Equity Scenario #2: There have been comments made by some staff members which seemed to trivialize past equity work, showing that some leaders either do not equate the work we are doing with students, staff, and community members’ real current and historical existence or may not understand the purpose or importance of the work. When we treat equity as “professional development” and we do not reframe our thinking around the real purpose of the work- to better understand other human beings of like or different races who may or may not have the same lived experiences as we do- we “do equity” superficially to check boxes but not to institute intrinsically motivated learning and change. While I do not believe most leaders' comments were ill-intended at all, we must be aware of the impact of our words. Wanting to measure progress toward being “equitable leaders” is often perceived as needed, when the progress is in the learning. Not superficially checking something off the list. The work is never done for any leader of any color. by Amy Mason

Equity Scenario #2: There have been comments made by some staff members which seemed to trivialize past equity work, showing that some leaders either do not equate the work we are doing with students, staff, and community members’ real current and historical existence or may not understand the purpose or importance of the work. When we treat equity as “professional development” and we do not reframe our thinking around the real purpose of the work- to better understand other human beings of like or different races who may or may not have the same lived experiences as we do- we “do equity” superficially to check boxes but not to institute intrinsically motivated learning and change. While I do not believe most leaders' comments were ill-intended at all, we must be aware of the impact of our words. Wanting to measure progress toward being “equitable leaders” is often perceived as needed, when the progress is in the learning. Not superficially checking something off the list. The work is never done for any leader of any color. by Amy Mason https://padlet.com/amymmason/ik44yeno704ai2ki Leader Learning 2/24/22 en-us 2022-02-23 14:20:33 UTC 2022-02-24 20:45:03 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.com/amymmason/ik44yeno704ai2ki/wish/2065297072 We are hoping the education is moving towards seeing teachers as human and knowing that this is not separate work, this is part of our life and who we are. It is more than just professional development, it is personal development as well. ]]> 2022-02-24 20:36:59 UTC https://padlet.com/amymmason/ik44yeno704ai2ki/wish/2065297072 Lifelong learning https://padlet.com/amymmason/ik44yeno704ai2ki/wish/2065301701 Everyone needs to continue to learn. We need to get out of the mindset of professional development. We need to come to the idea of growth and the idea that this is going to take time. We need to get out of the mindset that we are going to accomplish equity. People's lived experiences need to really be understood and appreciated. Make a conscious decision to grow.]]> 2022-02-24 20:40:54 UTC https://padlet.com/amymmason/ik44yeno704ai2ki/wish/2065301701 Professional Development is Personal Development https://padlet.com/amymmason/ik44yeno704ai2ki/wish/2065301779 2022-02-24 20:40:59 UTC https://padlet.com/amymmason/ik44yeno704ai2ki/wish/2065301779 https://padlet.com/amymmason/ik44yeno704ai2ki/wish/2065304788 It is important that even for us leaders, that we communicate that we are not perfect and continue to learn and grow. Being vulnerable is important. ]]> 2022-02-24 20:42:59 UTC https://padlet.com/amymmason/ik44yeno704ai2ki/wish/2065304788 Calling in and Calling out https://padlet.com/amymmason/ik44yeno704ai2ki/wish/2065304879 We need to consider how our comments our going to be perceived. ]]> 2022-02-24 20:43:04 UTC https://padlet.com/amymmason/ik44yeno704ai2ki/wish/2065304879 https://padlet.com/amymmason/ik44yeno704ai2ki/wish/2065305295 This is another realistic example. Are we doing professional development or are we doing anti-racist work. We are trying to challenge thinking. We would like to move away from Professional Development, and more of a shift. We feel that going back to student groups would be highly effective to make a culture change. This won't feel like PD- it wil be able to apply the work that we will do with our students every day. ]]> 2022-02-24 20:43:23 UTC https://padlet.com/amymmason/ik44yeno704ai2ki/wish/2065305295 https://padlet.com/amymmason/ik44yeno704ai2ki/wish/2065306028 Shifting the mindset to growth. ]]> 2022-02-24 20:44:06 UTC https://padlet.com/amymmason/ik44yeno704ai2ki/wish/2065306028 Separate important stuff from the noise https://padlet.com/amymmason/ik44yeno704ai2ki/wish/2065306092 How do we separate THIS work from the noise(policy, paperwork, other MCPS directives)? This is critical! But, teachers might lump this in with other "stuff."]]> 2022-02-24 20:44:09 UTC https://padlet.com/amymmason/ik44yeno704ai2ki/wish/2065306092 Life is about learning, unlearning, and relearning in every aspect of our lives. https://padlet.com/amymmason/ik44yeno704ai2ki/wish/2065307181 2022-02-24 20:45:03 UTC https://padlet.com/amymmason/ik44yeno704ai2ki/wish/2065307181