School leaders encounter issues of race and culture at training with Schools That Can Milwaukee July 24-25

MILWAUKEE – Amid continued national tensions over issues of race and culture, a group of more than 100 school leaders from across Milwaukee will address these challenging topics head-on to better serve their students during the coming school year.

Educators will train and collaborate together in sessions to be held from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Monday, July 24 and Tuesday, July 25, at Alverno College’s Sister Joel Read Center, 3400 S. 43rd St.

The two-day professional development event, put on by local nonprofit Schools That Can Milwaukee (STCM), is bringing together principals, deans of students, instructional leaders, and others from nearly 50 Milwaukee Public Schools, private Choice schools, independent charter schools and local education nonprofits to share best practices and learn from one another.

Monday will focus on Culturally Relevant Practices, a set of education techniques designed to empower educators to work effectively with students of different races, ethnic backgrounds, and cultural experiences.

STCM Executive Director Abby Andrietsch said the topic is critically important, and continues to be a primary focus of the organization.

“Our mission is to ensure every single child in Milwaukee – no matter their race, ZIP code or family income level – has access to a great education,” Andrietsch said. “This is only possible if we equip Milwaukee’s educators to teach and lead in ways that are relevant and responsive to the cultures and experiences of their students.”

Sessions will be led by Verta Maloney, a New York City-based facilitator; Milwaukee’s LiberatEd Consulting; and Ciji Pittman, national director of strategic growth and national principal director for Open Sky Education.

Tuesday’s topic is Developing People, featuring sessions led by Lori Riddick, executive director of leadership development for Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and Deanna Singh, chief change agent of Milwaukee-based Flying Elephant.

STCM Chief Program Officer Rashida Evans said this portion of the two-day training will focus on merging cultural awareness with practical strategies for developing people, like coaching, feedback and performance management.

“This is about making the day-to-day work of managing teams and operating schools stronger and more effective by approaching it in a way that acknowledges and values the identities and differences of the teachers and other adults in our buildings,” Evans said.

Educators attending the trainings will be supported directly by STCM throughout the upcoming school year with customized training, collaborative professional development, and on-the-job coaching. During the 2017-18 school year, STCM will impact about 17,000 students through support of over 200 school and teacher leaders.

The organization works to engage, empower and connect transformational school leaders to foster more high-quality schools in Milwaukee. Great leaders are the heart of high-quality schools, so STCM supports school leaders to close the achievement gap and increase opportunity for the kids and families who need it most.

STCM, an independent nonprofit, focuses its direct support on schools that primarily serve students of color from low-income households. Participating schools receive most of STCM’s services free of charge, thanks to funding from a range of individuals, corporations and foundations. The two-day training is made possible through generous sponsorship from Associated Bank, BMO Harris Bank, Dana Investment Advisors and VJS Construction Services.

The following will be available for media interviews:

• Teachers and leaders from schools around the city
• National-level expert trainers including Verta Maloney, LiberatEd, Ciji Pittman, and Lori Riddick
• Guest speaker Deanna Singh (availability limited)
• School Leadership Coaches from Schools That Can Milwaukee
• Schools That Can Milwaukee Executive Director Abby Andrietsch
• Schools That Can Milwaukee Chief Program Officer Rashida Evans

For more information, visit http://stcmilwaukee.org or contact Isral DeBruin by phone at (414) 459 – 1894 or by email at isral.debruin@stcmilwaukee.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.