From the Hood to Harvard: Cesar A. Cruz to Deliver Keynote Speech at the 2015 Responsive Classroom Leadership Conference

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Jun 24, 2015, 10:49 ET

TURNERS FALLS, Mass., June 24, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Center for Responsive Schools, Inc., developer of the Responsive Classroom approach, is pleased to share that César A. Cruz will deliver the keynote address at the 10^th Annual Responsive Classroom Leadership Conference. The conference will take place October 5 and 6, 2015 in Austin, Texas and will focus on "creating a climate for learning."

Cesar A. Cruz, veteran teacher, author, activist, and doctoral candidate at Harvard University, will deliver the keynote speech at the 2015 Responsive Classroom Leadership Conference.

César is a veteran teacher, author, and activist, as well as a doctoral candidate in the program for educational leadership at Harvard University. He has taught Ethnic Studies at Harvard and served as a development coach for students in the business school.

César is also the co-founder of the Homies Empowerment Program, serving gang impacted/involved youth in Oakland, CA, and oversaw the program for five years. He hopes to utilize his time at Harvard to find funding and support to launch an after-school center for Oakland youth in the areas of high gang violence.

César was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and migrated to the U.S. at a young age with his single mother and grandmother. He grew up in South Central Los Angeles and then moved to the Bay Area to study. César graduated with a B.A. in History from UC Berkeley and served as a teacher in California for 19 years. The short video, "From the Hood to Harvard", gives a glimpse into César's life and journey to Harvard.

"We are very excited that César Cruz has accepted our invitation to be the keynote speaker of the Responsive Classroom Leadership Conference," says Dr. Lora Hodges, Executive Director at Center for Responsive Schools. "César is a passionate educator who has devoted his life to youth advocacy. He brings tremendous insight into what it takes to create schools that work for all children, including those who are vulnerable and at risk of being marginalized, and that empower children to develop their unique strengths and gifts." The title of the keynote address, which will be delivered on Monday, October 5, is "Unpacking our Backpacks for Learning."

Registration for the 2015 Responsive Classroom Leadership Conference is open. The early-bird registration deadline with the reduced rate of $450 is July 10^th. The regular registration rate is $495 beginning July 11^th. Registration is available on the Responsive Classroom website https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/conference or by calling 800-360-6332 ext. 130.

ABOUT RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM
Responsive Classroom is a research-based approach to K–8 education that is associated with greater teacher effectiveness, higher student achievement, and improved school climate. It has been recognized by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as "one of the most well-designed, evidence-based social and emotional learning programs" and is currently being used in schools throughout the U.S. and in the international school community.

Center for Responsive Schools (CRS) offers Responsive Classroom on-site consulting services to schools and districts; workshops for educators in locations around the country and internationally; and a wide collection of books, videos, and other resources for teachers and administrators. Each year, CRS provides training for more than 10,000 teachers and administrators from over 40 states, the District of Columbia, and the international school community.

For more information, visit www.responsiveclassroom.org.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150624/225383

SOURCE Center for Responsive Schools, Inc.