The genesis of the work represented on this website began long before the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the unsettling nature of the last 15 months expedited the urgency around creating a space to share thinking, resources, and questions related to equity and responding to the challenges exacerbated in 2020-2021. With generous support from GW and collaboration with two GW students, this website creates such a space.
You can expect to find resources regarding equity in schools, COVID-19 education, and return to in-person learning support. We will feature the wonderful work being done by school leaders, teachers, and staff around the world in support of children. You will also find us taking on tough conversations and challenges that do not have easy answers. Ultimately, this site should be a hub for information for researchers, practitioners, and families. We also hope, over time, to create a site you will want to revisit to meet our guest bloggers and to see what resources we are featuring. Additionally, we hope you will send resources our way that you hope we will feature.
As we consider leading for equity through education, it is important that we continue to push our own growing edge, as well as to push and insist organizations where we work do the same. This is not a journey with a finish line, but rather one we must run continuously. As we consider what is needed in our own lives and work, it is important to consider that the work that we sometimes find hardest is that which is closest to home. It’s a reminder of the saying to look first in the mirror, before looking out the window at work that needs doing. I encourage you to explore the information about the Leadership for Equity Institute shared here and the wonderful people who collaborate toward these very ideals.
As we continue as a society to recover from the pandemic, and even harness lessons learned about what might have improved during this unprecedented time, we will have to be ever more alert to the needs of our communities. For instance, Darling-Hammond and Hyler (2020) noted, “While learning in the time of COVID has been challenging for students and prospective teachers alike, this moment of disruption has created the opportunity for rethinking and reinventing preparation, as well as schooling itself.” As we walk this path together, we welcome your insights and contributions.
-Dr. Jennifer Clayton