The Equity Extra
Equity, Inclusion and Instruction
March 2023 Edition
Josue Honorato
My name is Josue Honorato (he/him) and I am the new LSU Program Coordinator Coordinator for 4J. I am first generation American; my mom is Honduran and my dad is Guatemalan I was lucky to be able to experience growing up in Honduras and being connected with my roots. I returned to the states for High School and ended up realizing that beyond an ESL class, there was limited support for students like me. Not having a school with a strong diversity program was tough, and it inspired me to help level the playing field and provide resources for the students coming after me. I am excited to the have opportunity to be a part of a program for students who straddle a cultural divide every single day.
I am excited to meet you all and get to work alongside you! Feel free to reach out with any questions you have!
Email: honorato_j@4j.lane.edu
Location: Fox Hollow Instructional Center, Mahalo Drive, Eugene, OR, USA
Phone: 458-245-1569
2023 Women's History Month
The women’s history theme for 2023 is, “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” This means recognizing women, past and present, who have been active in all forms of media and storytelling. Including print, radio, TV, stage, screen, podcasts, and more. This theme honors women in every community who have devoted their lives and talents to producing art, pursuing truth, and reflecting the human condition year after year. (https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/)
For this month's Equity Extra, we are recognizing a handful of women of color within our district and asking them to briefly share their stories.
Celebrating Women in 4J who tell their stories
Melissa Ibarra
Director of Elementary Education
1) Share a struggle that you faced in getting to where you are today, and how you overcame this struggle.
From seeking employment after completing college to my first school administrative job - there were many no’s. Those no’s propelled me to ask more questions, expand my professional network, and meet other like-minded individuals (many who became a mentor) that would help shape me into the educator I have become. This job pushes me to want to continue to learn more and expand my own skill set.
2) What achievement in your life thus far are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of the gift of my education. I’m forever thankful to the educators I had in my life since a young age. From my parents and family members to my teachers, to my coaches, to my peers. They believed in me, challenged my thinking, and they pushed me to become the person I am today. I never could’ve imagined that the gift of education would’ve opened so many doors and possibilities for me.
3) What advice do you have for aspiring girls in our community?
Continue to stay curious! We are fortunate to live in a time, where we can choose to surround ourselves with positive people, networks of individuals with a common goal, books, organizations, etc. Believe in yourself because Y O U have what it takes to lead in our community and remember if not you then who will rise to the occasion? You are your ancestors' wildest dreams, make each day count.
Collina Beard
1) Share a struggle that you faced in getting to where you are today, and how you overcame this struggle.
When I was a sophomore in college, my father was laid off from his job. While I was a National Merit scholar and a recipient of my university’s Presidential scholarship, my parents were paying for my room and board. With two younger siblings at home, my parents were unable to continue to support me financially. So, I began to work and go to school. At one point, I had a paid internship that I went to in the mornings, a class in the afternoon, and a part-time job in the evenings and on weekends. Eventually, in order to support myself, I began working full-time and going to school part-time. When I look back on that period in my life, I don’t know how I made it except by divine intervention. The overcoming came with being persistent and continuing to move forward regardless of what barriers, stumbling blocks, or failures I experienced. Don’t get me wrong…there have been plenty of tears, disappointing moments, and temptation to stop or just give up. I think that I never quit because of what my parents and grandparents instilled in me. They ensured that I know who I am and that I’m grounded in that fact.
2) What achievement in your life thus far are you most proud of?
To repeat a cliché, I’m most proud of my family and the life my husband and I have been able to build for them.
3) What advice do you have for aspiring girls in our community?
The first piece of advice is to follow your instincts. There will be times when the people around you will love something or encourage you to engage in an event, behavior, etc.; however, there’s something in you that doesn’t want to do so. You may think, “there’s something not right about that,” or, “that doesn’t feel good or right to me.” Honor that feeling. Don’t dismiss it. You’ll rarely be wrong. Secondly, indulge your curiosity and never be afraid to be the only one in a room asking questions. But, don’t just ask one question. Ask a follow-up question and then a follow-up to the follow-up. You’ll be amazed by the answers you’ll get (or not) and the many interesting conversations you’ll engage in.
Karen Ramirez Gutierrez
El Camino del Río/River Road Principal
1) Share a struggle that you faced in getting to where you are today, and how you overcame this struggle.
Graduating with my teaching license, I had no problem getting into a bilingual teaching position. School districts were eager to hire me as a teacher. It was when I shared an interest in becoming a principal that all of a sudden I saw a shift. I was continually told different messages: that I was not ready, that I did not have the experience, or that I might need to change who I was in order to fit in better. That was a big no thank you for me, I was not going to compromise my heritage of being a Mexican Immigrant and Language Learner in order to get a position. Instead, I made changes that would yield a better outcome. I moved districts because I knew I would never be allowed the opportunity to lead my own building where I was at. There were mentors that have helped me along the way. Going through the OALA protege program and being introduced to many Oregon leaders and superintendents opened the next chapter in my educational journey. I take my job as a building leader very seriously and promote from within and outside of my building. Giving wings to my staff to pursue their dreams gives me wings too. I see it as a win for all of us.
2) What achievement in your life thus far are you most proud of?
Being a mother is incredibly wonderful and hard all at the same time. My two wonderful, little girls make sure I am not consumed by my work as they are little and like my time and attention.
One of my proudest achievements was to become the first in my family to go to high school, and college and get my master's. Receiving honors and walking across the stage multiple times gives me the opportunity to give back and honor the hard labor of my parents and others like me. I always made sure that I would make them proud as they were never given the opportunity to pursue their dreams. I was lucky enough to continue with my studies and never took that for granted. Studies always came first before anything else as I knew education was going to create a better future for me and others.
3) What advice do you have for aspiring girls in our community?
I see you, and I am here to make your journey less painful and hard. You are important and you matter. Find the people that make you want to be better and pursue your dreams.
Dream your best dream for yourself and do not stop until you get there. Always prioritize yourself when it comes to your dreams. That will be one regret you will never have.
District Equity Library
The Equity Library has over 100 titles handpicked by the Directors of Equity and the Equity team. These titles show an in-depth look at the various issues that go hand and hand with equity, race, and inclusion.
Books can be checked out using the form below and will be sent to individuals via interoffice mail. Books need to be returned to the Equity Department 3 weeks after the borrowing date.
Please use this form to check out books from the library.
Transgender Day of Visibility is Friday March 31st. The theme this year is "Trans Resistance".
mark your calendars!
What we are
Reading 📚
Listening to 🎧
In every episode of Inflection Point with Lauren Schiller you’ll hear incredible stories from activists, entrepreneurs, and authority-busters about how they build power and lead change for an equal, just, and joy-filled world. You’ll come away from every conversation with context, hope, and inspiration. Plus, you’ll get expert advice and the tools you need to take action on the issues that matter to you–at home, at work, and in the world. (playerfm.com)