Superintendent Program for Equity and Social Justice through Education – Podcast Episode 190 | Classnotes Podcast 190

Kenita Williams photoCloyd Garth photoClassnotes Podcast (February 12, 2019). Most schools express within their vision that “all children will learn.” Yet, the pathway to make this vision come to fruition is filled with more obstacles for some children than for others. Inequities within schools are systemic but can be directly addressed by school leadership and classroom teachers. This podcast episode features two guests, Kenita Williams, M.A., with the Southern Education Foundation, and Cloyd Garth, Jr., Ed.S., superintendent of Hazelhurst City School District in Mississippi. The describe the SEF fellowship program, Racial Equity Leadership Network (RELN), and how it builds capacity among principals and their leadership teams in addressing issues of inequity and social injustice.

Kenita and Garth are interviewed by José A. Velázquez, M.Ed., IDRA education associate. The IDRA EAC-South provides technical assistance and training to build capacity of local educators to serve their diverse student populations.

Show length: 16:00 min.

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Resources

IDRA EAC-South

Racial Equity Leadership Network

Essential Approaches for Excellence & Sustainable School System Transformation – The Equity-Centered Capacity Building Network (ECCBN)  journal addressing systems capacity building approaches that drive both equity and excellence

Courage to Connect: A Quality Schools Action Framework™ – IDRA’s book shows how communities and schools can work together to strengthen their capacity to be successful with all of their students.

Leaders Turn Around Schools – Transformational Equity Focus Makes College Readiness a Priority, by Nilka Avilés, Ed.D., IDRA Newsletter

Fostering Excellence through Social Justice Principles in Schools Serving English Learners, by Nilka Avilés, Ed.D., IDRA Newsletter

A Guide for School Board Members to Assess District Effectiveness, by Abelardo Villarreal,Ph.D., and Rosana G. Rodríguez, Ph.D., IDRA Newsletter, June-July 2010

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Show Notes

  • Kenita offers an overview of the Racial Equity Leadership Network (RELN), its mission, and its 18-month fellowship program for superintendents and other education leaders in the U.S. South.

  • Cloyd talks about the Hazelhurst City School District that he leads. He shares his personal vision for racial equity and considers how the RELN can help advance that vision in the district.

  • Kenita outlines key levers for system change that leaders can use to impact their schools in a positive way:
    • A clear, ambitious vision for district-wide racial equity
    • Access to deep learning for all students
    • Safe schools
    • Thoughtful resource allocation
    • Use of research and data in instructional strategy

  • Cloyd shares his approach to capacity building among principals and leadership teams in addressing issues of inequity and social justice.