Educators Conference

Kent State University at Stark is hosting its 3rd annual free conference for local educators focusing on ethical citizenship.

3rd Annual Educators Conference
Ethical Citizenship and its Place in Contemporary Classrooms
Saturday, April 25, 2026
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.  |  Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. 
Conference Center
Kent State University at Stark
6000 Frank Avenue NW  |  North Canton OH 44720

Ethical citizenship (EC) is active, informed, and participatory citizenship which displays an ethical self-awareness of one’s role in the community and the interplay between how we act on the community and the community acts on us (Bosio & Schattle, 2021; NCSS, 2013).

Furthermore, EC requires cross-cultural empathy, a sense of responsibility to the common good, and a willingness to vocalize and act when issues arise which threaten humanities collective well-being (Bosio & Schattle, 2021; Schattle, 2008; Young, 2008).

Participants will examine how to understand, educate for, enact and be an overall ethical citizen. Content experts will each host unique sessions on classroom applications of ethical citizenship and will focus on topics such as education, ethics, politics and philosophy.

VIEW CONFERENCE AGENDA

SESSIONS & PRESENTERS
 

Ethical Citizenship in Social Studies Requires Bravery 
Dr. Todd Hawley
Professor, Social Studies Education
Kent State University 

Intentional Use of Tasks to Model a Positive Mathematical Mindset
Dr. Shelly Heron
Associate Professor, Teaching, Learning & Curriculum Studies
Kent State University at Stark

Ethical Citizenship as Evidenced by Environmental Stewardship
Dr. Greg Smith
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
Kent State University at Stark

Exploring a Definition of Ethical Citizenship through the Use of Children's and Young Adult Literature
Dr. Lori Wilfong
Associate Professor, Teaching Learning & Curriculum Studies
Kent State University
 

Non-Profit Presenters

Stephanie Sweany
Stark County Hunger Task Force

Brad Pietzcker
Veteran Service Commission of Stark County

REGISTER BY APRIL 24 AT NOON

Attendees will receive:

• A complimentary lunch
• 5 contact hours
• Classroom materials
• Networking opportunities with colleagues across multiple academic levels

 
This conference has been made possible by a generous grant from the Lykeion Fund. 
 

CONTACT

Dr. Matthew Hollstein
Associate Professor
Teaching, Learning & Curriculum Studies
Kent State University
mhollste@kent.edu

For disability accommodations, contact Ted Guedel at tguedel@kent.edu.