Real Leaders, Real Stories: Prioritizing Equity in Schools

From the classroom to the superintendent’s office, equity-focused leaders communicate how—and why—instructional excellence can be achieved in schools. As leaders, they hold themselves, their school, and district communities accountable to the expectation that all children are capable of extraordinary things—and that every educator and leader can develop the skills and strategies that enable students to excel. 

Research confirms that all students, both students of color and their white peers, benefit from seeing diverse educators and school leaders working together to build learning environments rooted in respect, inclusivity, and trust. Central among equity-focused leadership actions are:

• Promoting a mindset in all members of their team that all children can learn at exceedingly high levels;
• Creating an inclusive environment that allows all faculty, staff, parents, and students to feel safe, valued, cared for, and seen; 
• Providing all students access to effective, high-quality curricula that are both academically rigorous and culturally responsive/relevant; 
• Creating systems and structures that equitably distribute resources; and
• Considering the impact of their decision-making and policies on historically marginalized groups.

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re sharing stories of K12 leaders who exemplify this kind of leadership and also create the conditions that inspire high-quality teachers and leaders to stay in their school and district communities. From Oakland Unified School District to the U.S. Department of Education, our alumni stories inspire. 

How to stay rooted in your why—and help others do the same

“It’s not easy to be a school leader right now,” reflects Maria Esponda-Medina, a former middle school principal, district and state administrator, and now Senior Executive Director, Program Implementation at New Leaders. Her antidote: Go back to your why. When barriers seem overwhelming, she coaches K12 leaders to use challenges as an opportunity to get everyone back to their core and what is most important. Discover how to re-energize your leadership.

How to build momentum for change in your district 

“One of the biggest challenges right now is maintaining momentum. We know a single principal can’t do that all alone. It has to be a collective effort,” reflects Alfredo Nambo, New Leaders alum and Interim Chief Education Officer at Acero Schools in Chicago. Discover his top five leadership actions that guide how he supports and develops all of Acero’s elementary and high school principals.

How to offer hope to our nation’s youth 

“We need more leaders who are able and willing to offer hope and belief to our young people, and not just in rhetorical ways, but through relationships, experiences, and environments,” observes New Leaders alum Joaquin Tamayo. Tamayo serves as a Senior Advisor in the Office of the Deputy Secretary in the U.S. Department of Education. Learn more about his leadership journey from principal to national advisor.

How to value your teachers and retain top talent

“You deserve a coach,” New Leaders alum and principal Cristina Segura explains to her new teachers. “I like to let people know up front that I believe in coaching, that they are going to see me in classrooms, that I don’t want them to feel like they can’t ask for help. We’re all learners here.” Learn more about how Segura is valuing—and retaining—her teachers. 

Every K12 leader can advance equity and excellence all year long. Here are self-reflection questions to strengthen your equity-focused leadership practices: 

• How do my personal experiences shape how I approach equity in my school or school district?
• Am I using language that prioritizes equity?
• Does my school or district have a common definition of equity?
• Am I building capacity for others within the school or district to become equity-focused?
• Have I created the necessary systems and processes to support my team as we build a more equitable school?