

The World's Premiere Alternative Education Conference
An event that brings together all who are interested in learner-centered, Learner directed alternatives. This three-day virtual event will features, keynotes, action-oriented workshops, mini-talks, pop-up sessions, networking, and more! It will be organized by youth and adults with an emphasis on youth.
We invite all who are interested in Learner - Centered, Learner - Directed Alternatives To Join Us!

2022
Keynote Speakers





Ulcca began her career as an elementary school teacher in Newark Public Schools. She then spent two years as a Program Fellow at the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, where she had her first experience of the power of philanthropy to convene thought leaders, support community-based organizations and influence policy systems. Over the last twenty years she has gained experience across the non-profit, public, and philanthropic sectors, in the US and abroad, leading programs, conducting research and crafting policy. She has worked with educators, students, communities, business and civic leaders to support developmentally-aligned, human-centered learning experiences that unlock the unique potential of individual learners regardless of their background, circumstances, cognitive or physical differences. She is especially committed to bringing a racial justice and equity lens to the expansion of this educational approach.
In her most recent roles as Chief Strategy Officer at Boundless and Vice President at Education Reimagined, she built partnerships between schools, districts, non-profits and higher education institutions committed to expanding access to relationship-based, relevant and real-world learning experiences in the PK-12 and post-secondary spaces. As Vice President of the Public Education and Business Coalition she expanded the Colorado Teacher Residency to become the first residency-based preparation program in the country to serve both urban and rural districts. She also redesigned the residency curriculum, grounding new teachers in the fields of learning science, human development and human well-being.
An internationally-recognized expert on educational transformation at the level of instruction, assessment, organizational design and policy systems, Ulcca has addressed audiences at conferences including World EduLead, SxSW Education and Aurora Institute’s annual forum, and is a two-time TEDx speaker. Her new book, The Future of Smart, was released in September 2021. The book traces the deep roots of America’s dominant approach to education, illuminates why so many reform and innovation efforts over the last three decades have fallen short of our aspirations for children and proposes a path forward.
Ulcca holds a BA in Philosophy and German from Drew University where she was also licensed as an early childhood/elementary teacher with a focus on special education. She earned her Ph.D. in Education and Philosophy from Oxford University and a JD from Harvard Law School. She has been recognized nationally for her work in education as a Harry S. Truman Scholar; a British Marshall Scholar; and a Paul and Daisy Soros Fellow. Ulcca and her family are based in Denver, CO where her two sons attend Denver Public Schools.

Where Children Both Grow & Lead.
AERO's goal is to advance student-driven, learner-centered approaches to education. AERO is the primary hub of communications and support for educational alternatives around the world. One of AERO's areas of expertise is democratic process and democratic education, but equally important is the networking of all forms of educational alternatives. Towards this end, AERO provides information, resources and guidance to families, schools and organizations regarding their educational choices. AERO disseminates information internationally on topics such as: homeschooling, public and private alternative schools, and charter schools.
Workshops

****SPEAKER BIO****
Safannia Wright is the Social Media Coordinator for Black Girl Talk as well as an activist in Maternal Mortality among Black Women in Human Rights. She has been creating a safe, interactive space for the enterprise on social media starting in late 2020 with a goal to build community, empowerment, and connection. Outside of that, Safannia works to become an advocate in healthcare by engaging in public health. Stuck in the house all day in May of 2020 allowed her to see that COVID-19 disproportionately affected low-income and predominantly black neighborhoods such as her own. In response to that and the uprise in racial injustices, she participated in Mount Sinai’s Racial Justice & Public Health Program where she learned about racial disparities in healthcare. Here, Safannia was angered and moved by one specific racial disparity: the Maternal Mortality Health Crisis among Black women. This influenced her to create brochures on the issue, which provided alternative healthcare options and alarming statistics in New York City. These were later distributed in her community. With her many works in social justice, Safannia hopes to continue to engage in these matters as she studies to be a nurse with the goal to advocate for the vulnerable. She will continue her studies as a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in nursing and minoring in Global Health.

