Equity Unscripted

"What is chronic absenteesim and what is Shaker Heights doing about it?" -- In this episode, Director of School Leadership Felecia Evans, Director of Student Data Systems and Accountability Dr. Christina Bauer and Family and Community Engagement Supervisor Keith Langford discuss the importance of school attendance, the trends in attendance both statewide and locally, and the commitment Shaker Heights Schools has made to improving school attendance. Don't miss this important discussion, the last of our special four-part series focused on important topics impacting educational equity!

"What does the future of PreK look like in Shaker Heights?" -- Preschool Coordinator Dejunee Lawson and preschool teacher Allison Colvin join us to discuss what PreK currently looks like at Shaker Heights, what the future of PreK will look like through the planned expansion and why this program is so vital to educational equity. This is the third of a four-part series of Educational Equity.

"What student programs are available from the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion?"

Today, Program Director, Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Will Warren and Executive Director of the Shaker Schools Foundation Holly Coughlin join us to discuss the student programming available through the ODEI, the impacts these programs have on educational equity and how the Shaker Schools Foundation works to support these efforts. This is the second of a special four-part series of Equity Unscripted - be sure to check it out!

On this episode, we are joined by Student Wellness and Success Supervisor Liz Massey and Administrative Intern Molly Kane to discuss Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, or PBIS. They take us through what it is, how it looks in the Shaker Heights Schools, what the long-term goals are for this system and how it impacts educational equity in our schools.

As we head into a holiday week, Equity Unscripted is proud to share this great discussion from last season, featuring students Jaimee Martin and Carrington Hughes and parent Dr. Jenna Rehmer, as they discussed 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.

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.

"What is the NAACP?" -- 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.