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Unifying Principles behind the Teach-In

  • INCLUSIVITY. We must vigorously work toward an increasingly “inclusive academic community” and not take for granted that this has been achieved.
  • OUR INTELLECTUAL TRADITIONS. We are called to bring the wisdom of our Benedictine and Catholic intellectual traditions into the dialogue about urgent social issues confronting our local, national, and global communities.
  • ENGAGED CITIZENS and THE COMMON GOOD. In our efforts to become “engaged citizens,” we need a fuller understanding of what it means to “promote the common good” and to work toward social justice according to Catholic teachings.
  • OUR HALLMARKS. We are expected to live and to model the values of our Benedictine hallmarks: Love of Christ and Neighbor, Prayer, Stability, Conversatio (formation and transformation) , Obedience/Listening, Discipline, Humility, Stewardship, Hospitality, Community
Teach in on Social Justice

7th Annual Teach-In on Social Justice

Monday, March 6, 2023
“How Social Justice Issues Collide: Poverty, Wealth, and Public Policy”

Morning Keynote – Dr. Gail Christopher 

Dr. Christopher is an award-winning social change agent with expertise in the social determinants of health and well-being and in related public policies. She is known for her pioneering work to infuse holistic health and diversity concepts into public sector programs and policy discourse. She is the author of Rx Racial Healing: A guide to embracing our humanity, a book that provides tools and resources for teaching racial healing in colleges, institution, and communities.

Afternoon Keynote – Dr. Kim Park Nelson 

Dr. Nelson is an educator and researcher whose work uses adoption as a lens to understand race and culture. She is director and associate professor of Ethnic Studies at Winona State University. Issues related to international adoption are part of the long history and larger discussion of “taking children” from their original families and cultures. Dr. Kim brings her personal experience combined with a researcher’s objectivity to this much needed discussion. She is the author of Invisible Asians: Korean American Adoptees, Asian American Experiences, and Racial Exceptionalism, which dismantles the stereotype that Asian Americans are untouched by racial marginalization.

Evening Program – LET THE LITTLE LIGHT SHINE – film screening and discussion with Kevin Shaw

As a director, producer and cinematographer, Kevin Shaw has created award-winning content for national television networks. Let the Little Light Shine is the story of a thriving elementary school in Chicago’s fastest growing neighborhood that is a beacon for Black children, until gentrification threatens its closure. When a proposal is initiated to close the National Teachers Academy and transform it into a high school benefiting the community’s wealthier residents, parents, students and educators fight for the elementary school’s survival.

Some of the Concurrent Session topics:

  • Restoration and Healing Circles
  • Suicide Prevention as Social Justice
  • Safe Space Training
  • Catholic Social Teaching
  • Sustainability in Healthcare
  • Learning Leadership
  • Period Poverty
  • Racist Roots of Police Brutality
  • Healthcare equity
  • Gender Violence
  • Taking Children
  • LGBTQ Legislation Trends

There will also be a Teach-In Prayer and Reflection Service 12:00-12:30 pm.

Register for the Teach-In (link to be announced)

Questions? Chat with the Virtual Registration Desk

If you have any questions or would like to be involved in planning, please contact:

Wilson Chen
[email protected]

Pat Somers
[email protected]