Words Matter Conference
For Middle and Upper School Students & All Faculty/Staff
Dubois Center of UNC Charlotte
320 East 9th StreetCharlotte, NC 28202-2532
United States
Words Matter
Our theme for this event is "Words Matter Conference: Joy and Courage through Community Storytelling.” The words we choose shape the way we see ourselves, connect with others, and build our communities. Words Matter is an engaging, interactive conference designed for faculty, staff, and middle and high school students to explore how language influences relationships, classroom dynamics, and society. This conference aims to support NCAIS schools as they work to be courageous and unified, and to consider the impact of words and stories in their communities.
As has been our custom, this event has a faculty/staff track, an Upper School student track, and a Middle School student track.
The Words Matter Conference continues our decades-long commitment to helping those from different experiences and backgrounds find common ground and understanding.
| Credits | Price | |
|---|---|---|
|
NCAIS Faculty (by Feb 23)
Registration Ends 2/23/26 at 11:59 PM EST
|
7.00 (CEU) | $195.00 |
|
Non-member Faculty (by Feb 23)
Registration Ends 2/23/26 at 11:59 PM EST
|
7.00 (CEU) | $245.00 |
|
NCAIS Faculty Member (after Feb 23)
Registration Opens 2/24/26 at 12:00 AM EST
|
7.00 (CEU) | $245.00 |
|
Non-member Faculty (after Feb 23)
Registration Opens 2/24/26 at 12:00 AM EST
|
7.00 (CEU) | $295.00 |
| Credits | Price | |
|---|---|---|
|
Middle School Student
|
$99.00 | |
|
Upper School Student
|
$99.00 | |
|
Student Presenter
|
$50.00 |
Words Matter Conference 2026 by Bonnie Meyer
Quote from Woody Register, PhD – Professor of American History, Director, Roberson Project on Slavery, Race and Reconciliation, University of the South | Sewanee, TN
“We have shown A Binding Truth on our campus on two occasions, and in both instances, college students responded to the documentary’s telling of this very human story with intense interest and questioning that continued long after the viewing. A Binding Truth connects its viewers to an important and unknown history of injustice, to be sure, but it also leads them to reflect on a path going forward of historical reckoning and healing.”
“A Binding Truth” is a profoundly moving documentary that skillfully navigates the emotional terrain of two very different people, two races, and their legacies. This documentary is a must-watch, offering a deeply personal and emotionally charged exploration of history and humanity. ⎯ Tony Asankomah, GhMovieFreak
“A Binding Truth turns a sports story into a larger civil rights story, ultimately crafting a universal story of America.” Morgan Rojas, Cinemacy
Melody Fox Ahmed is a global program director and international education leader with a robust career in education spanning over 20 years. She is a founding partner of World Tree Global, an educational consulting group. She has held key global education positions at esteemed institutions, including Georgetown University and the National Cathedral School in Washington, DC. As an accomplished international education leader, Melody specializes in global program development and leadership, teaching and training, partnership cultivation, outreach, and stakeholder engagement within cross-cultural education initiatives. She is passionate about empowering educators and students to become peace-builders, interfaith leaders, and global citizens through meaningful programs, strategic partnerships, and experiential learning.
Rachel Anderson has been a facilitator with Peaceful School NC since its early days. She is a professional mediator, facilitator, coach, and consultant. She is the owner of To Resolution, LLC, a company designed to help communities that have experienced trauma and are experiencing conflict. Rachel is a certified trainer through Prevent Child Abuse VT, as well as through STAR, Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience. Rachel is a consultant for nonprofits, businesses, religious organizations, and schools. Previously, Rachel was a twenty-five-year veteran teacher, an interim dean for students, and a board member for the nonprofit MyHealthEd. Rachel has also presented at conferences and facilitated workshops on the local, state, and national levels. Rachel has a Master of Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University.
