July 2026
Topic: Engaging Young People Through the Pedagogy of Confidence©
Discussion: Dr. Yvette Jackson’s Pedagogy of Confidence is a powerful framework designed to engage learners and lead them to the frontier of their cognition. Through the POC, experience the process of gaining and and applying knowledge in ways that are most meaningful and relevant to them. This session is designed to engage leaders in exploring, and confidently articulating key foundational principles, and several of the foundational strategies of Pedagogy of Confidence©. The intended outcome is for leaders to be able to articulate and apply cognitive and neuroscience principles that undergird this transformational framework.
Speaker Bio: Dr. Stefanie C. Baker has over two decades of experience in educational leadership, strategic planning, and student-centered program development. She brings a proven ability to lead diverse teams, drive equitable outcomes, and build systems that elevate student success especially for historically underserved communities. Stefanie currently serves as Coaching Coordinator at the University of California, Berkeley, where she collaborates with academic and community partners to expand coaching opportunities for K-12 school leaders, and provide K 12 leaders access to high-impact, equity-centered learning opportunities. Dr. Baker’s professional journey has included directing large-scale educational programs, managing large-scale operations, and leading national initiatives focused on academic equity, such as the 5Essentials project through the University of Chicago’s Urban Education Institute and the National Urban Alliance for Effective Education. Stefanie’s leadership philosophy is grounded in inclusive excellence and data-driven strategy. She has directly managed teams of up to 25 professional staff and over 200 educators, developed and implemented performance evaluation systems, and overseen operations that span instructional design, compliance, and stakeholder engagement. Stefanie’s overarching leadership goals include: 1) Elevating student learning, 2) Fostering inclusive peer support, 3) Advising institutional leaders, and 4) Designing professional development experiences that challenge educators to examine the systems and structures in which they lead to ensure equal-high-quality opportunities for all children, regardless of race, color, religion, age, income-level identity, or national origin. Dr. Baker’s deep commitment to educational equity, combined with a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis, positions her well to support strategic alignment with organization-wide goals that address existing and emerging student needs.