Skip Navigation
Mental Health Children's Fund Healthy School Meals Stopping Gun Violence Engaged Families & Communities
Professional Development Grants and Awards Resource Library
Weingarten Rights & Due Process Collective Bargaining & Your Contract Member Organizing
Action Center Protect Public Schools Racial & Social Justice
Our History, Our Future Our Leaders Our Members Our Staff
Members-Only Content and Resources
New from NEARI Press Releases Member Voice NEARI Podcasts
We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience, provide ads, analyze site traffic, and personalize content. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies.
Event

Safe Spaces for the Modern Educator Conference

Formerly known as the Mental Health Summit, the Safe Spaces Conference is a full day to explore justice, reflection, and action.
By: Stephanie Mandeville
Published: September 25, 2024 Last Updated: June 24, 2025

Event Overview

Dates and Times

  • Saturday, February 28, 2026
    8:30 AM - 2:00 PM (EST)

Cost

Free
REGISTER TODAY

Location

  • NEARI HQ
    99 Bald Hill Rd Cranston

Topics

  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Gender Equity
  • LGBTQ+
  • Mental Health
  • Racial & Social Justice
  • Racism & Cultural Bias

Together, we will explore key challenges in today’s classrooms, including racial and social justice, LGBTQ+ issues, mental health, and more. 

We will examine how these issues impact students, educators, and school communities, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities for meaningful change.

Through discussion, resources, and real-world examples, we aim to foster inclusive and supportive learning environments for all.

 

Help support our communities! Attendees are encouraged to bring new socks for a socks drive benefiting local community organizations.

Keynote Speakers

Melissa Santoro, LICSW and Linzi Rae Matta, LICSE of Pathway to Resilience, LLC

Learn more

Downloads

Your Union. Your Voice.

We are THE voice for one in every 100 Rhode Islanders. Learn more and get involved with your union!
STUDNETS LEARNINING A CLASSROOM

PROTECT PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Educators and parents know that America's students need more opportunities to succeed, and we need to strengthen our public schools where 90% of students learn.
NEARI logo

A labor union and professional organization.

Our Association is a remarkable blend of union and professional organization, with a proud history of serving Rhode Island. Since its inception in 1845, our members have been at the center of every struggle to advance the finest of American dreams: the promise of a quality public education for every child. One in every 100 Rhode Islanders is a member - chances are, you know us already!
Learn More
Join NEARI

The NEARI is a state affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.

Learn more at NEA.org

Signup

Indicates Required

Validate your NEARI membership to create an account and access members-only content.

Use the same first and last name as your NEARI membership.

Find your Member ID on the back of your copy of the NEA Today print magazine, on EdCommunities, or by emailing [email protected].
A valid email address. All emails from the system will be sent to this address. The email address is not made public and will only be used if you wish to receive a new password.

Login

Indicates Required

Log in to access content only available to NEARI members.