Thread by @thoughtxchng

We're LIVE with Dr. Devon Horton, @EquitySupt1 & @KafrissenKai to learn about how to establish working definitions on the equity journey. Follow along in this thread ⤵️ and by using #TeVirtualEvents and #TeVE.

We are thrilled to see over 100 people making this virtual event a priority! Think of this #TeVE as a prerequisite to your #equity conversations. We will look at how to establish definitions, gain consensus to avoid triggering participants, & lead productive conversations. #DEI

@KafrissenKai - We are stronger together! What is Kai seeing with our customers around #DEI? Leaders are making this an ongoing conversation! Shared definitions are helping to avoid different meanings for different people to facilitate our learning. #BringPeopleTogether

We are so happy and grateful to have @EquitySupt1 on #TheTeTEAM. He talks about his journey to becoming part of our team. Dennis is helping to scale #equity conversations around the world (literally!). #BringPeopleTogether

@EquitySupt1 - Make sure that we have a common understanding around common terms - if not understood they can be triggers! When making sure that you’re on the “same page” as someone make sure that you’re in the "same book"! (and make sure that all parties know how to read!)

@EquitySupt1 Starts with planning, proposing & announcing, team building, solution finding, & reflection. What does ANTI-RACISM mean to you? Is there agreement and dissent around this language? Propose & announce - Ask "what are your thoughts & questions about these terms?"

@EquitySupt1 - Team building: This can be uncomfortable for some while others are excited that you’ve gotten started. CHECK IN - “What is on your hearts & minds?”

Solution finding - Never show up as the expert. Even if you do ALL the learning you still have to take the time to bring your team along. If you don’t do the prerequisites, you’ll find yourself with people who are not “on the same page” or even in the same book!

Dr. Hortons speaks highly about the anti-racism centered work @District65 is doing. There is a lot of training for the staff. Anti-racism training for all new incoming staff. This gives you an understanding on how to navigate #equity conversations as they appear. #DEI #TeVE

Dr Horton - Equity and anti-racism analysis for all programs! Tokenism? Ask yourself - Is that why you have someone at the table? Or do you truly want their perspective? Changes in hiring practices - the faces of the people put in front of your students each day needs to change.

Dr. Horton - Achievement Gap, lack of opportunity. Exposure to rigorous forces, teachers who look like students has a HUGE impact! Students who can relate to their teachers (teachers look like them) have a higher trajectory to graduate from high school. #Equity

^^ @EquitySupt1 says: "Nearly 40% more likely to graduate (black males with a teacher of color in grades K-3)". That's huge!

Working to fix the system, not working to fix the children.

Put your resources toward what you VALUE. Do not leave it open to interpretation. Systemic practices live within your structure. #BringPeopleTogether

@EquitySupt1 asks Dr. Horton - How did you meet the resistance to your re-opening plan?

First month on the job - (return to school plan) they knew that they couldn’t bring ALL the kids back - so they prioritized the students most at risk. #Equity not #Equality

Community members as co-conspirators 💜 AND #equality becomes a barrier. Dr. Horton - Threatening emails & post cards with death threats for board members and cabinet members. Fear is a tactic that has been used for centuries. Do not back down. Stay the course. #Equity

We are fired up now! It's time to launch a #Thoughtexchange to channel those thoughts & drive the agenda for the second half of our time together. #Crowdsourcing at it's best (in real time!). What thoughts & questions should we dig deeper into?

Our group has prioritized the thoughts together (#crowdsourcing). Here is our Top Thought. Dr. Horton says "It starts with how you enter this work." He explains this in depth and @EquitySupt1 provides some input as well. Stay tuned for the replay to catch their perspectives.

Dr. Horton - Assess where your community/board members - where do they fall on the spectrum of cultural proficiency? Meet them where they are at. Look to your local university for training. Community wide book studies have community forums where people can engage in discussions.

Dr. Horton - The data doesn't lie - Dig into the data! Form #Equity committees & have them present at board meetings (regularly). It's like marketing the importance of this work. It's not easy. Do not back down, push forth. Create a conversation - #LOUDtocrowd

We will be taking a break over the Holidays AND this #TeVE series around #DEI will continue in the New Year! Jan 13th, 20th and 27th - A 3 part series around "Leading DE&I efforts while white". Come & give us your insight and be a part of these conversations!

Thank you to everyone who joined us today & contributed to #crowdsourcing in-depth questions for our inspiring panelists, Dr. Devon Horton & @EquitySupt1. Stay tuned for the replay ⏯️ We look forward to more of these conversations in 2021! #TeVirtualEvents #BringPeopleTogether

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