Gary Williams’ Post

As educators, we have the immense responsibility and privilege of shaping the future of all our students. However, when it comes to Black students, there’s a unique set of challenges and opportunities that we must consciously address. The achievement gap, systemic biases, and a lack of representation in the curriculum are issues that we can’t afford to ignore. Empowering Black students starts with creating a classroom environment where they feel seen, heard, and valued. This means integrating culturally relevant pedagogy, advocating for equitable resources, and challenging stereotypes that may unconsciously influence our expectations. But it doesn't stop there. We must also strive to build strong relationships with families and communities, understanding that education extends beyond the classroom walls. It’s about listening to their stories, respecting their experiences, and collaborating to support every child's journey. The success of Black students is not just about academic achievement—it's about nurturing their confidence, resilience, and sense of self-worth. When we work together to create an inclusive, affirming educational experience, we unlock the potential in every student, paving the way for a brighter future. Let’s continue to challenge the status quo and commit to doing the work necessary to ensure that our Black students thrive—not just survive. #Education #Equity #BlackStudentsMatter #EducationalLeadership #Inclusion #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #BlackExcellence

Mentorship matters. When I transitioned to Howard University in 2020, one of the first people to embrace me was Dr. Kmt Shockley, Professor of Educational Administration and Policy Studies. Dr. Kmt Shockley is a scholar in African Centered Education, and he has conducted award winning research on the education of Black children. My first magazine article at HU SOE, published by the National Association of Secondary School Principals Principal Magazine, was co-written with Dr. Shockley. It was titled, “3 Strategies to Correct the Historical Challenges of Recruiting and Retaining Black Teachers”. Here are 3 nuggets: Systemically teach Black culture: Give more than lip service on DEI. Incorporate the direct teaching of Black culture into all aspects of your school program. Make space for Black voices: Empower people of color in your school district by directly seeking their voices and responding to what you hear. Clarify your mission: Center people of color and commit to addressing historical inequities. Correcting historical inequities takes intentional action. If you want to recruit and retain Black people and other people of color, show them you respect them by listening, responding, and committing to improving outcomes for them. School districts must not only promote people of color, but they must also support them when they are in the roles by affirming their cultures and making a space for their voices, which may provide different perspectives from the dominant white culture. Districts must also commit to actively improving outcomes for staff, families, and communities of color. Bottom line: We can recruit more Black teachers and teachers of color if our actions show that we see, hear, and value them. You can read the article here: https://lnkd.in/di9yA6fH  #MindsetMonday #FindingtheJosephWithin #Wearetheanswer

"When you feel like you’re contributing something mightily to a group of people who you identify with, who you share a cultural background with, ... it gives you hope, it gives you inspiration.”  –  Sharif El-Mekki, Founder and CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development A recent article from Education Week reveals that Black teachers report the highest morale among their peers. This inspiring insight highlights the resilience and dedication of Black educators who continue to make significant impacts in their schools despite numerous challenges.   Key factors contributing to high morale:  ✨Community connection: Many Black teachers express a strong sense of community and purpose, driven by their commitment to improving educational outcomes for students of color ✨Cultural representation: The ability to provide culturally relevant education and serve as role models for students who share their backgrounds is a crucial motivational factor ✨Supportive networks: Effective mentorship and professional development opportunities tailored to the needs of Black educators play a vital role in maintaining high morale   Let's continue to celebrate and support our dedicated educators who inspire and lead the next generation.   To read more: https://lnkd.in/eRh-eVA4   #Education #Teachers #Diversity #Inclusion #EducatorMorale

