Tuesday, July 21 – Wednesday, July 22
As educators prepare for the coming school year, one goal remains essential: creating classrooms where every student feels safe, respected, and able to learn. The 2026 Tidewater Inclusive Educators’ Conference offers a powerful way to start that work.
Hosted by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, in partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula, the two-day conference will equip educators with practical tools to meet today’s challenges head-on.
Bullying, bias, and antisemitism are realities students are encountering with great frequency. When educators are prepared to address these situations with clarity and confidence, those difficult moments can become opportunities for growth and understanding, while strengthening the school community.
This conference is designed for teachers, administrators, counselors, and youth-serving professionals. Participants will gain strategies to navigate challenging conversations, foster inclusion across differences, and create a supportive environment for all students. On the second day, attendees will have a guided tour of Richmond’s Virginia Holocaust Museum, using history to strengthen context, empathy, and meaningful classroom dialogue.
The registration fee of $40 includes meals, materials, transportation, and continuing education hours. Scholarships are available.
The conference is made possible by a grant from Tidewater Jewish Foundation.
For more information or to register: InclusiveVA.org/tiec2026 or contact Elka Mednick at emednick@ujft.org.