Testimonials

Carla Young
Director of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Access
Cranbrook Schools

I have been a practitioner for over 30 years. I was a part of the original PoCC cohort. I recently ran into another person who attended that first gathering which named our work before there was a lane for it. After the long hug and the knowing greeting of “yes, we are still here” we were able to check-in on our common journey. What I got to say, with all the heartfelt enthusiasm I felt when I was a new teacher in a world that was figuring out what a school world could be if focused on the experience of all people as co-contributors and co-designers, is “The Equity Exchange is a game changer.” The deep collaborative authentic sharing of practice, heart, and brilliance is unparalleled. Thanks, Daniel, for always keeping our collective brilliance in front of each and every interaction. I have often been told by friends and peers that “equity roles are high burnout roles; who can bear this burden long?” My experience at The Equity Exchange was more than a booster shoot to stay in the work; it was a happifying fortification of what it takes to give yourself over to a purpose and a cause that is beyond the individual and touches the ‘Beloved Community’. It so clearly reminded me that the work is humbly transformative and something to live for. Thank you for this beautiful work!

Ben McClusky
Elementary Music Teacher
Mehlville (MO) School District

I have had an incredible experience with TEE, particularly the connections I have made with others who share a passion for meaningful work. We exchange ideas, support each other, and share laughter - all of which have been incredibly significant to me. Additionally, I have learned to appreciate the joy of engaging in equity work alongside others I genuinely enjoy spending time with. I have acquired new tools that I now use within my district and work and have gained a fresh perspective on my professional role as a leader in equity work. I have transitioned from striving to be a hero to being a host, creating connections with others to enhance my capacity for effective work and supporting the capacity building of others.

Laurren Chase
Director of Equity and Belonging
Eton School

Aside from the amazing amount of practical and contextual learning provided throughout the thoughtfully designed workshops during the week, the sheer power of convening with peers who do this work bravely, gracefully, and with humility daily felt like coming home. As a diversity practitioner in a trying and often siloed position, it’s easy to forget that you are not alone in the work. TEE provided a space for us all to just be together. To rest, to breathe, to connect with each other, and reconnect with the reasons why we choose to continue fighting these fights.

Joan Edwards
Director of Equity and Professional Collaboration
Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)

When I registered to attend the Equity Exchange, I noticed that there was a self-care strand. Seeing this on the schedule piqued my curiosity because after a grueling school year, I needed some definite personal nurturing.

During my time at TEE, I was so pleased to see that the "self-care" piece was an integral element of the time at the institute. We were presented with a myriad of self-care opportunities. It was woven into every day -- mindfulness exercises, yoga sessions at lunch, personal breaks for walks, an inventory of self-care activities etc. I was so influenced by the experience that I was able to integrate it into my personal and professional life. I shared it with colleagues in my state as part of a new found personal mission to inspire educators to nurture their minds and souls -- this makes us then ready to educate our students. 

If you are ready for an institute that benefits all aspects of your life as a change agent, the Equity Exchange is for you. 

Rosetta Lee
Faculty and Professional Outreach Specialist
Seattle Girls' School

What distinguishes The Equity Exchange from other Institutes is that it is a collaborative learning space shared by public and private school leaders. We learn AND practice strategies for self-care, we turn formative ideas into honed ones through brilliant thought partners from the cohort, and we incorporate a train-the-trainer element in which you get personal coaching from me and other facilitators to lead various activities and modes of discussion. The Equity Exchange is a wonderful “next step” for educators who want to move beyond the "what" and into the "how" of leading equity work in their schools.

Kelvin Adams, PhD
Former Superintendent
Saint Louis Public Schools

The Equity Exchange has been a real source of pride among the St. Louis Public School District’s various community partnerships. Uniquely, our focus has been on doing the work of professional capacity-building of school and District leaders to examine institutional, personal and professional cultures, mindsets, and practices through the lens of social equity. How do we harness the nascent assets of our resilient students to increase the rigor, relevance and magnetism of our academic and extracurricular programming? What levers in terms of institutional policies and practices must be elevated or eliminated to enhance student belonging and ownership of our school communities? And, importantly, as practitioners – both individually and collectively – in what ways must we grow in our understanding and behavior to better share power and embolden all students to lead and succeed both at school and at home, and in childhood and in adulthood? These are some of the key questions staff from Saint Louis Public Schools has been honored to partner with John Burroughs School and NAIS to problem-raise and solve around. Better still, these are some of the key questions that have shaped the sort of rich dialogue that continues to propel improvements in how we have operationalized our support for educators and students across our schools over the past five years…and counting.