To create an inclusive and holistic educational environment for all students: Part I 1. Decentering Colon/!ality: Curriculum and Pedagogy A crucial starting point is decolonizing the curriculum. This does not mean sprinkling in diverse authors or celebrating Black History Month, but fundamentally questioning the dominance of Eurocentric narratives and values in education. The ideal school would center marginalized voices, particularly those from Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color, who have historically been silenced in mainstream curricula. Black feminist scholars such as bell hooks, Audre Lorde, and Patricia Hill Collins have argued for a pedagogy that recognizes the experiences of the oppressed and places them at the forefront of learning. As hooks writes in Teaching to Transgress, “Education as the practice of freedom” requires that students learn to question the structures that oppress them and reimagine their role in the world. In this ideal school, ethnic studies would not be an elective but integrated into every subject. Students would learn history from the perspectives of colonized peoples, science through the contributions of non-Western scholars, and literature that amplifies the voices of the global majority. Decentering whiteness (not the hue or color but the supremacy part) is not simply about adding different perspectives but fundamentally shifting the frame from which we understand knowledge itself. In doing so, we honor the counter-narratives that Daniel Solórzano and Tara Yosso discuss, where stories of resistance become a powerful tool for reimagining the future of education. #TraumaInformed #HealingOrganizedSchools #APedagogyOfLove

Educators, it’s time to crunch the numbers and face the facts! Black teachers are superheroes for Black students. Research throws down some undeniable stats! Black teachers = Higher test scores, stronger belonging, and college dreams taking flight for Black students. (Think Black Panther graduation rates, not detention!) Why the magic? Black teachers believe in their students’ potential, build positive connections, and expect greatness. (It’s the “we see you, we believe in you” effect.) Black teachers still only make up 6% of the public school workforce! That’s a representation crisis bigger than a misplaced decimal point. And guess what? Many teachers are leaving the field altogether. The question isn’t “self-care for Black teachers?” It’s “how do we stop the exodus?” Before we jump to solutions, let’s diagnose the problem. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dissect the reasons behind this teacher flight and brainstorm ways to keep these superheroes in our classrooms! Thoughts?🤔 #BlackBrillianceInTheClassroom #RepresentationMatters #EquityInEducation #BeyondSelfCare #TeacherRetentionRevolution #NumbersDontLie #BlackStudentSuccess #EmpoweringEducators #StayTuned https://lnkd.in/dh9huVtV

I just revisited this wonderful opinion piece from Dr. Phelton Cortez Moss, Ph.D., which was featured in The Hechinger Report earlier this year. Dr. Moss noted that, "only 10% of public school principals nationwide are Black, which helps explain why hiring and retaining Black teachers has been so problematic.." He suggested that: 💡 School leaders should prioritize recruiting and retaining Black teachers and other teachers of color. 💡 District leaders should establish and scale grow-your-own and teacher residency programs. 💡 "State policymakers must also invest in HBCUs and other institutions (such as Hispanic-serving institutions and institutions serving Native Americans) serving populations underrepresented in teaching." 💡 Elected officials should sustain and grow "loan forgiveness programs to make them better recruiting tools." As we grow the pipeline of Black teachers, we can grow the pipeline of Black principals focused on recruiting and retaining Black teachers. It's a cycle. Through investing time, money, and attention into recruiting and retaining BIPOC teachers, school leaders, and other folx serving in education-related roles, I believe we can accelerate students' academic growth and personal belonging. Thank you Dr. Moss for writing this excellent piece! #education #educationalequity #students #teachers #principals

Black students in public schools have been left behind by their white peers for the past 10 years, and the COVID-19 pandemic widened the achievement gap. The Fortune School of Education is addressing this issue by launching an initiative to hire more teachers of color. Studies show that having teachers of the same race improves students' social, emotional, and academic outcomes. The initiative aims to increase the diversity of the education workforce and ensure that Black and Brown students have access to educators who understand their cultural heritage. The impact of having a Black teacher is especially significant for Black boys, reducing their likelihood of dropping out of school and increasing their likelihood of enrolling in college. The article emphasizes the importance of collective commitment to closing the achievement gap and ensuring all students succeed. 📰Tamara Williams ( Fortune School of Education ) 🔗https://lnkd.in/gFU2xhJS 📰 🗞️ 📰 🗞️ 📰 🗞️ 📰 🗞️ #teachersofcolor #closingtheachievementgap #diversityineducation #blackteachersmatter #studentoutcomes

