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03-21-Cultural Competency Work Continues with "Operationalizing Equity Workshop" at GBCS
In recent years, Grand Blanc Community Schools and our district leadership team have been diligently working to support diversity and promote equity in our school system. We have collaborated with Dr. Jay Marks (Oakland Schools), Dr. Virginia Winter (Wayne RESA), and most recently with Robin Carter-Cooper, Ed.S. (Oakland County). All of these individuals are experts in their field and have supported our staff in these efforts.
Dr. Winters leads difficult conversations about cultural competency at an administration meeting in 2020.
Through our Strategic Planning process, the need to sustain this work internally when our consultants leave Grand Blanc was identified. Work to form an internal “Equity Team” began, that could keep the momentum going in this area and identify measurable outcomes throughout our operation.
Sonya James, Principal at Mason Elementary, was selected as our district's Instructional Equity Coordinator, a new role created to oversee these efforts. She has already hit the ground running in this work, creating a team of coaches who will branch out to support our buildings and teaching staff, with the goal of making Grand Blanc Schools a more welcoming, safe, and effective educational institution for all of our staff and students.
Mrs. James and Dr. Alward introduce Robin Cooper at the "Operationalizing Equity" Workshop on March 24th, 2021.
Robin Carter-Cooper, Ed.S. is the Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer for Oakland County. She is also a parent of two students at Myers Elementary, so she knows our district personally. On Wednesday, March 24th, Mrs. Carter-Cooper spent the day with our building and district leaders, leading a workshop entitled 'Operationalizing Equity'. Our district is starting a bottom-up movement beginning with our own staff, where each building and department will become intentional about making equity a part of the fabric of Grand Blanc Schools.
Robin Carter-Cooper, Ed.S.
Expect to hear more in the near future about the efforts of Mrs. James and our district's Instructional Equity team. This work will be an ongoing journey for our leadership, staff, and families.
"One essential outcome in this initial phase of the conversation is to establish that racial, cultural and economic differences are real - and that they make a difference in education outcomes." - Gary R. Howard