# data[].attributes.body
What does your ideal school look like?
My ideal school looks like a place of transparency and cultural representation. Ideally, it would be a many melting pot where labels have disintegrated along with the need for c urriculum that is not culturally relevant or concerting. I would love to see standardized testing go away as well and education come to the helm of being authentic(devoid of common core over everything).

How is it different from what there is now?
I would say my ideas maybe extremely different from where we are now. May be a bit radical for the school system.

What do you believe are critical components to achieving equity in schools?
I would say equity would come when you start looking at people as equal until then there is not equity.

# data[].attributes.body
Meaningful professional development for teachers on creating an equitable classroom.

Adaptive curriculum that fits more than one student’s needs and is current with events happening today

Funding for more classrooms and classroom teachers to reduce class sizes.

Additional resources to support our student’s mental health and training for teachers on how to support them in the classroom.

# data[].attributes.body
Summer vacation is a terrible idea. Super School meets year round. Why not meet year round, then build 2-week breaks in every 2 months or so instead of one long break in the middle? The loss over summer is so damaging.

# data[].attributes.body
This is debatable and controversial.. but grades not based on age

Flexible groupings based on needs/strengths

Obviously there would need to be boundaries...but so many students are "behind" for their age. I think it is just hypocritical...

# data[].attributes.body
All schools need have teachers that want to create strong and lasting relationships with their students. This strong relationships can then lead into building a equal and high quality education.

Schools need to have high expectations for all students, regardless of race/ethnicity. For students with IEP/504, having those same high standards, but providing necessary and meaningfully supports so they can achieve those goals.

Having a curriculum that involves students cultures, but also cultures from around the county. Schools need to not only have collaborative planning in-house, but also with other teachers from around the county.

# data[].attributes.body
Learner centered education that goes beyond textbooks and standardized testing.  A belief that all students are capable of learning and challenging all students, not just those who are labeled 'gifted.'  Supporting teachers with PD and resources.
Creating a community within the school so that all students and their families feel comfortable and supportive.

# data[].attributes.body
All schools have equal resources no matter the zip code.

Professional development for teachers revolving around equity.

High expectations for all students regardless of background.

# data[].attributes.body
Resources for all students and their backgrounds. Not operating under a "1 type of fix for most students". PD's are all school based, because the content will move with the school or where the school wants to be, and will touch on topics that will set teachers up for success in any population.

# data[].attributes.body
Most or all staff members focusing on what students are capable of, and not on their "deficits."

Collaborative planning school wide that utilizes inclusive resources, so individuals belonging to marginalized communities feel represented and seen.

# data[].attributes.body
One critical component to achieving equity in our schools is providing a space and curriculum to discuss uncomfortable conversations. This will help students to see themselves in the classroom and feel welcome in the learning community.

# data[].attributes.body
Supporting the physical, emotional and mental health needs of students and families in addition to the academics. Teachers who want to teach and believe that all students can and will learn. Parents involved in the decision-making process as it relates to their child and the school at large. Teachers teaching each other and learning from each other in a non-evaluative setting.

# data[].attributes.body
Grounded in experiential learning.  Students read historical context, go into the field to see it firsthand or to do hands-on learning, then return to school to reflect on what they saw or experienced.  The experience itself becomes the teacher.

Super school should also involve physical fitness and health education.  Kids need opportunities to stand up, chase each other, and learn how to take care of their bodies.
Finally, super school is financially viable.  If it's private, it needs endowment so that anyone can attend, not just the super rich.  If it's public, it is not tied to property taxes and has the same resources as any other school.
And, while we're in dreamworld, they might as well serve Chick-Fil-A for lunch every day too.

# data[].attributes.body
A school that successfully achieves equity considers community outreach measures and makes an effort to positively involve families, has a diverse staff (not just in terms of race or ethnicity, but also sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic background, etc.), has a well-rounded and varied curriculum which makes relevant real world connections, and sets high expectations for students in terms of academic performance (along with staff members regarding instruction).

# data[].attributes.body
My ideal school would allow students more voice in course options.  They would also be able to choice which classes they would like to take. Each course would be project-based. For instance they would have to fulfill a literature requirement but they could choice between “Examining literary Elements and development in manga” or “Journey through the Harlem Renaissance.” Students would have leveled flipped instruction so students who were ready to progress could self-pace while others who need more support could receive more personal attention. Giving students agency is the biggest component to my ideal school.

