“I know that when my students feel safe and they know that teachers affirm their various identities, they perform better in school”
DPS Teacher Cheyenne Solorio
Strive for Six
Research shows that students with at least 6 supportive teachers are more likely to feel safe in school. These students are more likely to graduate, enroll in college, and report higher GPAs. It has become increasingly clear that leadership from teachers in creating safer spaces and holding districts accountable for inclusive policy is incumbent. On this front little progress has been made. In Durham, Bull City Schools United is doing this by launching an innovative teacher-leadership program focused on equity in Durham Public Schools. The program is a partnership between staff members, community leaders, and the LGBTQ Center of Durham. |
What Have Done This Year
1) Trained over 1000 Durham educators, administrators, and staff in equity as it relates to LGBTQ Students 2) Created a Youth leadership Council made of youth from all over Durham. It is now in its second year. 3) Trained all of our district assistant principals in social justice and intersectional thinking, working with them to connect the dots between the identities of their LGBT students of color and the discipline disparities that are present in our schools. 4) Made Durham Public Schools the first district in the South to support and implement the #Day1 pledge. |