Conversations with the Dean is a virtual webinar series led by BU Wheelock Dean Penny Bishop that dig in to timely topics with leading experts in their fields. These casual, discussion-style events create space for meaningful dialogue and real-world insights, and are open to all who are interested in the future of education and human development. Most sessions take place on Thursdays, 3–3:45 pm.
All events are free and fully virtual. Explore past conversations or sign up for our e-newsletter to stay up to date about upcoming webinars.
November 20, 2025: Fair Student Loans: Research and Policy
Explore student debt forgiveness programs and overlooked state initiatives. Our panel will discuss accessibility barriers, systemic inequities, and policy solutions to better support historically marginalized groups and offer valuable insights for families, educators, and policymakers navigating the $1.7 trillion student debt crisis.
Featuring:
- Jerry Whitmore, Jr., Assistant Professor, Higher Education Administration, BU Wheelock
- Nina L. Cesare, Research Scientist, Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center, BU School of Public Health
Register for 11/20
December 11, 2025: The Future of English Learners in an “Official English” America
Now that English has been declared by executive order as the official U.S. language, federal protections and funding for English learners are rapidly eroding. Explore the shifting policies, legal challenges, and classroom realities—and what these changes mean for 5 million students learning English and the future of equitable education.
Register for 12/11
Previous Events
Conversations with the Dean have covered a wide range of topics, from school district leadership to the impact of AI on education. Check out some of our past Conversations with the Dean.
October 16, 2025: The Great Student Shift
New BU Wheelock research shows dramatic changes to student enrollment in Massachusetts in the five years since the onset of the pandemic. Enrollment is down 2% in public schools, up 16% in private schools, and up 50% in home schools. In addition, public school losses are largest in high income districts, among White and Asian families, and in middle grades. We’ll discuss the implications of these findings for school systems, still facing a number of post-pandemic challenges.
- Joshua Goodman, Associate Professor, Education and Economics, BU Wheelock
- Stacy Scott, Senior Lecturer, Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, BU Wheelock
- Mary Bourque, (Wheelock’99,’08) Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.)
Recording
September 18, 2025: Positive Coaching, Lasting Impact
Positive coaching builds trust, develops character, and supports student-athlete success. We’ll explore key principles in sports leadership, including integrity, discipline, and respect. Learn best practices for creating a safe, professional environment where coaches lead with purpose and positively impact student-athletes on and off the field.
Featuring:
- John McCarthy, Clinical Associate Professor and Director, Institute for Athletic Coach Education, BU Wheelock
- Rebecca Shangraw, Senior Lecturer, Applied Human Development, BU Wheelock
Recording
2024–25 webinars
June 12, 2025: Making the Case for Continued Federal Research
Education research drives innovation, informs decision-making, and promotes equity. BU Wheelock faculty will explore the value of federally funded research and how it shapes real-world outcomes—from large-scale studies to niche research initiatives. Learn about the impactful projects they are working on—and what’s at stake if funding is reduced.
Featuring:
- Elizabeth Bettini, Associate Professor, Special Education, BU Wheelock
- Naomi Caselli, Director, BU AI & Education Initiative, and Associate Professor, Deaf Education, BU Wheelock
- Leslie Dietiker, Associate Dean, Research, and Associate Professor, Mathematics Education, BU Wheelock
Recording
May 7, 2025: Embracing Uncertainty to Deepen Science Learning
We all walk around wondering why things are the way they are and how things work: How do clouds float if they are a million pounds? And how do planes fly through them? Sensemaking in light of uncertainty can be leveraged for powerful learning. We’ll explore how uncertainty works and how to build from questions to powerful sensemaking—starting in the classroom and continuing throughout our whole lives.
Featuring:
- Eve Manz, Associate Professor, Science Education, BU Wheelock
- TJ McKenna, Clinical Assistant Professor, Science Education, and Director, Center for STEM Professional Learning at Scale, BU Wheelock
Recording
March 20, 2025: Creating Space for Students to Examine Race
As educators in a multiracial democracy, it’s essential to equip youth with the skills to engage in dialogue, think critically, and solve problems. This session will provide practical strategies for navigating the crucial work of antiracist teaching and celebrate the efforts of teachers empowering students to advocate for social justice and build a more inclusive world.
Featuring:
- Christina Dobbs, associate professor and program director, English education for equity & justice, BU Wheelock
- Tina Durand, clinical associate professor and program director, PhD in Counseling Psychology & Applied Human Development, BU Wheelock
Recording
February 20, 2025: The First 100 Days
The recent US presidential election was marked by many divisive conversations, including some that stoked uncertainty about the future of education, both at the K–12 and higher education levels. Equally at stake have been policies promoting equity and diversity and protections for LGBTQ+, immigrant, and other students. Now that the new administration is in place, what can we discern about changes that have already or seem likely to happen?
Featuring:
Recording
January 23, 2025: Strengthening School and District Leadership – The Key to Student Success
High-quality school and district leadership is a critical driver of student success. Explore how research and practice intersect to develop effective leaders, and learn about strategies for strengthening leadership, including actionable insights to implement in your own school or district.
Featuring:
- Olivia Chi, assistant professor, BU Wheelock
- Jalene Tamerat, senior lecturer and director, Carol Johnson Leadership Fellowship, BU Wheelock
Recording
December 19, 2024: Empowering Students to Plan for Their Futures
By fostering social emotional skills, career exploration, and executive functioning, educators can support not only academic growth but also learners’ self-awareness and identity formation. A panel of experts explored the ways educators can support positive youth development in school settings and discussed MyCAP (My Career and Academic Plan), a holistic, multi-year planning tool that engages students in planning for their futures.
