Reader ,

Today marks the 70th anniversary of the Brown vs Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas unanimous Supreme Court decision which made racial segregation in schools unconstitutional finding that "separate but equal" was "inherently unequal." In 1954, this was considered a landmark decision. While we know the intentions behind the decision - to live up to the constitution of our nation which states in part, "all men are created equal." While we know, in pockets, our nation has not totally lived up to this promise, we are certainly closer than we were prior to this decision...in some ways.

I certainly do not need to discuss the challenges we face as a system in education. Inequities still exist. Poverty. Trauma. Societal ills which are more complex than they were in 1954 plague schools today.

There is still much work to do to insure all students receive an equitable, inclusive educational experience. Let us pause to acknowledge those not only on the national level but those in your community who have fought and continue to fight to ensure every child truly means every child, every day. The problems we face are daunting.

So you may ask, "What can I do?

🌟I encourage every educator to become aware of how systems work. Attend school board meetings - you do not need a reason or invite. As a tax paying citizen, you have every right to attend the meetings. Most meetings are live streamed so if you can't attend, you can view them at your convenience.

🌟Know the names of those who represent your community at the local, state and national levels. They all have email addresses, physical addresses and phone numbers. Let your voice be heard and advocate for students and teachers. Let them be aware of how the decisions they make affect the families and students that you teach and serve in your schools.

If you follow me on social media, I share a read each month. Join me this month as I read:

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Another action you can take is make sure you keep your skills set up to date. As we wrap up the school year, you will have time for some reading! 😉

Head on over to Amazon and purchase S.T.A.N.D.: Five Powerful Strategies for Overcoming Barriers to Becoming an Instructional Leader. Through an easy to remember acronym, I provide current and aspiring instructional leaders with the tools to guide your schools to achieving an equitable instructional experience for all of your students...which will assist in living out the purpose of the Brown vs Board decision.

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Until next time,

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