In the article, "A Call for Black Superintendents to Document their Experiences Through Autoethnography", I share some facts about the experiences of Black superintendents. You can read the article here to get the specific citations: https://lnkd.in/di9yA6fH Increasing the number of Black U.S. superintendents is important, particularly in districts serving large populations of Black students, as research has shown that Black students do better when they see and learn from Black leaders. Black students make up 14% of the U.S. public school population but only approximately 3% of superintendents are Black. Black superintendents, through their lived experiences, are more likely to understand the cultural needs of Black children and hire Black teachers. In one study, Black students who had two Black teachers by third grade were 32% more likely to enroll in college. Black superintendents are more likely to hire teachers and staff who reflect student identities and are less likely to criminalize student misconduct. Educational leaders with identities that reflect the students they serve are more likely to lead their schools with culturally responsive strategies that have a positive influence on students’ well-being and academic outcomes. In summary, Black superintendents matter and understanding their experiences is worthy of academic study. Check out this 2 minute video that discusses this fact. #SundaySermon #BlackSuperintendentsMatter HU SOE Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates

As a Black woman navigating academia as I complete my PhD, I've faced systemic barriers that go beyond the classroom—microaggressions, gaslighting, and the expectation to fit into a 'one-size-fits-all' model. These experiences, unfortunately, aren’t unique, and many Black students in predominantly White institutions (PWIs) struggle with similar challenges. In my latest article, Navigating the Silent Struggles of Black Students in Predominantly White Institutions I reflect on how these silent struggles affect student success and well-being, and why institutional accountability is crucial. Leading me to ask, 'Have you ever felt dismissed or unsupported in academic or professional settings? How did you handle it?' Check it out and let me know your thoughts! Read the full article here: [https://lnkd.in/g7qGb9jB] #BlackStudents #HigherEducation #PWIs #InstitutionalRacism #Microaggressions #Gaslighting #StudentAdvocacy #AcademicSuccess #SocialJustice #EquityInEducation #DiversityAndInclusion #SelfAdvocacy

👏🏾Today, on Black Teacher Appreciation Day, we #ThankABlackTeacher by sharing our Remix EQ Live #Education Playlist. Press play to listen and learn from innovative education leaders about how they make the world a more just place. https://lnkd.in/esPFfeda As you watch or listen to each episode, 🛠️ Add examples, strategies, and tools to your repertoire. 🔗 Connect to and visualize the important work being performed. 💡 Learn from and with guests about the experiences of the people and places they serve. ✨ Be inspired to make the world a more just place. —- 🎙️ The Remix EQ Live Education Playlist ▶️ EDUCATION 👉🏾 Venola Mason & Michael O'Neal discuss how to build equitable relationships and learning communities with students, teachers, and families. ▶️ ANTI-RACIST LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION 👉🏾 Dr. Tracey Benson discusses how he supports educational leaders to enact anti-racist practices in schools. ▶️ BLACK MALE LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION 👉🏾 Ayodele Harrison & Dr. Christopher Small, PhD, discuss opportunities to invite and support Black men to cultivate their leadership in schools and beyond. ▶️ IN PURSUIT OF EQUITY IN EDUCATION FOR BLACK & BROWN CHILDREN 👉🏾 Josh Edelman discusses centering equity when investing in and partnering for more equitable educational outcomes. ▶️ PHILANTHROPY 👉🏾 Dr. Angela DeBarger discusses why investing in open education resources are key to empowering students and teachers within their learning communities. ▶️ LEARNING 👉🏾 Erika D. Tate, PhD discusses indicators and examples of instructional equity in classrooms and schools. ▶️ ACCESS TO INNOVATIVE DIGITAL LEARNING 👉🏾 Jean-Claude Brizard & Dr. Nichole Pinkard discuss how to increase access and sustain participation in STEM and digital learning among youth who’ve been historically and systematically excluded. ▶️ INTERSECTIONAL PERSPECTIVES IN COMPUTING 👉🏾 Yolanda Rankin, PhD & Jakita Owensby Thomas, Ph.D., discuss how they apply Black Feminist Epistemologies to learn about and support Black women in computing education and careers. ▶️ INVESTING IN EQUITABLE EDUCATION 👉🏾 Dr. Jillian Whatley discusses implicit bias and shares anti-bias strategies to improve educational outcomes for Black and Brown children. #SocialJusticeWarriors #teacherappreciationweek #EquityinEducation #SocialJustice