Dr. LaMarr Darnell Shields
The Special School
District engaged the Cambio Group for the 2017-2018 school year. Their team is instrumental in reinforcing the
need for educators and staff at SSD in Saint Louis to embrace change at the
kick-off of the school year. In spite of the break most of us enjoyed over the
Summer, there remains a lingering sense of tension in our town. We are all
familiar with protests and some senseless property damage that has occurred.
Black Lives Matter. Blue Lives Matter. Justice. There is a lot divisiveness
still just below the surface here and across America.
As the year is
unfolding, the Cambio team met with the paraprofessionals on a scheduled
professional development day on October 13 (Yup, Friday the 13th).
We assembled in the newly built forties hall of the Neuwoehner High
School. Dr.
LaMarr Darnell Shields sets a tone for the session and his colleagues assure a
seamless exchange of ideas. There are ice breakers and exercises to generate
dialogue. There are moments, pregnant pauses, reflections, bonding and just a
bit of wonder as to what might come of this two-hour scheduled meeting.
The Cambio Group works with
a specific focus on action and success and they promise to distill some of the
thinking that is generated this afternoon. This is not a gripe session or an
angry mob or a town hall meeting. It is an opportunity. It is important to
recognize some of the things that still divide us. A shared sense of mission
must bring us together. We have a strong sense of purpose but we can be better.
For this, we must strive. We appreciate the remarkable organization of which we
are a part but at the same time strive for ideals.
A quick turn-around
follow up to ALL via e-mail from the principal declares the following commitment
and action: 100%
of staff will increase awareness and understanding of cultural competence and
equity by receiving physical and intellectual resources, from the equity team
monthly, that impact students and/or staff as measured by a baseline
questionnaire given at the beginning of November and reassessed in May.
I am hopeful for Ubuntu – the intersection between trauma informed
practice, self-care, and leadership for equity. Thank You Dr. Shields and
Cambio (Especially Tia and Marina). I am inspired by one translation of Ubuntu that says simply: I am, because we are.