Melissa Ramel is in her 21st year teaching secondary social studies. She’s currently in her 3rd year teaching 7th grade Human Geography and 7th/8th grade Mock Supreme Court at Ravenscroft School. After teaching high school for many years, Melissa enjoys working with middle school students, particularly on critical thinking, source analysis skills, and building concrete-supported arguments. She also coaches volleyball and serves as the Middle School Social Studies Department Chair. Melissa arrived in Raleigh 9 years ago by way of San Diego, California (where she attended the University of San Diego), and her hometown of Reno, Nevada. She and her husband have two children, in 3rd grade and Kindergarten. 
Catherine Cody is currently a 7th-grade Human Geography teacher and Middle School Admissions Liaison at Ravenscroft School. This is her twelfth year teaching and her sixth year at the school, and she previously taught at Title 1 public schools in both North Carolina and Texas. She got her Bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education with a concentration in ELA and SS from NC State. 
Emily Lugo is a third-grade teacher at Ravenscroft School and is currently in her fifth year of teaching. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a STEM Concentration from NC State University. Emily is passionate about helping young students discover their strengths and develop a genuine love for learning. She is especially committed to social and emotional learning and believes deeply in educating the whole child. Emily lives in Raleigh with her husband, their two-year-old cocker spaniel, and their six-month-old daughter. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys reading murder mysteries, practicing yoga, and spending time at the beach with her family.
Jill Cope has taken years of professional evolution to arrive at the point of teaching AP Psychology. Her education and training came from Cornell University and Columbia University; both educational spaces fostered intellectual curiosity and high level mentorship. Jill then bridged her passion for academia with her desire to serve challenged communities. Jill worked in pediatric psychiatric research at Johns Hopkins University, supportive counseling to students at Vassar College and supportive counseling to families in the pediatric oncology community at Vanderbilt University Childrens’ Hospital. Jill evolved her career to focus on training future counselors and assumed a role as a lecturer at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, teaching graduate students the skills required for supportive counseling. Most recently, Jill’s experience and passion has led her to teaching in the Upper School of a TK-12 private school. Jill has found this to be an exceptionally rewarding position, bolstered by interpersonal connection and intellectual growth.
Ida Trisolini (she/her) is the School Programs Coordinator at Peaceful Schools NC, a program of Carolina Friends School. Ida has served in multiple roles in schools for over 30 years including Language Arts teacher, Advisor, Coach, Interim Head of Middle School and Interim Assistant Head for Teaching and Learning. In her current role with Peaceful Schools NC, she facilitates workshops within schools and helps design curriculum related to restorative practices, school culture and teaching conflict resolution. Ida has presented at regional and national conferences, but her favorite work involves contributing to the transformative impact healthy relationships can have in a school setting.
Brian Campbell is a Vice President at Truist Financial Corporation, professional speaker, and creator of The Banker’s Blueprint, a framework built around discipline, purpose, and people. With more than 23 years in financial services, Brian has helped over 2,500 families achieve the dream of homeownership and financial security while bringing real-world experience and powerful storytelling to audiences of all ages. He is married to his college sweetheart and is the proud father of a high school freshman and a second grader. Outside of work, Brian enjoys physical fitness, investing in the community through mentorship, and watching scary movies with his wife.
Dr. Yven Destin is a writer, educator, and advocate whose work explores the intersections of literature, social justice, and child development. An Upper School History Teacher and DEI liaison, Dr. Destin bridges conversations between faculty, students, and administration to foster inclusion. His latest book, What Can James Baldwin’s “Little Man” Teach Us About Children and Our Responsibility to Them?, examines Baldwin’s reflections on childhood and society’s ethical responsibilities. A graduate of Morehouse College and the University of Chicago, with a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Destin also serves on the Editorial Board of the Family Justice Journal.
Justin Stagner, Canterbury School
Glynis Hill-Chandler, Hill Learning Center
Dan Gilson, Durham Academy
Tanisha Jones, New Garden Friends School
David Harris, Providence Day School
Isabel Rios-Torres, Carolina Friends School
Dominique Taylor, Ravenscroft School
Laura Mae Allen, New Garden Friends School
HOMEWOOD SUITES BY HILTON
CHARLOTTE UPTOWN FIRST WARD
508 N COLLEGE STREET, CHARLOTTE, NC 28202
NCAIS has reserved a block of rooms at the cost of $139 per night for a single-occupancy room with a King bed.
