DR. CHRISTINA KISHIMOTO | AUGUST 2023

This August, as another school year gets started, I cannot help but think about the beautiful children and youth who will be filling our classrooms and school campuses. In the United States, today more than 50% of our students are students of color. This is both the now and the future for our entire population – a mosaic of the world in our public schools and in our workplaces.  This means that as we start the school year, we should see leadership in our schools, districts, and boards that reflect the increasing diversity in our youth.

That is why this month, I am so excited to have the opportunity to speak with Dr. Charlene Williams, the recently appointed Secretary of Education for the State of Oregon. A seasoned education professional, Dr. Williams is set to become the first Black woman in Oregon’s history to helm the state’s Department of Education, having previously served as deputy superintendent for Evergreen Public Schools. Williams is primed to advance equity and student success across the state. Although she faces significant challenges, including the fallout from pandemic-related changes in the education system, Williams is a leader who sees a bright future for Oregon schools, offering new hope for the state’s diversifying student population.

According to Krista Parent, Deputy Executive Director of the Coalition of School Administrators, only nine of the superintendents in 216 school districts and education service districts in Oregon are people of color, and only 49 are women, well below the national averages in both categories. Please listen to my conversation with Dr. Williams about this and much more.

I am also thrilled about the launch of our women-only network for education leaders in PK-12 school systems. The Flamboyan Network provides a supportive space for collaboration and learning that complements and amplifies the equity-focused work in which we are all engaged. This very month, on August 30th, we are featuring a discussion with Superintendent Leslie Torres-Rodriguez on Equity as a Civil Right: a discussion on the implications of the Sheff vs. O’Neill case, settled in 2022.

Membership in The Flamboyan Network is free and is available for women in PK-12 public education leadership roles. Stay tuned as we will be opening additional networks for women in other roles. If you are a Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Executive Director, Principal, or Assistant Principal, please join us under the shade tree in The Flamboyan Network. Click the button below to get started!

With gratitude,

Christina

Dr. Christina Kishimoto sits down with the newly appointed Secretary of Education for the State of Oregon, Dr. Charlene Williams. Throughout her career, Dr. Williams has emphasized the importance of partnership and collaboration, working alongside students and community members to address their needs. During our conversation, Charlene emphasizes her dedication to addressing equity through the four B’s, belonging, reducing barriers, believing, and broadcasting student voices.

Despite at times being worried about the divisive political times, Charlene believes that creating a vision for the future and having a strategy of hope will foster tangible outcomes and change.

Watch the conversation with Dr. Kishimoto and Dr. Charlene Williams on YouTube below.

Read the transcript of the interview with Dr. Christina Kishimoto and Dr. Charlene Williams here.

JULY 2022 | DR. CHRISTINA KISHIMOTO

What an incredible story of leadership success we have for you in our July Voice4Equity Superintendent feature! Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, is boldly leading in Hartford, Connecticut, a diverse capital city school district that has transformed itself into a choice district. This design transformation was predicated on a powerful parent movement negotiated through the landmark CT Supreme Court Sheff v. O’Neill case, and the resilient will of parents, district and school leaders, teachers, students, civic leaders and corporate partners who came together for this thirty year journey. Where will the district go from here? While great progress has been made – with increased graduation rates, better student outcomes, diversification of school design options, modernization of technology and school facilities, there is much more work to do.

This is a story that shows that transformation is possible and the status quo that stagnates public education in this nation does not have to have staying power. Under the leadership of Dr. Torres, a former HPS student herself, the work has and will faithfully continue in the difficult journey toward equity for all students regardless of immigration or migration status, social-economic status, race or gender. It took a community of parents to stand up to force this change, and now a former student and migrant* from Puerto Rico continues this vision of excellence as the School Superintendent. Dr. Leslie Rodriguez-Torres has a powerful personal story – don’t miss it!

Read the transcript of the conversation with Dr. Kishimoto and Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez here.

*The word migrant has become synonymous recently with temporary migrant farm workers from other countries, but the word migrant also refers to Puerto Ricans who moved from the island to the mainland U.S. to access better economic, housing, and education opportunities. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens whether they live in Puerto Rico or on the mainland U.S. The Puerto Rican diaspora can best be understood within the context and history of Puerto Rico’s colonization.

TIANA HILL | AUGUST 2023

Welcome to the Wellness Corner! Join me on the mat for this 5-minute yoga stretch. Perfect for when you are short on time or just need a little something to get you going.
Grab your mat, and I’ll meet you there!

Tiana