[Podcast] Hiring and Sustaining Teachers of Color feat. Tiffany Brunson
Tiffany Brunson, superintendent of Elementary School District 159 in Illinois, reflects on a time when she was the only person of color on a school staff. She talks about addressing issues that often make people uncomfortable. Brunson asks school leaders to think about minority students and their experiences in school. It’s the primary reason that students […]
Collegiate Edu-Nation Model Carving Post-Secondary Pathways for Students in Disadvantaged Rural Communities
Todd Dugan has been hearing the doomsayers for years. The superintendent in Bunker Hill, a community of 1,600 residents in southwestern Illinois, is quite familiar with the widespread notion that brain drain, the death of rural schools and the dwindling of rural communities is an inevitability. He begs to differ. “I don’t subscribe to that. […]
Starr Emphasizes Strategic Planning Through a Strong Equity Lens in His Conference Session
In a small conference room in San Diego, AASA members on Friday could be heard having a lively conversation regarding the role equity has played in educational practices. This discussion, facilitated by Joshua Starr, managing partner of the Center for Model Schools, was a part of his broader presentation, “Equity Based Leadership: How to Use […]
[Video] Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (2:56)
A workshop dedicated to learning about how school districts are integrating diversity, equity and Inclusion (DEI) hosted by Lee Teitel. This story was produced by AB Ross at the 2024 National Conference on Education in San Diego, Calif.
Equity and Excellence atop the Menu as Always at the Dr. Effie H. Jones Memorial Equity Luncheon
“We can. We will. We must.” That was the message of award recipient Alena Zachery-Ross at the Dr. Effie Hall Jones Memorial Equity Lunch on Friday at AASA’s National Conference on Education. The annual luncheon, held at the AASA national conference, remembers Jones, who was a teacher, counselor and school administrator for 15 years and served […]
New Hampshire Panel Details the School District’s Tack for Countering Opposition to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Work
The AASA conference panel “Introducing, implementing and sustaining DEI in Predominately White School Communities” on Friday afternoon offered advice on how to include more attention to diversity, equity and inclusion in school districts, even in places where there is some opposition to the work. The session was led by three employees of New Hampshire’s School […]
[Video] Interview: Ryan, Mejia and Andreski on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (9:45)
District leaders led interactive conversations surrounding how to implement diversity, equity and inclusion. Watch this in-depth interview with Andres Mejia, Christopher Andriski and David Ryan on implementing DEI in predominantly white school communities. This story was produced by Angelina D’Elia at the 2023 AASA Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Read more.
Superintendents Jointly Advance Work of Diversity, Inclusion in Schools
The AASA conference session “BIPOC and White District Leaders Work on Race and Equity Together” addressed diversity, belonging, inclusion and equity as steps to creating an equitable culture in the workplace and schools. The Thursday morning panel was facilitated by Lee Teitel, founding director at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Darnisa Amante-Jackson, founder/president […]
Bedell Details His Deft Approach to Transitioning as Superintendent During Politically Divisive Times
Mark Bedell, superintendent of Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Annapolis, Md., delivered advice for superintendents transferring into highly politically charged school districts by sharing his journey and recent transition from Kansas City. During Thursday’s conference session, Bedell laid out his plan for navigating the tense political climate in Anne Arundel County. He began his […]
[Video] Paul Freeman on the Challenges of White Superintendents Confronting Racism in School Communities (3:40)
Paul Freeman, superintendent of Connecticut’s Guilford Public Schools, shares best practices on how white superintendents can learn together about the critical issues of race, racism and equity. Freeman led the session “Personal, Professional and Practical Challenges for White Superintendents Confronting Racism” at AASA’s National Conference on Education in Nashville, Tenn. (Video produced by Selah Oden)