# data[].attributes.body
I'm not currently teaching but when I was teaching just 5 years ago, there was no talk to equity or social justice. Text books had limited diversity and superficial themes of diversity in the curriculum. So much has changed and I'm so glad it has.
If I could dream big...
Additional funding and support for students with mental health issues  and trauma. This includes additional training for teachers. Themes of empathy and emotional competence  built into the curriculum. Students aren't given enough time to emote and reflect on those emotions and what they mean. We need to teach this skill just as much as we need to teach phonics or math. I think this emotional maturity would lend itself to increased empathy and the ability to turn toward social justice.

# data[].attributes.body
-Diverse population of teachers
-Changing curriculum to follow current events
-Less mandatory testing/data driven plans (the focus in my school remains on reading and math specifically. there are no other priorities)
-No title 1....everyone gets equal resources

# data[].attributes.body
* Encourage students to maintain their connection to their home culture and language.
* High expectations for all= no tracking.
* Emphasize kids getting to know all kinds of other kids
* Let the students give the messy democratic process a try.
* Cultivate strong relationships between adults and kids (and when they aren't working, work to fix them).

# data[].attributes.body
Talking through conflicts and using I-statements
Having a range of cultures represented in the student and teacher populations
Assessments based on life skills
Building student esteem to believe in themselves and others
Raising student voices to be heard in the practices in the school
Equal resources

# data[].attributes.body
The way we look at our students is essential. The way we talk about them is essential. They are valuable and unique. We must be listeners so we can hear their stories.

Each school must adapt to those it serves and yet be inclusive.

# data[].attributes.body
My ideal school would look like all students being fully educated and teachers believing that all students are highly capable.  My school would be full of learners - both the students and the teachers.  My school would honor and embrace our differences.  My school would welcome community members and actively seek out ways to include all families.
My current school often talks about students from a deficit stance.  Students and their perspectives are not always considered.  Our teacher representation does not match our student representation - not all students see themselves in leadership roles.

# data[].attributes.body
- School is inclusive, welcoming, and safe community for all students and teachers
-focus on student as whole person not a number
-students are treated equitably - not every student has the same needs, but all student academic and personal needs should be addressed
-No students w/ reading failure - all students successfully reading and comprehending text by 3rd grade
-high quality PD for teachers
-teachers have paid planning days
-counselors present at school every day
-parents are active participants in student learning

# data[].attributes.body
My ideal middle school would not team teach for the convenience of a schedule. Students would be placed in their core
classes by their instructional level needs.

# data[].attributes.body
An ideal would teach a multicultural curriculum that does teach to the reality of the world we live. Students would be involved in projects that connect them to people of different ages, abilities, races, nationalities. In order for teachers to really build relationships and know students, class sizes would have to be limited. The arts would be integrated into all lessons and teachers would have time for actual development of skills and pedagogy. Community members and parents would have active roles in the classrooms and school to add a variety of opinions and voices.

# data[].attributes.body
-ALL staff members providing ALL students with opportunities to see/share their cultures, beliefs, identities throughout literature, their school building, etc.
-Increased number of school counselors, social workers, special educators, etc.
-Flexible curriculum allowing for teacher choice
-No high stakes testing
-Make decisions based on putting the students first not necessarily other voices in the community
-Better opportunities for adequate student placement/LRE
-Community interaction

# data[].attributes.body
The purpose of schools has definitely evolved over the years and serves many different functions.

My ideal school would have ample opportunity for students to engage in authentic interactions with one another. Currently I feel like my school is very curriculum/content driven, leaving out other aspects of teaching the whole child. In order for schools to be equitable we must first know our students, and they need to know one another.

Staff should also be well informed about supporting students of various backgrounds and in various situations. Our school is shifting towards a more restorative mindset, but many are stuck in more "old school" ways of thinking.

Staff that is more representative/diverse would also be a positive change. Currently  over 60% of students are Black, but we only have 4 or 5 teachers who are. We also have many languages spoken but few teachers who speak student home languages.

No more "carrots" and "sticks" - not a fan of PBIS! Building empathy, intrinsic motivation for students, and accountability for oneself should be the priority.

# data[].attributes.body
An ideal school would a curriculum that is continuously changing to adapt to the needs of the students. The curriculum would include problem based learning units that connect to real world current events and would integrate other subjects.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Setting a shared vision for what the goals are for students and staff

2. Diversity material not only literacy but with other key materials in class such as manipulatives and self selected toys.

3. A great amount of collaboration across grade levels

4.Increased family involvement

5. Guest speakers/Staff/Volunteers from a variety of cultures