Leading for Equity: Engaging Community Beyond the Schoolhouse

Presented by Dr. Russell Booker, Executive Director of the Spartanburg Academic Movement (SAM) and former District 7 Superintendent, Spartanburg, SC
Moderated by Dr. David Schuler, Superintendent, District 214, Chicago, IL and former AASA President

Hosted by AASA, The Superintendents Association 
AASA’s Leadership Network, providing premier professional learning for educational leaders

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Recently retired school superintendent (Spartanburg County School District Seven, SC), Dr. Russell Booker knows transformational change begins with challenging the status quo and requiring a broad engagement of community beyond the schoolhouse. Dr. Booker shares his insights on intentional focus for removing barriers to students’ economic opportunities post-graduation. As a dynamic, forward thinking superintendent and as the new executive director of the Spartanburg Academic Movement, Dr. Booker will discuss how utilization of human, financial and social capital can change mindsets and hearts of a community.

Essential Questions:

• How do educational leaders begin the work of intentionally moving community advocates and allies in the work of leading diversity, equity and inclusion within our schools?
• What are strategies for engaging chambers of commerce and non-profits in tackling practices that have disparate impact on children of color?
• What is a ‘Whole Community to support a Whole Child’ approach to transforming schools and how can it remove education and economic disparities?

Viewers will learn about strategies to address systemic disparities and inequities in order to benefit all students.

About the Presenter

Dr. Russell W. Booker, the Executive Director of the Spartanburg Academic Movement (SAM), believes our greatest hope for the future is to inspire and equip our children for meaningful lives of leadership and service. He received his bachelor’s degree in Education from Wingate University and his Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

Lauded as a values-based leader and a champion for equity and education, Russell retired as Superintendent of Spartanburg County School District Seven after a 28-year career in education during which he garnered a wide range of regional, state, and national distinctions. He is a South Carolina Liberty Fellow and a graduate of the Diversity Leaders Initiative through the Riley Institute.

Russell, a Certified Diversity Executive, and his wife Sheryl recently founded One Acorn, an agency that helps organizations, individuals, and communities fulfill the potential within through enlightened, authentic, values-based leadership centered on collective impact for equity.

About the Host

Dr. David R. Schuler is the 2018 Illinois and National Superintendent of the Year. Known for his ability to inspire and build leaders, he spearheaded Redefining Ready!, the national movement to redefine what it means for students to be college, career and life ready while serving as the 2015-2016 President of AASA, The School Superintendents Association.

Dr. Schuler has served 20 years as a superintendent, 15 of which currently leading High School District 214, Illinois’ largest high school district, where he led the development of an innovative instructional philosophy around personalized learning experiences focused on career pathways, early college credit, and industry credentials that enables students to discover their futures while still in high school. In addition, District 214 now teaches computer science to all 12,000 students, and its six schools were among only seven in the nation to pilot an iOS app development curriculum, initiatives which were recognized by the Obama White House.

Dr. Schuler earned his bachelor’s degree from Carroll University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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The AASA Leadership Network drives superintendent success, innovation and growth, shaping the future of public education while preparing students for what’s next. We are the largest, most diverse network of superintendents in America. Passionate and committed, we connect educational leaders to the professional learning, leadership development, relationships and partnerships they need to ensure a long career of impact.