TVUSD Promotes Cultural Proficiency Among District Leaders

TEMECULA, Calif., Dec. 14, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A team of Temecula Unified School District (TVUSD) district administrators, including principals, assistant principals, directors, assistant directors, and coordinators, recently met to work with Dr. Erick Witherspoon, National Director of Equity for New York City-based Generation Ready. This organization's mission is to provide school leaders and teachers with strategies and insights on how to educate a stronger, more vibrant generation of students. During his presentation, Dr. Witherspoon emphasized the importance of fostering a positive and inclusive school environment that enables students to reach their maximum potential. Such a rich learning environment depends on culturally proficient interactions among students, educators, and communities, he explained.

Dr. Witherspoon's visit to TVUSD is part of ongoing professional development efforts by Deputy Superintendent Jodi McClay and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Raymond Johnson to promote cultural proficiency among district leaders. "It is critical that we, as leaders, make sure that we understand how to implement educational practices that will benefit children with different cultural backgrounds."

McClay and Johnson organized a Cultural Proficiency Leadership Team in the 2017-18 school year to meet regularly on issues of cultural awareness and understanding. Each member of the team is encouraged to attend conferences, read the research, and engage in designing a plan that will soon impact all district staff. At their most recent meeting, the team completed partner and group activities that looked at both productive and unproductive behaviors, barriers to cultural proficiency, and misinformed perceptions about people from diverse backgrounds.

"I believe we have done a phenomenal job of increasing both the knowledge and skills of our team leaders," said McClay. "Our next step is to grow this important work to every site and classroom within the district. We must hone our abilities to build trust and respect among everyone in our school community."

SOURCE TVUSD