Equity ERA in Colonial: Engage, Reflect, Act
The Colonial School District remains committed to its work towards seeking equity in the workforce, the classroom, and in the community. This intentional movement called ERA has been designed to Engage all employees in courageous conversations around equity while allowing participants to Reflect on their own identity and self-awareness and to Act to create change for our students and the greater community (ERA). There are several groups committed to do this work:
Equity Practitioner Program
The goal of this program is to learn, discuss and explore systematic racism and oppression.
Participants hold clinics and seminars with fellow district employees as well as those at the Odyssey Charter School. William Penn teacher Shelby Borst says, “Our work within the Equity Practitioner’s Program has been an incredibly powerful experience. It is important for a variety of reasons – from our own personal journeys to being the change we want to see in our district, our community, and in larger society. We want to arm ourselves with the knowledge and language that is needed to make systemic change in this country. We not only want to empower our students with the same knowledge and tools that we have received within this program, but we envision a more equitable, fair, and safe environment for our students to thrive.”
The Proximity Project
Eight teacher leaders and administrators are participating in an eight-week program that prompts them to examine and reform how they interact with and serve communities of color.
This group has had equity conversations with students, families, and community members.
Wilbur Assistant Principal Kishayla Payne-Miller says, “This work is important because a lot is happening in the world and I need to be able to engage in those tough conversations to be prepared to handle situations as they arise. I feel the equity conversations have allowed me to be conscious of what is happening in the world, gain different perspectives, and have the knowledge needed to engage in various conversations. It has also allowed me to share my story with others and allow them to understand my experiences.
Dr. Crystal Lancour, who is also Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction says, “My goal for participating in the Proximity Project was to deepen my own understanding of race and equity to be able to strengthen our efforts here in Colonial, most specifically focused on our professional learning for our staff. Based on my experiences in this program, I have already started to embed many of the activities into our learning experiences for Colonial across many levels.”
Learn more about the project at https://www.teensharp.org/tpp/
equitymeeting.webp
Equity Professional Development
Co-Lead Facilitator Dr. Crystal Lancour says these PD sessions among staff in all schools and divisions have been a huge success. Feedback from participants include comments like:
-
- “Thank you for this training, especially keeping it to our school family. It was much easier to talk and be vulnerable. I appreciate your leadership with this topic, you are helping us all as teachers make history.”
- “This is such important work! Proud to be in Colonial where we truly know “WE” means ALL – thank you!!!”
- “These are great! Please continue to MAKE us do them, they are MUCH needed!!”