South Whittier School District employees attended a cultural proficiency training Monday, August 13, at Graves Middle School to help assure socially just educational practices throughout the district.
Superintendent, Dr. Gonzales, opened the training speaking to teachers about the celebrations from South Whittier’s previous year and the work to be done this next year. He shared that six out of the seven schools in the district improved in English Language Arts and in Math scores, with some schools making immense strides in score improvements.
After last years success and looking ahead, he spoke about how 48% of South Whittier School District students are English Language leaners. He then shared the fundamental purpose of why SWSD exists, “To deliver appropriate and effective instruction that leads to increased student learning for all.” With this knowledge, cultural proficiency is vital in assuring the district’s motto, “Success for Every Student.”
The key note speakers for the cultural proficiency training were Randall and Delores Lindsey. Randall is a Emeritus Professor at California State University, Los Angeles. He has a practice centered on educational consulting and issues related to diversity. He has served as a teacher and as an administrator in charge of school desegregation efforts. Randy also serves as a consultant and facilitator on issues related to diversity and equity, as well as on topics of leadership, problem solving, long range planning, and conflict resolution.
Delores Lindsey, Ph.D., retired as Associate Professor of Education at California
State University, San Marcos, CA, but did not retire from the education profession. She was a former middle grades and high school teacher, assistant principal, principal, and county office of education administrator. Her primary focus is developing culturally proficient leadership practices.
The Lindseys’ began the training by asking teachers to discuss with one another three questions; When you say all, who do you mean? Who are we? Are we who we say we are? Delores focused her training on socially just educational practices, culturally proficient leadership practices, and spoke on diversity as an asset to be nurtured. The Lindseys’ also gave teachers four tools of cultural proficiency and helped facilitate educators to develop their own inquiry and action research. Their goal for the training was to help guide school leaders on their journey toward equity and socially just practices.
SWSD’s Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year also spoke to teachers. Classified Employee of the Year, Mrs. Josie Tafoya, spoke on how every person in the district is an important piece of the puzzle that educates students and shared, “The best thing about what I do is that it matters, and the hardest thing that I do is that it matters.”
Teacher of the Year, Guy Sardo, spoke about the importance and benefits of collaboration. He encouraged his peers to collaborate with one another and expressed gratitude for the teachers who have shared with him and who have helped him become the teacher he is today. He then reflected on past students and their success and encouraged teachers saying, “If you did one thing to help those kids get to where they are, you helped them get there.”