America at 250: We Need a Declaration of Interdependence

By popular demand, Baratunde Thurston returns for a special encore keynote presentation, inviting educators to mark our nation’s semiquincentennial birthday by asking if it’s time for a Declaration of Interdependence?

With his podcast Life with Machines and on his Speak Easy Substack, Baratunde has been thinking and writing about the origins of our democracy and how, in the Age of Disinformation and AI, we might return to democracy’s indigenous roots in North America. What would a Declaration of Interdependence mean for Vermont’s students, educators, and communities? Baratunde Thurston offers teachers a compelling vision for the future of our country that celebrates reciprocity and our interconnectedness with the natural world. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see one of the smartest, funniest speakers around.

“Giving student voice a chance has never failed to reap benefits in one form or another.”

The Rowland Foundation hosts the largest one-day educational conference in Vermont each fall at the University of Vermont. The Annual Rowland Conference is intended for educators, students, and community members interested in improving the culture and climate of schools.

The Annual Rowland Conference keynote speakers are nationally recognized thought leaders whose remarks establish the conference theme for the day. The Rowland Conference workshop sessions are led by practitioners who build on the conference theme and offer concrete strategies for educators, students, and community members who want to make a difference in their schools.

The Annual Rowland Conference offers a discount for early-bird registration in the spring. Schools are encouraged to attend as eight-member school teams, which typically include the principal/head of school, teachers, curriculum leaders, counselors, school board members, and/or support staff. Once they have registered one or more teams of eight, schools are able to add up to three students (per team) for a nominal fee. The Superintendent can be added to any registered school team of eight free of charge.