Biography: Scott Fellows is the retired chair of the Mathematics Department at Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village, Connecticut. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Education at Goodwin University and directs the Master’ s Program in Teacher Leadership.
ASYNCHRONOUS POSTER PRESENTATIONS Link to folder with conference posters. P. 1 Evidence-Driven Teaching That Nurtures Connection, Community, and Belonging
Poster Description: This poster discusses an inclusive, student-centered pedagogical approach that prioritizes learners’ diverse needs, identities, and lived experiences to create meaningful and equitable educational opportunities. Grounded in evidence-led practices, it emphasizes active engagement, collaborative learning, and transparent instruction to help students build confidence and agency in their academic journey. By fostering a welcoming environment where all students feel valued, supported, and capable, this approach enhances motivation, deepens understanding, and promotes long-term success. Ultimately, it aims to transform classrooms into dynamic learning communities where every student can thrive and fully participate in the construction of knowledge.
Poster Objectives: 1. Reflect on how their identities and values impact their teaching practice 2. Identify at least three evidence-based, student-centered teaching strategies. 3. Create a plan to integrate small course changes that support belonging and inclusive access.
Theme:
• Instructional strategies for supporting learner success
Audience:
• Higher education faculty
Poster Presenter and Biography: Briana Weston, LMSW( she / her), social work doctoral student at Sacred Heart University, entered the field as an Investigator for the Department of Family and Protective Services after receiving her Bachelor’ s in Science in Criminal Justice from Texas State University. Bri served there for 4 years before pursuing her Master’ s in Social Work at Baylor University. While working as a social work intern at a local high school, she discovered her passion for addressing racial disparities among Black students relating to exclusionary discipline, as well as developed a special interest in fostering a sense of belonging for students to promote growth. Since then, Bri has served in many capacities including program management, a counselor for students in special education, worked in a private practice setting, and currently as an Adjunct Faculty for Austin Community College.
P. 2 Mission without Mandate: Reimagining PreK-12 Institutional Commitments to Students Experiencing Housing and Financial Insecurity
Poster Description: Although independent schools often emphasize inclusivity in their messaging, their structures and practices tend to exclude students experiencing housing and financial insecurity. In this study, we examined how mission statements signal educational priorities and whether they reflect the inclusion