Conversations with the Dean is a virtual webinar series led by BU Wheelock Dean Penny Bishop<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n All events are free and fully virtual, and most take place on Thursdays, 3\u20133:45 pm.<\/p>\n Conversations with the Dean has concluded for the 2025\u201326 academic year. Explore past conversations<\/a> or sign up for our e-newsletter<\/a> to stay up to date about upcoming webinars.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n Former NHL player Michael Condon and military veteran and firefighter Matthew Smith both understand what it means to pivot during critical moments. But some of their most meaningful turning points came after they had established careers in other fields and made the difficult decision to return to graduate school in pursuit of work that to them felt more authentic and purpose-driven. Join this candid conversation with Michael, Matthew, Dean Penny Bishop, and BU Wheelock faculty member Bobby Hiep Bui to explore embracing reinvention and building a life of purpose\u2014and to discover how you, too, might take the risk of creating a life and path that more fully reflects who you are.<\/p>\n Featuring\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n How do we protect the joy and development of young children in a climate of fear? As immigration enforcement intensifies and global instability grows, young children and their families are facing profound stress and fear. Panelists discuss advocacy efforts, culturally and linguistically responsive resources, and practical strategies for protecting the youngest and most vulnerable learners.<\/p>\n Featuring<\/strong><\/p>\n Explore the questions AI has raised about teaching and learning, and the importance of co-design in shaping how we consider the future of AI in education. The conversation will focus on educators, those designing learning experiences, and undergraduate students who are currently wrestling with these disruptions, emphasizing ethical and political considerations and holding those in conversation with insights about professional judgment in shaping how AI shows up in practice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Featuring:<\/p>\n Children\u2019s and young adult (YA) literature helps students navigate complex topics, learn strategies for thoughtful book selection, and allows them to see themselves in books. BU Wheelock experts will explore the importance of literacy education and why children’s literature deserves to be read and discussed.<\/p>\n Featuring:<\/p>\n It’s been 50 years since the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) became law, and the future of special education feels uncertain as federal funding and oversight face unprecedented challenges. Expert panelists will explore what\u2019s at risk\u2014and what educators can do to protect equitable access for all learners.<\/p>\n Featuring:<\/p>\n 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\u2014and what these changes mean for 5 million students learning English and the future of equitable education.<\/p>\n Featuring:<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Featuring:<\/p>\n New BU Wheelock research shows dramatic changes to student enrollment in Massachusetts in the five years since the onset of the pandemic.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n Featuring:<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Featuring:<\/p>\n June 12, 2025: Making the Case for Continued Federal Research<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2014from large-scale studies to niche research initiatives. Learn about the impactful projects they are working on\u2014and what\u2019s at stake if funding is reduced. Featuring:<\/p>\n Recording<\/a><\/p>\n May 7, 2025: Embracing Uncertainty to Deepen Science Learning<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2014starting in the classroom and continuing throughout our whole lives.<\/p>\n Featuring:<\/p>\n Recording<\/a><\/p>\n March 20, 2025: Creating Space for Students to Examine Race<\/strong><\/p>\n As educators in a multiracial democracy, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Featuring:<\/p>\n Recording<\/a><\/p>\n February 20, 2025: The First 100 Days<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u201312 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?<\/p>\n Featuring:<\/p>\n Recording<\/a><\/p>\n January 23, 2025: Strengthening School and District Leadership \u2013 The Key to Student Success<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Featuring:<\/p>\n Recording<\/a><\/p>\n December 19, 2024: Empowering Students to Plan for Their Futures<\/strong><\/p>\n By fostering social emotional skills, career exploration, and executive functioning, educators can support not only academic growth but also learners\u2019 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.<\/p>\n Featuring:<\/p>\n Recording<\/a><\/p>\n November 21, 2024: Empowering Learning Outside the Classroom<\/strong><\/p>\n Today\u2019s 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<\/em>.<\/p>\n Featuring:<\/p>\n Recording<\/a><\/p>\n <\/strong>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. <\/span><\/p>\n Featuring:<\/p>\n Recording<\/a><\/p>\n October 17, 2024: How AI Will Change Education<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Recording<\/a><\/p>\n Tuesday, October 8, 2024: New Year, New Potential<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2014especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds\u2014to thrive.<\/p>\n Recording<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n May 9, 2024: End of Term: Reflections from the Dean<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Resources<\/a> Recording<\/a><\/p>\n May 2, 2024: School Discipline and Policing<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Resources<\/a> Recording<\/a><\/p>\n April 4, 2024: The Changing Face of “Traditional” Teacher Preparation<\/strong><\/p>\n Resources<\/a> Recording<\/a><\/p>\n March 28, 2024: Creating a Sustained, Thriving Special Education Teacher Workforce\u2014What Will It Take?<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Resources<\/a> Recording<\/a><\/p>\n February 29, 2024: Helping Students Leverage STEM to Solve Big World Problems<\/strong><\/p>\n We are in an era of STEM obsession\u2013with billions of dollars being spent on STEM education\u2013and yet we continue to struggle to fill STEM careers. We’ll discuss centering meaningful learning and how to address some of our biggest challenges.<\/p>\n Resources<\/a> Recording<\/a><\/p>\n February 15, 2024: The Psychology of Excellence<\/strong><\/p>\n Explore sport psychology research that helps individuals and teams attain optimal levels of mental well-being and performance.<\/p>\n Resources<\/a> Recording<\/a><\/p>\n February 1, 2024: The Science of Reading: How the National Movement is Playing Out in Teacher Prep<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Resources<\/a> Recording<\/a><\/p>\n January 18, 2024: Critical Equity-Centric Research in Higher Education<\/strong><\/p>\n Explore research efforts centering racial equity and explore the evolving and challenging climate within higher education for antiracist scholarship.<\/p>\nUpcoming Events<\/h3>\n
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Previous Events<\/h3>\n
June 11, 2026: Pursuing Purpose through Career Change<\/h4>\n
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April 23, 2026: Protecting Young Children in Uncertain Times<\/h4>\n
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March 5, 2026: Reimagining Learning with AI<\/h4>\n
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February 26, 2026: The Importance of Inclusive Children’s Literature<\/h4>\n
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January 29, 2026: The Future of Special Education amid Federal Cuts<\/h4>\n
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December 11, 2025: The Future of English Learners in an “Official English” America<\/h4>\n
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November 20, 2025: Fair Student Loans: Research and Policy<\/h4>\n
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October 16, 2025: The Great Student Shift<\/h4>\n
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September 18, 2025: Positive Coaching, Lasting Impact<\/h4>\n
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2024\u201325 webinars<\/h6>
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2023\u201324 webinars<\/h6>
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