Equity Unscripted

Listen in as we hear from our secondary principals - high school principal Eric Juli and middle school principal Michelle Hughes. They share with us how they prepared for the start of the school year, what is different this year, what is the same, what kind of culture they are hoping to create in their buildings and their focus on curriculum and instruction as we make our way through the 2022-23 school year.

Listen in as we hear from two principals new to their roles this year - Woodbury principal Eric Forman and Onaway principal Dora Bechtel. They share with us how they prepared for the start of the school year, what is different this year, what is the same, what kind of culture they are hoping to create in their buildings and their focus on curriculum and instruction as we make our way through the 2022-23 school year.

In this episode, you will hear from members of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, led by Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Dr. Larry Burnley, as they discuss the mission of their office, the goals of their work for this year and beyond and give an update on what they have been working on as they have kicked off this school year. 

In this episode, Shaker Heights senior Carrington Hughes joins us to discuss the goals, importance and work of the NAACP; the founding of the SHHS NAACP chapter; and what she envisions for the future of this organization even after she graduates from Shaker Heights High School.

This week, we are joined by Shaker Heights High School teacher Joey Fuentes, who talks with four sophomore students about their Hispanic heritage, what meaningful traditions they have in their families, how they would like to see Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated and hat these celebrations and recognitions can mean for educational equity.

This week Superintendent Dr. David Glasner and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Dr. Larry Burnley join us for an in-depth discussion of inclusive excellence - what it is, what it means and how it is impacting the work of the Shaker Heights Schools. You won't want to miss this great discussion!

Shaker Heights students Jaimee Martin and Carrington Hughes and parent Dr. Jenna Rehmer join us this week to discuss the importance of being an anti-racist and having tough conversations about race at the dinner table and beyond. Join us as we explore the challenges and growth that come from calling out racist behaviors, and the opportunities that await families who dare to tackle these sensitive topics. For more resources on talking with students of all ages, check out the DEI Resource Collection.

Shaker staff members Jill Lasheen and Brittany Webb sit down with DEI Coordinator Tiara Sargeant to discuss what it means to be part of a traditionally marginalized community at school, how we can create inclusive environments throughout our schools and how small acts of acknowledgement can have a big impact on all students in our classrooms. We also discuss how our entire community can be especially aware of others around times of holiday seasons.

In this episode, we are joined for two discussions. The first is with Reverand Chris Smith to discuss what it is like to be a parent navigating the world of school accessibility with and on behalf of their child. Then, we are joined by Shaker Heights Schools Chief Operating Officer Jeff Grosse and Van Aulken Akins architect Chris Dewey to discuss how Shaker Heights Schools currently serve our students and staff and how we can create a more accessible learning environment through the Forward Together initiative.

This week, Shaker Heights staff member Tracy Williams is joined by three MAC Scholars to discuss the importance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's legacy on them, their community and the Shaker Heights Schools. Learn more about the impact of the MAC Scholars program from primary school through high school in this poignant discussion. 

In this episode, DEI Coordinator Tiara Sargeant is joined by Shaker Heights alumni Stephanie Shealy and Ifeolu A.C. Claytor to discuss the legacy of Dr. King, what Beloved Community means to them and to Shaker Heights, how their experience at Shaker Heights Schools has impacted their lives since graduation and what they think about educational equity. This important discussion brings up challenging topics and thoughts for a more equitable community.  

This week, we are joined by Coach Danny Young, and high school athletes Erin Williams and Andrew Loney to discuss their thoughts on diversity, equity and inclusion, the impact of race and equity issues on the athletic experience, the importance of advocacy and their visions for an athletic experience that embodies a diverse and inclusive environment. 

Join us for this special presentation of Equity Unscripted, as we're joined by Kiki Stout, Laura Orazi and Miriama Whyte as they discuss the work of the Shaker Schools Foundation, the upcoming fundraiser, A Night for Red and White, and why this work is so important to the Shaker Heights School community.

In this episode we're joined by administrative intern Mario Clopton-Zymlery and students Devon Panigrahi and Spencer Payton to discuss the concerns LGBTQIA+ students face, how their ally peers can help, how race intersects and impacts concerns in additional ways and what all of this means to the diversity, equity and inclusion efforts of schools.

In honor of Women's History Month, this episode celebrates two of our female principals, Tiffany Joseph from Woodbury Elementary and Roneisha Campbell from Mercer Elementary, by discussing their journey to leadership, the impact they feel they can have on students through their roles, the challenges they face and how they overcome them and how being a Black administrator impacts their experiences.  

In this first episode of a three-episode series featuring the Innovative Center for Personalized Learning (or the IC), our special guests share what the IC is, what makes it different, what draws students and teachers to this educational model and how it serves the Shaker Heights Schools in a unique way.

In this second episode of a three-episode series featuring the Innovative Center for Personalized Learning (or the IC), our special guests share what the IC is, what makes it different, what draws students and teachers to this educational model and how it serves the Shaker Heights Schools in a unique way.

In this final episode of a three-episode series featuring the Innovative Center for Personalized Learning (or the IC), our special guests share what the IC is, what makes it different, what draws students and teachers to this educational model and how it serves the Shaker Heights Schools in a unique way.

In this episode, we are joined by Director of Curriculum & Instruction Dr. John Moore and Instructional Coach Miata Hunter to discuss deleveling - what it is, why we're doing it, how it's going, how it impacts educational equity and what they envision for the future of this unique approach to curriculum.

In this episode, we're joined by Liz Massey, Student Wellness and Success Supervisor, and Mary Bourisseau and Emily Geier, two members of our social emotional support team, who discuss what social emotional learning is, how it has evolved in schools in recent years, why it is so important in today's school environment and how families can help support their student's social emotional wellness at home through the summer and beyond.  

In this episode, Chief Academic Officer Dr. Marla Robinson interviews two students from Lomond Elementary School about their fourth grade IB Exhibition project. Aniyla and Milani share with us what they have been working on, the process they went through for their IB project and what they learned as they prepared for the Fourth Grade IB Exhibition for Shaker Heights staff and families.

In this second of our student-led summer series, graduating senior Erin Williams guides one of her peers, Jayden Sargeant, and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Dr. Larry Burnley through a civil discussion on the use of the N-word, a sensitive topic for both participants. Listen in for an example of how two people with opposing views can discuss, disagree and listen to one another.

Erin's senior project includes four episodes demonstrating civil discourse on a variety of topics. Tune in all summer to catch this great series!

In this third of our student-led summer series, graduating senior Erin Williams guides senior Wriley Slade and Assistant Principal Marinise Harris through a civil discussion two topics - what defines professionalism and how nececssary is a college education. Listen in for an example of how two people with opposing views can discuss, disagree and listen to one another. 

Erin's senior project includes four episodes demonstrating civil discourse on a variety of topics. Tune in all summer to catch this great series!

In this final episode of the senior project of Erin Williams, we navigate an emotional conversation about the response to social issues and current events. Erin joins in this final discussion with her twin sister India and their mother Jackie, as well as Tiara Sargeant. 

Congratulations to Erin and thank you for a great summer series!