Chris Emdin

Chris Emdin is a professor at Columbia University, bestselling author of For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood… and the Rest of Y’all Too, and one of the most influential voices in education innovation. He is the Maxine Greene Chair for Distinguished Contributions to Education and Professor of Science Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, and the Director of Creativity, Innovation, and the Science of Hip-Hop at the school.

Revolutionizing Education Through Hip-Hop Pedagogy

Dr. Emdin’s groundbreaking work uses hip-hop culture as a framework for engaging students who have been underserved by traditional teaching methods. His approach has transformed classrooms by meeting students where they are culturally and creating learning environments where every student feels seen, heard, and empowered to participate. His research demonstrates that the most effective teaching connects with students’ lived experiences rather than demanding they conform to a single cultural model.

Creating Classrooms Where Every Student Thrives

Emdin’s dynamic presentations challenge educators to rethink their assumptions about teaching and learning. His keynotes deliver powerful insights on hip-hop pedagogy and culturally responsive teaching, creating equitable classrooms that engage all students, innovation in education and meeting students where they are, and the practices that transform urban education and close achievement gaps.

The Crisis of Urban Education

In this presentation, Dr. Christopher Emdin lays out the current and ever-evolving sociopolitical and “in the trenches” landscape of urban education, outlines the reasons for our current national challenges, and offers research-based but often underexplored solutions. This speech explores the public/private battle in urban education, challenges of teacher training and recruitment, national policy, the newly developed common core learning standards, and new possibilities.

Teaching & Learning from the Student’s Standpoint

In an age where terms like “multiculturalism” and “cultural relevance” have been littered across the educational landscape, teachers and administrators still have a challenging time implementing instructional approaches/tools that meet the needs of a diverse student population. Education speaker Christopher Emdin explores the current educational buzz words, bridges the divides between theory and practice, and provides tangible tools for educators on improving their practice.

Hip-Hop & Education

Keynote speaker Christopher Emdin explores the concept of hip-hop education and discusses what works and what doesn’t in this growing field. He outlines research-based ways that hip-hop culture can be used in education and discusses the pitfalls of hip-hop education that are rarely discussed by scholars, researchers, and a growing “hip-hop intellectual” audience. In this speech, Dr. Emdin critiques hip-hop while discussing its immense political and social potential.

Rethinking STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics)

Dr. Christopher Emdin explores participation and engagement in STEM fields and the ways that the education culture tracks students out of success in these disciplines. He uncovers reasons for youth disinterest in school and the STEM disciplines and how we can look for new educational approaches that foster participation and engagement in STEM without sacrificing rigor and content. This speech discusses what it takes to be a scientist; how educators, parents, and the general public can hone those skills in youth; and why we have no choice but to re-focus on creating a new STEM generation.