Leaders in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools have been working on their equity agenda since 2015. But while their first two iterations focused more on achievement gaps and access to rigorous classes for all students, the plans didn’t address systemic inequities or really move the needle forward. During a recent edWebinar, hosted by AASA, The School Superintendents Association and AASA’s Leadership Network, Dr. Aaron Spence, Superintendent, and Dr. LaQuiche R. Parrott, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, explained why their Compass 2025 plan emphasizes equity throughout and how they keep equity front and center in their work.
School systems, school buildings and classroom leaders have the opportunity to model methods to promote racial justice. The approaches will vary, from courageous conversations in the classroom to inclusive, student-centered school design.
How can school districts provide more equitable outcomes for their full range of students, while also implementing anti-racist policies and procedures? The hard work and “authentic journey” required to achieve these sorts of outcomes were discussed during a recent edWebinar, hosted by AASA, The School Superintendents Association and AASA’s Leadership Network. The presentation featured Dr. Luvelle Brown, Superintendent of the Ithaca City School District (NY), Lily Talcott, Deputy Superintendent of the district, and Deborah Ptak, Principal of the district’s Lehman Alternative Community School.
Science education during COVID has challenged the best of teachers. But even during the crisis, they dug in, designing creative digital learning experiences, using technology for enhanced remote engagement and leveraging local phenomena and investigations for students and their families to do at home.
It’s a common story: the energetic principal who comes into a school, revamps the curriculum, creates innovative learning practices, and then leaves with no sustainability plan. Or, while the kids in that one school thrive, others across the district are left behind. Unfortunately, many schools and districts are still relying on individuals or looking for that magic program rather than developing educational systems that provide a high-quality, modern education for all students.
Presented by Dr. Luvelle Brown, Superintendent, Ithaca City School District (NY); Lily Talcott, Deputy Superintendent, Ithaca City School District (NY); and Deborah Ptak, Principal, Lehman Alternative Community School, Ithaca City School District (NY)
Presented by Dr. Stacie Stanley, Associate Superintendent, Eden Prairie Schools (MN), Tim Beekmann, Principal, Eden Lake Elementary School (MN), and Valora Unowsky, Associate Principal, Eden Lake Elementary School (MN)
Moderated by Dr. Valerie Truesdale, Assistant Executive Director, AASA, The School Superintendents Association
Presented by Khuzama Rizwan Khan, Director of Program and Knowledge Management, Girl Rising; and Stacie Cassat Green, Principal, 64 Crayons
Moderated by Kayce Freed Jennings, Director of the Girl Rising Educator Program, Girl Rising
Presented by Dr. Flavia E. Iuspa, Assistant Teaching Professor, School of Education and Human Development, Florida International University; Dr. Elizabeth Cramer, Professor and Graduate Program Director, School of Education and Human Development, Florida International University; and Dr. Maria Tsalikis, Associate Teaching Professor, School of Education and Human Development, Florida International University
Presented by Jon Bernstein, Executive Director, NCTET with Guest Panelists: Amanda Karhuse, President, NCTET; Dr. John B. King, Jr., President and CEO, The Education Trust; Dr. Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent, Topeka Public Schools (KS); Becky Pringle, President, National Education Association; Dr. Don Haddad, Superintendent, St. Vrain Valley School District (CO); and Luvelle Brown, Ed.D., Superintendent, Ithaca City School District (NY)