity, diversity, and social justice and equity in schools as early as possible
  • To empower attendees with various proactive, engaging, and age-appropriate tools and resources for the classroom that address the authentic diversity of our world and help strengthen behaviors that uphold its value
  • To provide opportunities for discussion, sharing, and support

Next Steps

  • Ready to go? Register today to reserve your spot for this incredible event. Click here to get started.
  • The GPDC invites teachers, school administrators, staff, and teaching artists to submit proposals to lead a 45-minute workshop for 15-20 peers. Submit your proposal here.
  • Get involved! Sponsor our event in many different ways. Click here to get started & learn more about how a sponsorship will benefit your business.

Keynote: Liza A. Talusan, Ph.D.

Author, Strategic Partner, Leader

Dr. Liza Talusan is an educator, a leadership coach, and a nationally recognized speaker who helps organizations build inclusive, equity-centered cultures. With over 25 years of experience in education and organizational leadership, she facilitates powerful conversations on identity, bias, and change that lead to meaningful action. Dr. Liza Talusan is the author of The Identity Conscious Educator: Building Habits and Skills for a More Inclusive School.

Day of Summit Event Timeline

8:00 am – 9:00 am Check-In and Continental Breakfast (Terrace/Picnic Grove)
8:15 am – 8:50 am Morning Activities: Woodshop, Garden tour, Book Exhibit etc.
9:00 am – 10:00 am Welcome and Keynote (Grace)
10:15 am –11:15 am Morning Workshops
11:30 am – 12:15 pm Enjoy Homemade Lunch (Picnic Grove)
12:15 pm – 1:00 pm Activities: Hike to Bamboo Island, Guided Tour of SRV, Book Exhibit
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Afternoon Workshops
2:15 pm – 3:00 pm Reflection, Music performance & Closing

Testimonial

“I went to this two years ago and it was easily the best, most worthwhile, JEDI education-related event I’ve ever participated in. Specifically geared towards early childhood, and most of the presenters/participants were from small, independent schools. I highly recommend!”

Lisa Dainton, Kindergarten, MPFS

Questions?

Contact:

See this info at the P2EDS webpage c/o The School in Rose Valley