Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy’s Post

Being a K-8 school means allowing Lower School students to be younger for longer while giving Middle School students room to take on leadership roles. As one parent put it, "It was important to us for him to have the space to be himself and learn in a more nurturing environment.” Read more in this article in partnership with Qcitymetro.com. https://lnkd.in/gKSw5dv5

Empowering youth voice through leveraging the value of their leadership through giving them space and the support to share their lived experience as expertise is a perfect strategy that aids our youth in transitioning into adulthood successfully. https://lnkd.in/dWhMhy2v

As we approach the new academic year and conversations on diversity, belonging, inclusion, and equity intensify across our country there is a growing push for transformative leadership and systemic thinking to close opportunity gaps among students of color. The Schools of Opportunity — 10 Research-Based Models of Equity in Action Book tells the stories of schools that used adaptive leadership and cross-team collaboration to create learning opportunities for all students. Filled with inspiring stories of collaborative leadership and student success this book can be a true catalyst for change.

It's exciting to read about the positive experiences happening in our schools! 7 Years of Transformative Leadership at Henry County Schools! 🌟 Under Mary Elizabeth Davis's guidance: ✨ 11-pt growth in state accountability. 🏫 Removed all "F" rated schools. 🌐 Continued academic growth amid COVID. Foundation Building: Aligned board perspectives, clarified roles, and fostered effective communication for stable teaching and learning. Key Questions: 1️⃣ What do teachers teach? 2️⃣ What do kids learn? 3️⃣ What resources support teachers and families? Engaging Stakeholders: Prioritized transparency, created advisory groups, fostering collaborative decision-making. Results of Trust: Davis's consistent engagement and positive results built community trust. Cheers to 7 years of transformative leadership! 🎉👏 #EducationLeadership #TransformativeEducation #MaryElizabethDavis #HenryCountySchools ✨🌍 Learn more about how she did it here: https://lnkd.in/gk5zg_x4

In addition to honoring principals during #NationalPrincipalsMonth, it’s imperative to support their professional growth by providing high-quality preparation and professional development. School leaders play a critical role in student achievement, teacher satisfaction and retention, and institutional strength. As schools and districts address the complex work of readying students for college, careers, and citizenship, school leaders must be prepared and supported to shift institutions toward deeper learning models of education that support all students—fostering learning based on collaboration, critical thinking, and project-based learning. New works by current and former LPI researchers, released during October’s National Principal Month, are designed for education leaders, faculty and scholars of educational leadership, developers of leadership preparation and training programs, and policymakers. They can use these resources to conceptualize learning systems that better serve principals, the staff they support, and, ultimately, all children. Policy brief via Learning Policy Institute https://bit.ly/45whngB

In addition to honoring principals during #NationalPrincipalsMonth, it’s imperative to support their professional growth by providing high-quality preparation and professional development. School leaders play a critical role in student achievement, teacher satisfaction and retention, and institutional strength. As schools and districts address the complex work of readying students for college, careers, and citizenship, school leaders must be prepared and supported to shift institutions toward deeper learning models of education that support all students—fostering learning based on collaboration, critical thinking, and project-based learning. New works by current and former LPI researchers, released during October’s National Principal Month, are designed for education leaders, faculty and scholars of educational leadership, developers of leadership preparation and training programs, and policymakers. They can use these resources to conceptualize learning systems that better serve principals, the staff they support, and, ultimately, all children. Policy brief via Learning Policy Institute https://bit.ly/45whngB

I'm proud to share a compelling piece that I authored that brings to light an often-overlooked issue within higher education: "Examining the Impact of Underfunding at HBCUs on Students and Faculty." This detailed examination offers invaluable insights into the systemic challenges faced by these critical institutions. I invite my network to read and consider the long-term implications of this underfunding, as we work towards sustainable solutions in educational equity. Read the full article below: #HBCUExcellence #EducationReform #StrategicFunding #Leadership #communitybuilding

Read the new blog post to see how members of one United Way of Central Iowa donor affinity group, Education Leadership Initiative (ELI), recognize the importance of central Iowa students being supported during middle school so they can successfully make the transition to high school, receive a high school diploma, and have a plan for their future: https://hubs.ly/Q01XNVcn0

We Are Better Together @ 2023 UTLA Leadership Conference This was an absolutely power packed 3-day leadership training for any teacher leader/organizer. And I am seeing RED. RED because even our hardest working teachers and school workers are as perilously, increasingly housing insecure as our students and their families. The crisis is beyond what I had even imagined. Housing should be one of LAUSD School Board’s top priorities. RED because the charter school movement I had joined in pursuit of social justice is now seen as the enemy of public education. No one seems to remember that it was Albert Shanker himself, the great AFT leader deeply committed to both public education and the labor movement as a means of creating a better life for all Americans, who promulgated, popularized the charter schools concept. Somewhere along the way, the “envisioned small-scale, autonomous schools run by independent mom-and-pop operators who would be positioned to respond to local community needs” have been hijacked. LAUSD’s Community Schools endorsed by UTLA are somewhat reminiscent of Shankler’s vision. As the district fires up its guns to defend itself from declining enrollment, it needs the wisdom to (1) truly embrace All, including the non-elitists unjustly associated with the criticized dominant culture, and (2) distinguish between allies and enemies among the gamut of charters. Thank you UTLA members for shouting out in solidarity that charter school teachers are not the enemy. RED because our LA HNW brothers, even sisters, choose to divide by different colors of skin ✋🏻✋🏼✋🏽✋🏾✋🏿, not unite by same color of blood🩸. What are you waiting for?? Have you ever seen how gentrified public housing is done in Europe?? VACANCY is ultimately the greatest cost/opportunity cost, not higher teachers’ salaries, not paid for or at least affordable teachers’ housing, not new classrooms, not more school resources and facilities. RED because of book burning, book shaming, book banning spreading across our supposedly free thought, free speech country; and teachers being arrested for defending our students’ right to know, to learn - to self-actualize. Let’s plant more trees so we can have more air to breathe and more paper for printing books.

After years of direct investments in schools, with complementary grants to organizations supporting school quality, it was clear that school investments alone were not enough to improve student learning outcomes. Starting in 2016, we focused funding on the interconnected systems of students’ lives (including their families), neighborhoods, and communities, in addition to schools. We sought new opportunities to spur needed change at the individual and system level, commiting to building capacity within individuals to work towards a more equitable, reinvigorated vision of education in Oakland. In our recent “Reflections On: Community Leaders” piece we highlight three rising community leaders who are passionate about making a difference for Oakland students. These leaders are all strong Black female leaders who continue a deep legacy of Black female leadership in social justice and education - Micia Mosely, Daneen Keaton, and Lakisha Young. Read more in the full post below ⬇️ Lead Liberated, The Oakland REACH #oakland #oaklandeducation #oaklandcommunity #oaklandyouth #oaklandschools #OaklandLeader #OaklandStudents #gooutanddogood #CommunityLeaders #Leadership #strongleaders #Oakland #strongBlackleaders