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| Irby |
Decoteau J. Irby and Ann M. Ishimaru are the editors of the new book Doing the Work of Equity Leadership for Justice and Systems Change. Irby is a professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, and Ishimaru is a professor at the University of Washington.
Q: What inspired you to create Doing the Work of Equity Leadership for Justice and Systems Change?
A: We were inspired to write this book because education leaders who stand up for vulnerable students and their families are frequently and unjustly attacked, ridiculed, and disrespected for the stances they take.
But these educators bring crucial insights and powerful practices for transforming systems to realize their commitments to the educational success of all students.
This book is our effort to humanize these leaders and in doing so, shed light on the strategic and complex work of realizing educationally just systems across an era of dramatic change.
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| Ishimaru |
Q: How did you come up with the topics to include in the book?
A: Education leaders who are most committed to making schools better for marginalized students go largely unseen and unheard, their efforts and positive impacts drowned out by the attacks on all things equity and justice—from book bans, school board takeovers, dismissive and uninformed media takes, and relentless social media smear campaigns about the merits (or lack thereof) of school-based equity policies and reforms.
Yet, the insights, experiences, and strategies of those leading for equity offer all of us crucial learning if we are serious about the dignity and wellbeing of all young people.
Our book offers an in-depth understanding of the educators who lead district-wide equity efforts across shifting sociopolitical contexts of morning, midday, and evening equity work.
The chapters offer different perspectives on what they do on a day-to-day basis, their strategies across time, the challenges they experience, and what they believe is required to help public school districts better serve the US’s increasingly diverse student body for years to come.
Q: What do you think has changed when it comes to equity in public education over the past decade?
A: US public schools have increased in diversity across almost every student identifier: race, ethnic, language, religion, gender identity, and more.
As a consequence of this increased diversity, there is an increased awareness and consciousness that "one size does not fit all." There is a growing commitment to meeting the distinct educational needs of racial, gender, and ethnic groups.
The curriculum has broadened to reflect more of the people and communities in the country. There has been some progress made in terms of the teachers and educators of color.
There are policies of inclusion and equity on the books that were not there before; a focus on student voice; routine expectation that we’ll be examining data about disparities, and partnerships with families, communities, affinity groups…. And people expect those from public schools now. All of these things are under threat at the moment.
Q: What do you hope readers take away from the book, especially
during the current political climate?
A: We want readers to gain an in-depth understanding of what education leaders on the frontlines of the fight for equitable education actually do, the challenges that come with advocating for and leading on behalf of society’s most marginalized students, and how they sustain their wellness in the midst of such politically fraught and emotionally taxing work.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: With many of our co-authors, we’re busy doing the work of promoting the book with interviews and in-person events.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: We’re currently on tour so look out for a location near you. You can find our schedule by visiting our websites: annishimaru.com and decoteauirby.com. We would love to see you in person or connect with you online.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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