Featuring:
- Scott Solberg, professor, BU Wheelock, and Director, Center for Future Readiness
- Erin Jaques, assistant director, College & Career Advising Programs, K–12, Boston Public Schools
- Sugeily Santos, Grades 7–8 school counselor, Curley K–8
- Jodi Then, high school counselor, Boston Green Academy
Recording
November 21, 2024: Empowering Learning Outside the Classroom
Today’s digital technologies have the potential to transform and enhance learning opportunities for children, particularly those from underrepresented communities. The panelists explore the innovative strategies used in digital education, drawing from their experience working on projects such as PBS KIDS’ series, Lyla in the Loop.
Featuring:
- Nermeen Dashoush, clinical associate professor, early childhood, BU Wheelock
- Nneka Bolden, senior digital producer and partnerships director, Mighty Picnic
Recording
November 1, 2024: High Standards? High Stakes?
This November, Massachusetts voters will be asked to consider putting an end to the state requirement that students pass a 10th grade MCAS assessment to graduate. The panel discussion will outline the case on both sides, as well as address the underlying issues driving the statewide effort.
Featuring:
Recording
October 17, 2024: How AI Will Change Education
Join a discussion that will explore how BU Wheelock and Quincy Public Schools are working together to mitigate a reactive response and incorporate AI in the classroom in proactive and thoughtful ways.
- Naomi Caselli, director, BU AI & Education Initiative, and associate professor, BU Wheelock
- Michael Marani, director of curriculum, Quincy Public Schools
Recording
Tuesday, October 8, 2024: New Year, New Potential
For the very first webinar of the year, get to know Dean Penny Bishop and learn more about her background as an educator and her vision for BU Wheelock. Dean Bishop and Anthony Jack will reflect on some of the issues and concerns many educators face, including exploring the best ways to help all students—especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds—to thrive.
- Penny Bishop, dean, BU Wheelock
- Anthony Jack, faculty director, Newbury Center, and associate professor, higher education leadership
Recording
2023–24 webinars
May 9, 2024: End of Term: Reflections from the Dean
For a very special final webinar, the tables will be turned on Dean Chard as he is interviewed about his experiences as dean of BU Wheelock before he steps down.
- David Chard, dean and professor
- Mary L. Churchill, associate dean, Strategic Initiatives & Community Engagement; program director, Higher Education Administration; and professor of the practice
Resources Recording
May 2, 2024: School Discipline and Policing
With increasing evidence about the disproportionate impact of discipline decisions and the profound equity implications associated with the school-to-prison pipeline, studying efforts to get it right are critically important to making sure a safe and supportive school environment is fostered for all students.
- Christopher Cleveland, research assistant professor, Educational Leadership & Policy Studies
- Jennifer Greif Green, professor, Special Education
Resources Recording
April 4, 2024: The Changing Face of “Traditional” Teacher Preparation
- Meagan Comb, assistant dean, executive affairs, and executive director, Wheelock Educational Policy Center
- Eleonora Villegas-Reimers, clinical professor and chair, Teaching & Learning Department
Resources Recording
March 28, 2024: Creating a Sustained, Thriving Special Education Teacher Workforce—What Will It Take?
While students in need of special education services currently make up about 15% of all public-school enrollments, teachers with special education expertise are in short supply. We’ll discuss the factors contributing to the shortage, as well as possible solutions.
Resources Recording
February 29, 2024: Helping Students Leverage STEM to Solve Big World Problems
We are in an era of STEM obsession–with billions of dollars being spent on STEM education–and yet we continue to struggle to fill STEM careers. We’ll discuss centering meaningful learning and how to address some of our biggest challenges.
Resources Recording
February 15, 2024: The Psychology of Excellence
Explore sport psychology research that helps individuals and teams attain optimal levels of mental well-being and performance.
- Edson Filho, associate professor and director, Performance, Recovery & Optimization (PRO) Lab
Resources Recording
February 1, 2024: The Science of Reading: How the National Movement is Playing Out in Teacher Prep
Explore the national dialogue on teaching children to read and the impact it is having here in Massachusetts. BU Wheelock experts discuss how to improve reading outcomes while at the same time instilling a joy of reading.
- Katherine Frankel, associate professor and chair, Language & Literacy Education
- Nancy J. Nelson, assistant professor, Special Education, and deputy director, National Center on Improving Literacy (NCIL) and Lead for Literacy Center
Resources Recording
January 18, 2024: Critical Equity-Centric Research in Higher Education
Explore research efforts centering racial equity and explore the evolving and challenging climate within higher education for antiracist scholarship.
Resources Recording
December 14: College is for Everybody: Creating Welcoming Campuses
A discussion about the systems that support first-generation college students within higher education.
- Anthony Jack, associate professor and faculty director, Newbury Center
Resources Recording
November 30: Early Childhood Investment
Explore Massachusetts’ major new investments in early childhood education. Where is that money going—and what changes can we expect to come from it?
- Stephanie Curenton, professor and director, Center on the Ecology of Early Development (CEED)
- Amy O’Leary, instructor and executive director, Strategies for Children
Resources Recording