Kathy is a licensed middle and high school teacher and has a master’s degree in education from the University of Minnesota. Additional credentials include certification in adverse childhood experiences, creating trauma-sensitive resilience schools, non-violent communication, and strengths-based education and leadership. Kathy believes educators and youth professionals need to develop their own social and emotional learning skills to create meaningful relationships with learners, creating a ripple effect that changes the process of learning for all.
Monica Cochran, M.Ed has worked with children, parents, and other adults in a wide variety of educational, hospital, and business settings for over 40 years. She has been active in alternative education since 1978, home-educated two of her own children, and has worked with other home educating and distance learning families since 1997. She has vast experience in helping learners of all ages and abilities enjoy learning. She especially enjoys helping learners who have both unique talents and unique challenges develop their strengths and create learning experiences that work for them. Currently, Monica works with learners and their families around the world through her private practice, Learning Without Borders.
Monica earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh in a multi-disciplinary program in child development, social work, and early childhood education and a Master’s Degree from Eastern Michigan University in special education with certifications in learning disabilities and emotional impairment. She also earned a Primary Montessori Certification from the American Montessori Society and is an Advanced DIR practitioner. Since 1997, following her youngest son’s auto accident, she has also been active in supporting survivors of brain injuries and learners with other health and developmental issues, as they redesign their lives.







Her formal title is Independent Education Consultant. What stands out about Stephanie's work is her heart-based, well-being focused approach, and her ability to build supportive relationships with both parents and their kids/ teens. This means that young people are able to find their way back towards their innate love of learning and their inherent ability to self direct their learning. Along the way, Stephanie also provides support and resources to their parents so that they have the knowledge and confidence to travel this path as well.
Stephanie lives with her family in the Gatineau Hills of Quebec, right on the border with Ontario. Her personal home/unschooling experience is based in these two provinces; professionally she supports families around the world.

Ymorah also serves as the project manager on the Social Engagement and Programming Committee of the Black Lives Matter Task Force at Bard High School Early College Queens. She is passionate about hosting events that uplift and celebrate Black culture, people, and history. For the past four years, Ymorah has organized the Black Lives Matter Day of Action. During this event, she has hosted 20 guest speakers including Rachel Rodgers, Sulma Arzu-Brown, and Wesley Caines, and organized 90 workshops.
Since 2019, Ymorah has spoken at The Schomburg Center, Intrepid Museum, The People’s Forum, The AERO Conference, and other organizations and events. She seeks to continue using her voice, knowledge, and resources to uplift and support other young Black women.










Mini-Talks


non-profit Organisation dedicated to addressing the most problems affecting youths especially
girls living in Uganda. Such problems include lack of Girl Child Education, Poor Menstrual
Hygiene Management, Gender Inequalities, poverty and among other problems.
Moses was raised in rural areas of Uganda (Rakai District), attended primary and secondary
school from the same area and then finally moved to Kampala the capital city of Uganda to
pursue his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Accounting and Finance). Moses is
currently a student from Cavendish University Uganda.
Mariam was raised from Central Uganda, Hoima District studied her elementary/primary school
from the same area and moved to Mukono District for her Ordinary Secondary School Level of
Education. Mariam is currently an O’Level Secondary graduate. And she wishes to study further
in case of any opportunity.
Mariam and Moses have participated in so many community programs and volunteered with so
many Non-Profit Organizations and impacted over 2,000 people in Uganda.
During their work as volunteers, they accessed invaluable experiences and knowledge and
they want to see more Ugandan youths exposed to the same opportunity. There is a great
population of crime, social and economic issues in Uganda; many minority youth are
incarcerated or victims of the poor or lack of proper menstrual hygiene management, poverty
and lack of Education in Uganda. With our own personal encounter with life’s unfortunate
circumstances and understanding the importance of education it is our desire to take part and strive for a change.

In 2018, at 13 years old, she founded Brown Kids Read, a non-profit organization dedicated to motivating all children, but especially children of color, to read more diverse literature.
Since then, she has created an online and pop-up bookstore called The Brown Reads Bookshelf and hosts a podcast called The Book Junkie. Most recently, she wrote a children’s picture book entitled Suubi's Sunny Smile through a publishing company she founded, Share a Smile Books.
Suubi's Sunny Smile comprises prominent heritage and dental hygiene themes, but most importantly, has a vital anti-bullying message. She was compelled to write a story featuring Suubi, a main character of color, whose inspiring journey will show young readers that what makes us unique, can be our greatest strength. Ssanyu is now in the process of publishing her next book -- Chi-Chi's Toothy Grin!
Additionally, She is a junior broadcaster and Junior Advisory Board Member for KiDz HuB Media Network, a member of the Homeschool National Honor Society, and she has been playing basketball for seven years.
She has also presented to corporations including Flywire and JPMorgan Chase about Teenage entrepreneurship, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Additionally, she presents goal-setting workshops for public high school students along with other workshops to help them stay motivated.
Her ultimate goal is to inspire and motivate others to leave a positive impact on the world!


