Learning Forward
Equity and excellence in teaching and learning.
Living equity in your work
Presenters: Yenetta Harper, John Merrill and Harriet D. Moore
Defining equity, teaching and leading with equity, making equity central to education – all of these are needs that educators at every level of education systems are working to do. Equity is at the center of Learning Forward’s Standards for Professional Learning and in our organization’s work to ensure access to high-quality professional learning. How can education systems highlight equity in both conversation and policy and then, importantly, put those principles into action? What does it mean to be a principal, instructional coach, or district leader who is centering equity in actionable ways? What tools and examples exist that can help leaders at the school, district/province and state levels have conversations about equity and then act on those conversations to lead change that promotes equitable learning environments?
Participants of this webinar will:
- Identify strategies to highlight equity in both conversations and policy;
- Consider ideas to move equity policy into action; and
- Explore how language can both accelerate and derail equity aspirations in systems and schools.
Presenters
Yenetta Harper's career in education began as an English teacher for the Hamilton City School District. After six years of teaching, she left Hamilton City schools and began her career in administration with the Cincinnati Public School district. She began her administrative career as an assistant principal at the School of Performing Arts, she then became the first assistant principal at Clark Montessori. After three years as an assistant principal, Harper was chosen by the Local School Decision Making Committee to be the principal of Shroder Paideia High School, where she served for eight years. Harper was asked to join the Superintends Senior Leadership team for Cincinnati Public Schools as director of the Office of Innovation and later as the director of teacher and principal evaluation and development. After an 18-year career with Cincinnati Public Schools in 2019, Harper was named the director of the Office of Educator Effectiveness for the Ohio Department of Education. Her current role allows her to work in her passion supporting the students and Educators of Ohio.
John Merrill is in his fifth year as principal of Montgomery Elementary School in San Antonio’s North East ISD. During his tenure, Montgomery has seen dramatic increases in its state school rating while fostering an environment that empowers all students to grow and succeed academically, socially, and emotionally through strategies that support teacher understanding of student backgrounds and effective school-community partnerships. A native of California, Merrill served as a fourth-grade teacher and assistant principal in the district before being named principal of Montgomery in 2017.
Harriet Moore has served as Sarasota School District's first director of innovation and equity since February 2021. In this role, she facilitates the implementation of cultural responsibility and training throughout the district; chairs the District Equity Committee; and guides innovative approaches to different instructional delivery models—including virtual, face-to-face, and blended learning—for students. Recognized for her ability to coach, train, and mobilize educators and community members, she previously served as principal of Sarasota Schools’ McIntosh Middle School. She has also served as director of Phoenix Academy, a school for students with learning differences; and as an assistant principal.
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