Five MCPASD leaders presented at a recent virtual Summit on Civil Rights in Education designed to address disparities in student experiences and academic achievement in schools.
Over 1,000 educators from across the country participated in the summit. The following leaders presented on behalf of the Learner First Center for Civil Rights in Education.
- Maria Dyslin, Principal Sunset Ridge
- Shifting Mindsets: Cultivating Brave Spaces
- Mandi Sersch-Morstad, Director of Bilingual Services
- Linguistic Justice: Honoring and Affirming Multilingualism in Schools
- Jamie Sims, Athletics Director at Middleton High School
- Race, Equity, & Education-Based Athletics: Understanding how an increased awareness of Race and Equity plays out in athletics and supports improved academic outcomes for black students.
- Dom Ricks, Principal at Kromrey Middle School
- Equity in Planning=Equity in Action: Student-Centered Collaboration
- Restore, Rebuild, Repeat: Restorative Practices and Collective Accountability
- Equity, Identity and Human Rights in Practice: Am I too political, or are we too politicized?
- Percy Brown Jr, Director of Equity and Student Achievement
- Keynote Speaker
- Empowering Student Voices
As mentioned, Athletic Director Jamie Sims spoke on “Race, Equity, & Education-Based Athletics.”
“The session was geared towards creating a broader understanding of how race can play out in athletics and how our self-awareness can assist us all with our relationship development and capacity as it relates to working with all types of student-athletes,” said Sims. “We engaged in discussion around topics including; implicit bias, self-awareness, educational upbringing, workplace awareness, and how to better support students and student-athletes of color and their counterparts as an adult.”
For the last two years, Sims has introduced a professional learning plan geared towards incorporating anti-racist teachings, strategies, and professional development to understand the importance of enhancing our athletic programming to be more diverse.
MCPASD is proud to have leaders who advocate for our minority students within our district and classrooms and during their free time.
“I truly felt blessed and humbled to have the opportunity to work with and present alongside other great leaders from our district,” said Sims.
For more information on the Summit on Civil Rights in Education, Click here