1. North Shore Consortium January 22, 2011

2. As we share our different human experiences, we rediscover a sense of unity. We remember we are part of a greater whole. And as an added joy, we also discover our collective wisdom. We suddenly see how wise we can be together. Wheatley 2002

3. The Pre-work Engagement and achievement data PACE 3 discussion with Admin at ms and hs. Courageous Conversation about Race book studies. Consortium…and the journey begins

4. To what degree do you and your system have the will, skill, knowledge, and capacity to understand and address issues of race as they relate to existing racial disparities? Singleton 2006

5. WFB TEAM Superintendent, School board members (2), building level administrators (4), two teachers from each level (6), two parents from each building (7). Director of Instruction (1) for some sessions. 20/21 Resident parents (4) Non-resident parents (3). Male (3), Female (15). White (12), African-American (4), Latino (1), Arab- American. Age range 29-59.

6. What precipitated stakeholders engagement in the development of cultural competency? OR Why did they volunteer to be a part of this initiative?

7. Childhood influence 12/17 Family values Neighborhood experiences School experiences Witnessing injustice Being treated unjustly Adult influences 16/17 Hearing stories from their children about school injustices Took district courageous conversation book study Graduate level course work on issues of social justice Witnessed injustice Being treated unjustly Moral Imperative 13/17 The right thing to do Improve the quality of education for all students Wanted to work to bring about change

8. Participants perceived location on cultural competency continuum 1 st interview in October 2009

9. Participants perceived location on cultural competency continuum 2 nd interview in April 2010

10. Participants Reported A Shift in Perception Reflective Inquiry (16/17) Suspend Judgment (9/17) Hear the “Other” (15/17) See with New Eyes (13/17) Collective WE (12/17)

11. Participants Describe Their Process of Transformation Reflective Inquiry (43) Suspend Judgment (12) Hear the “Other” (23) See with New Eyes (30) Collective WE (31)

12. This training has caused me to go back and think about what shaped who I am. …if you really are sincere about embracing this concept, you’re going to continue to self-reflect and self-assess because the awareness that it creates in you. I am definitely more aware of how I interact with people and how I deal with issues that could have some racist or bias undertones.

13. I am going to say this and it is very hard, I think I saw my black students as the “other” and I didn’t see them like a white student that is somebody’s kid. I did not want to step on any toes and I did not want to call that parent because their kid was bad. I did not want that confrontation. I think what this has done for me is I am starting to see those parents as parents just like me and I am putting them in the same group as my white parents. I really think I was afraid of them.

14. It is my job to make sure I’m addressing kids in a manner they need. Not with the way I am comfortable. Those are my values and I cannot place my values on these kids or parents

15. It’s making me look at my own racist scripts and in wanting to confront those, realizing that there are places in me that I need to grow, attitudes and assumption that I have that I do not want to move forward with.

16. Theory U+ Reflective Inquiry= Transformation

17. Participants perceived location on U scale before training

18. Participants stated location on U scale after training

19. I am definitely thinking differently. I really take to heart the whole idea of the experience now of a minority kids in this district a little bit more than I did before. Often times before I thought what a great opportunity it was for them yet I never really thought about with that opportunity comes some really difficult choices, difficult situations.

20. Speaking with another parent I realized that it’s not just the black kids having issues, it is some white kids too. I had heard it from the black perspective but I had never heard the same thing from a white person’s perspective. I was kind of in disbelief.

21. When we were asking some of those tough questions like, “Do you think we have the will, do you think we have the power?” Honestly, I was thinking “no”…but you are seeing more “yes” now because of the team experiences, discussions and dialog. I mean LaNell saying, “it’s either we are dumb or this is going to work” and I am willing to go with that we are not dumb.

22. I’m much more confident in the dialog, pushing back on ideas that I don’t necessarily agree with.

23. I talk a little with my neighbors about their kids and school. I am not an academic professor but I talk to the little boys on my block and I ask them do you realize if you can't read what your options are as an adult? I try and bring it not just my kids but I do try and reach out to the community and beyond.

24. I am moving off seeing things strictly based on color. When you grow up in a city that is very segregated, you see things more as black and white. I’m beginning to really learn to look at people and just appreciate them for whatever they bring. I am definitely more critically thinking.

25. Factors that led to success Participants intrinsic motivation to engage. Multi-racial, cross-cultural participants Number of participants from multiple stakeholder groups! Multi-Generational representation Courageous Conversations Book Study

26. Factors that led to Success Intentional leadership commitment and participation Key leaders in the district and community present and actively engaged in process. 1-2 key participants to clear the weeds Skilled and diverse facilitators leading the process Team norms created a trusting environment Opportunities and time to practice reflective inquiry

27. WFB added 30 min debriefing after each session. Journal prompts to promote self-reflection As a result of today’s session how do you see yourself differently or how are you thinking differently? What expectations do you have for yourself and our TEAM? One on one interviews and focus groups to promote further self-reflection.

28. Individuals gained a new lens on how to look at one another which fostered a commitment to work together in finding the best path for success not just for their students but also for all students in the school community

29. When we build the bridge by engaging in courageous conversations about race and equity in our school communities.