Educational Services Weekly Update
6/5/20
Resources and Research
Antiracist Work
Continuing on what I shared last week and what we discussed in management this week, I wanted to go public with all of you to share what I have been doing in the last week and a half (and truthfully, since 2016). I think it's important to share, especially as a white woman who was born with many unearned advantages in this life, what I'm doing to grow and change our system:
- I am reading How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. I have a list of other recommended books to read to continue to educate myself. Some I've read or will read next include: The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, White Fragility by Robin Diangelo, Me and White Supremacy by Layla F Saad. I keep track of what I read each month on my personal blog. This year I've made a concerted effort to keep track of when I read books by people of different races, ethnicities, orientations, than me, to expand my viewpoints.
- I am donating to causes that are taking action on behalf of the lives of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in our country who have suffered for far too long. Causes like: Black Lives Matter, the ACLU, and the Southern Poverty Law Center.
- I am listening. Last weekend I made an intentional choice to make sure that on Twitter and Instagram I was following more Black voices, from Black activists to educators to small-business owners. A few I might recommend in this time: Shaun King, Rachel Ricketts, Rachel Cargle (highly recommend you watch her address here). Not only did I change my viewpoint, but I also stopped posting, so that voices other than mine would be seen and heard. On Instagram this week, I have only shared posts from Black leaders, to use my privilege and platform to lift up important messages. I try to do the same on Twitter and on my personal blog as well. I also recommend the recent episode of Brene Brown's Unlocking Us podcast where she interviews Ibram X. Kendi, the author of How to Be an Antiracist.
- I am questioning. I have worked as an educator for over 22 years, in two states, and in 6 school districts. I am questioning the policies and procedures that have been in place in all 6 of those districts, and in just some of them. I am questioning my family, my friends, my colleagues, and myself, asking why we do certain things and what changes we need to make. I'm also asking of myself, "What more can I do?"
- I am learning. I have spent the last 6-7 years immersed in cultural proficiency work, but I'm still learning. I am nowhere near an expert, but I know that there are lifetimes and perspectives I haven't experienced. I continue to push myself to learn more. When we know better, we do better.
- I am determined. I am determined to do more, to be better, to ensure we have all the voices at the table.
As you saw, Andree and I sent communication out to families and staff with resources to support entries into this work. Below are a few of what was shared:.
Resources for Educators (some from last week and more!):
- Staff Letter re: George Floyd and Equity
- SDCOE Resources for Educators to Address Race
- Resources for talking about race with children
- SDCOE Equity Resources
For White Teachers in the Time of #BlackLivesMatter - sadly, this was written in 2016 but is still applicable today
Teaching Tolerance is a great resource for educators who wants to learn more themselves about issues of bias and inequities, and then find ways to share their learning with students.
- Did you know that there are Social Justice Standards for education?
- Did you know that they have developed a framework for "Teaching Hard History" to students of all ages?
- Did you know that they have developed a framework for Critical Practices for Anti-Bias Education?
CELEBRATIONS & GRATITUDE!
KUDOS
Please join me in thanking the following!
* Sher and Christine - Thank you for all your work in getting our end-of-year and summer packets copied and out to sites! There have been multiple rounds and we appreciate your support!
* Kristine - Thank you for all your work behind the scenes to set up each of the webinars we did this week, recording them, getting links out to 1200 parents (!), 400 staff members, and more!
* Tiffany and Christy - Thank you for researching all the ways we can "tag" students who enroll in our Distance Learning Model next year! We appreciate your support on this important task.
What is one strategy/ practice that has emerged from distance learning/working that you think we should keep next year?
- Zoom meetings
- Flexible learning for students to learn at their pace
- Student empowered and partnered learning.... "we're all in this together" that includes learning!
- Farm Fact Friday videos
- On line lessons/ distance learning support for teachers digital lessons have been fun to create and teach
- Sometimes with ASPIRE is can be hard for the site leads to leave their schools to drive to the DO for a Site Lead Meeting. A Site Lead Zoom Meeting can allow us to virtually connect and they could still be on site at their schools
- I think the interschool, informal, grade level meetings were well received.
- Purposeful planning of how to communicate in a meaningful way...diverse ways to hook students in authentically based on their interests and passions are happening with great responses. If ever there was an opening to jump into "What matters to you matters"districtwide...this is it! The time is now and it is fresh in all educators' minds how we must work from core meaningful passionate experiences outward. We should charge forward boldly and model/plan/collaborate how to connect standards naturally to key real life learning.
- Keep encouraging teachers to further their digital knowledge and use of technology to continue to increase differentiation.
- Connecting virtually, when appropriate, to minimize drive time. (Definitely need our in person meet ups, but sometimes virtual is a great alternative that minimizes scheduling constraints.
- Collecting all of the online resources/meeting links into one document.
- Collaboration and sharing of ideas across sites. Before COVID this occurred to some degree but there was a dramatic increase when we shifted to distance learning. I saw some really cool things come out of the grade level collaboration zoom meetings, the daily LMA meetings, and teacher treehouse. Once things go back to "normal" it would be really cool to see something like the treehouse offered regularly so both teachers and classified staff have a forum to come and share ideas and receive feedback from their peers.
- Having students demonstrate their learning on digital platforms (Flipgrid) instead of paper pencil.
Distance Learning Key Links/ Resources
- Cloud Classroom Resources (Google folders of all training videos and supports)
Cloud Classroom Connections - This PowerSchool page has all of the Cloud Classroom Resources shared with you in a different format. Find what works best for you and bookmark that site for your reference!
Learning @ Home - parent resource website
Short term needs list (being updated for principal reference)
Updates & Calendar items of interest
Please see below
Key date for you:
- 6/9 - 8:00 AM ILC
- 6/12 - Last day of distance learning instruction
- 6/16- NO ILC
- 6/23 - Final ILC of the year
Educational Services
Email: amy.illingworth@eusd.net
Website: www.eusd.net
Phone: 760-944-4300
Twitter: @AmyLIllingworth