Annual UnConferences 2020 - 2022

First Annual UnConference: October 2020

The inaugural TeachHouse UnConference took place on October 29th, 2020, and included a mix of Duke Program in Education students and Duke TeachHouse fellows and alumni as attendees. Fifteen participants along with the UnConference planning team piloted the event which featured local education leaders Bryan Proffitt and Principal James Hopkins as keynote speakers. Participants attended two breakout periods offering three sessions each with all sessions led by practicing teachers. Session topics included: teacher activism, burnout, equity-based teaching and learning, and COVID-19 current and future impact.

Local Durham Education Leader James Hopkins discusses the impact of the Duke TeachHouse Virtual UnConference held in October 2020.
Local Durham Education Leader James Hopkins discusses the impact of the Duke TeachHouse Virtual UnConference held in October 2020.

Second Annual UnConference: May 2021

The Second Annual TeachHouse UnConference occurred on May 20, 2021. After a successful pilot, the second iteration of the UnConference expanded its reach to include Durham educators along with educators from Vance County Schools and DC Public Schools. Keynote speakers Principal Arthur Mola (DC Public Schools) and local community activist and practicing English educator Holly Jordan (Durham Public Schools) inspired an audience of approximately 50 attendees. Their reflections are captured in their UnConference keynote addresses: 

Holly Jordan delivers her keynote speech at the Duke TeachHouse Virtual UnConference on May 20, 2021.
Cardozo Education Campus Principal Art Mola delivers his keynote speech at the Duke TeachHouse Virtual UnConference on May 20, 2021.
Cardozo Education Campus Principal Art Mola delivers his keynote speech at the Duke TeachHouse Virtual UnConference on May 20, 2021.

Third Annual UnConference: April 2022

The Third Annual TeachHouse UnConference took place on April 28, 2022, and again expanded its local reach to include teachers from NCCU’s School of Education along with new educator colleagues in the Durham area.

This iteration of the UnConference piloted the role of “Community Leads” who helped lead grassroots recruiting efforts from within their own local education communities and professional networks. Another innovation of this event was the launch of “EdTalks,” or short talks given by practicing educators sharing their passions and perspectives in whole group sessions. Returning speaker Principal Arthur Mola (DC Public Schools) and inaugural UnConference Co-Chair Alejandra Gómez (Durham Public Schools) inspired the 53 event attendees with their learnings. 

This EdTalk by Principal Arthur Mola (Francis L. Cardozo Education Campus, DC Public Schools) entitled "When Inspiration is Not Enough: Teaching in Times of Crisis" was recorded on April 28, 2022, at the Third Annual Duke TeachHouse UnConference.
This EdTalk by Principal Arthur Mola (Francis L. Cardozo Education Campus, DC Public Schools) entitled "When Inspiration is Not Enough: Teaching in Times of Crisis" was recorded on April 28, 2022, at the Third Annual Duke TeachHouse UnConference.
This EdTalk by Alejandra Gómez (Durham Public Schools) was recorded on April 28, 2022, at the Third Annual Duke TeachHouse UnConference.
This EdTalk by Alejandra Gómez (Durham Public Schools) was recorded on April 28, 2022, at the Third Annual Duke TeachHouse UnConference.