SEPTEMBER 2022 | Dr. Christina Kishimoto
Dr. Elizabeth Alvarez, Superintendent of Forest Park District 91 in Illinois, believes that education equity begins with providing students of color access to learning opportunities in which they can see themselves. She believes that students of color need to learn about the wealth of contributions of people of color to both this nation’s history and our global society. “Liz” knows there is no equity in silence, invisibility, or erasure. Representation must be by design. Intentional. This requires commitment by education decision-makers beginning with the board and superintendent.
As Dr. Alvarez shares her story of leadership, listen to her description of the dichotomy between the joy of leadership and the challenges of leading an American institution that still has far to go in its equity design. Dr. Alvarez tells us unabashedly the difference it makes that she has a supportive board, a team of educators committed to students, and a ready community willing to do the hard work of reframing for equity and inclusion. Listen also for what she has to say about the relationship between equity, curriculum and belonging. Dr. Alvarez is our featured voice for equity, because first and foremost she believes every student should have pride and joy for who they are.
“I decided to make that step to superintendency mainly because I was scared. The fear said, if you’re fearful, you need to do it. And I was fearful because there were not many people of color in the superintendency.”
— Dr. Elizabeth Alvarez
Dr. Elizabeth Alvarez, Superintendent of Forest Park District 91 in Illinois, believes that education equity begins with providing students of color access to learning opportunities in which they can see themselves.
Read the transcript of the conversation with Dr. Elizabeth Alvarez and Dr. Christina Kishimoto here.
