We talk with Carla about how her district has put a focus on belonging, the importance if having these tough conversations, and some of the strategies and resources that have helped the staff in the Columbia district.

Carla London is originally from Columbia, MO, but moved often as a child and got to experience the excitement of such diverse places as New Orleans, LA; Dallas and El Paso, TX; and Stamford, CT. After beginning her career in education in north Georgia, she returned to Columbia where she was privileged to create the Aspiring Scholars program for At-Promise youth. In 2006, she followed her husband's career back to Texas and spent 7 years in Round Rock, just outside of Austin, as both a classroom teacher and in educational leadership for a student body that included 1500 middle school students. In 2013, Carla returned to Columbia as the Supervisor of Student and Family Advocacy, for Columbia Public Schools. She was subsequently promoted to Director of Student Services, and is currently the Chief Equity Officer for CPS, where she wears many hats including supervising several district programs. Carla has a combined 16 years of experience in education, nine years as a Social Worker, including four years as an Emergency Room Medical S.W. at Children's Medical Center of Dallas, in Dallas, TX, and three years as a small business owner, Dallas, TX. Her passion is working with children, families, and staff to provide a safe, nurturing, and stimulating educational experience! She continues to advocate for ways to assist youth in acquiring the skills they need to be successful and reducing discipline disproportionality among minority youth.