non-profit Organisation dedicated to addressing the most problems affecting youths especially
girls living in Uganda. Such problems include lack of Girl Child Education, Poor Menstrual
Hygiene Management, Gender Inequalities, poverty and among other problems.
Moses was raised in rural areas of Uganda (Rakai District), attended primary and secondary
school from the same area and then finally moved to Kampala the capital city of Uganda to
pursue his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Accounting and Finance). Moses is
currently a student from Cavendish University Uganda.
Mariam was raised from Central Uganda, Hoima District studied her elementary/primary school
from the same area and moved to Mukono District for her Ordinary Secondary School Level of
Education. Mariam is currently an O’Level Secondary graduate. And she wishes to study further
in case of any opportunity.
Mariam and Moses have participated in so many community programs and volunteered with so
many Non-Profit Organizations and impacted over 2,000 people in Uganda.
During their work as volunteers, they accessed invaluable experiences and knowledge and
they want to see more Ugandan youths exposed to the same opportunity. There is a great
population of crime, social and economic issues in Uganda; many minority youth are
incarcerated or victims of the poor or lack of proper menstrual hygiene management, poverty
and lack of Education in Uganda. With our own personal encounter with life’s unfortunate
circumstances and understanding the importance of education it is our desire to take part and strive for a change.

non-profit Organisation dedicated to addressing the most problems affecting youths especially
girls living in Uganda. Such problems include lack of Girl Child Education, Poor Menstrual
Hygiene Management, Gender Inequalities, poverty and among other problems.
Moses was raised in rural areas of Uganda (Rakai District), attended primary and secondary
school from the same area and then finally moved to Kampala the capital city of Uganda to
pursue his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Accounting and Finance). Moses is
currently a student from Cavendish University Uganda.
Mariam was raised from Central Uganda, Hoima District studied her elementary/primary school
from the same area and moved to Mukono District for her Ordinary Secondary School Level of
Education. Mariam is currently an O’Level Secondary graduate. And she wishes to study further
in case of any opportunity.
Mariam and Moses have participated in so many community programs and volunteered with so
many Non-Profit Organizations and impacted over 2,000 people in Uganda.
During their work as volunteers, they accessed invaluable experiences and knowledge and
they want to see more Ugandan youths exposed to the same opportunity. There is a great
population of crime, social and economic issues in Uganda; many minority youth are
incarcerated or victims of the poor or lack of proper menstrual hygiene management, poverty
and lack of Education in Uganda. With our own personal encounter with life’s unfortunate
circumstances and understanding the importance of education it is our desire to take part and
strive for a change.




Ymorah also serves as the project manager on the Social Engagement and Programming Committee of the Black Lives Matter Task Force at Bard High School Early College Queens. She is passionate about hosting events that uplift and celebrate Black culture, people, and history. For the past four years, Ymorah has organized the Black Lives Matter Day of Action. During this event, she has hosted 20 guest speakers including Rachel Rodgers, Sulma Arzu-Brown, and Wesley Caines, and organized 90 workshops.
Since 2019, Ymorah has spoken at The Schomburg Center, Intrepid Museum, The People’s Forum, The AERO Conference, and other organizations and events. She seeks to continue using her voice, knowledge, and resources to uplift and support other young Black women.



Exceptional communication skills evidenced by several features on television and radio stations in Nigeria and Africa such as Silverbird TV, Television Continental, PlusTv Africa, Channels TV amongst others and international speaking roles in several international conferences speaking on issues of Sustainable Development Leadership, Youth Development and inspiring real-life action and impact.
Damilola is a co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Sustainable Development
Network, a network that works with change-makers and youth across the globe to foster an enabling environment that will lead to a more sustainable and resilient future by 2030. Since its existence, the YSDN has been able to impact 1500 youths across 25 countries through its workshops, training and summits. In 2021, in a bid to put youth at the center of meaningful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, the YSDN launched the Solar Irrigation Project to support farmers to have access to knowledge on irrigation and irrigation management as well as equipment that can support them to practice all year production.
In October 2021, Damilola also participated at the biggest United Nations Climate Change Conference- the Conference of Parties 26 (COP) in Glasgow, United Kingdom. During the conference, he was featured on a panel session led by Emory University, Atlanta Georgia, to showcase youth from Global South pushing towards the agenda of the future we want.


Panelists


