National Teacher of the Year to address Organizing Conference

 

Juliana Urtubey, National Teacher of the Year from Las Vegas, will bring her message of a “joyful and just education” as the closing keynote speaker at the OEA Organizing Conference on Feb. 26, at the Embassy Suites Northwest OKC.

Urtubey is in her 11th year in the classroom at Kermit R. Booker Sr. Elementary School where she co-teaches pre-kindergarten through fifth grade special education students. She also serves as an instructional strategist developing supports to meet students’ differing academic, social-emotional and behavior needs.

A National Board Certified teacher and a first-generation, bilingual immigrant, Urtubey advocates for a joyful and just education for all students, one that is inclusive and celebratory of all students’ identities, families and communities.

She is known as “Ms. Earth” in Las Vegas for her efforts to beautify schools and unify the community through murals and gardens, and for helping raise funds for garden programs at two Las Vegas schools.

In addition to her NBCT, Urtubey has a bachelor’s in bilingual elementary education and a master’s in special bilingual education from the University of Arizona. She is a member of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Board of Directors, a Teacher Fellow, a Nevada Teach Plus Senior Policy Fellow and an Understood Teacher Fellow and mentor. Urtubey is also a winner of the 2018 Rogers Foundation Heart of Education Award.

Early bird registration of $35 per person for the conference, “Better Together: Organizing Through Advocacy,” has been extended through Feb. 18. Afterwards, registration will be $50 per attendee.

The conference will be held in person for those who are vaccinated against COVD-19 and follow health and safety protocols at conference venue.

In addition to Urtubey, attendees will hear a keynote address from education philanthropist Ted Dintersmith and choose from four different breakout sessions. See the full agenda on our conference web page.