Education Equity Ambassador Program

EEA Chantae’ Vinson completed her training last fall, and is now the PTA President of Warner Elementary in the Red Clay Consolidated School District. Chantae’ is a single mom of two children, both of whom attend Wilmington Learning Collaborative (WLC) schools.

Recently Education Equity has become a hot topic in Delaware schools, but it’s important to keep in mind that equity can look differently given student, family, and community needs. 

That’s why family involvement is an essential part of the framework for achieving  education equity. However, all too often parents face barriers like a lack of accessible information or tools that prevent them from being able to advocate for their childrens’ needs and navigate the school system confidently. This allows inequitable systems and processes to continue generation after generation without being challenged.

Education Equity Ambassador coordinator, Kim Whittle, sat down with Chantae’ to get more insight into how she uses the EEA program to advocate for her children.

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The Circle Keepers are a New York-based, youth-led organization dedicated to dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline through student leadership and restorative practices.

The Circle Keepers are dedicated to facilitating what they refer to as “Fairnesses”, a guided round-table conversation designed to empower students to address and resolve conflicts between themselves and educators. The goal is to repair broken relationships. 

Education Equity Ambassador coordinator, Kim Whittle (KW), sat down with The Circle Keepers to get more insight into their work, the fairnesses approach, and what Delaware might be able to learn from it.

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As Delaware schools continue to shift toward prioritizing restorative practices in the classroom, it is crucial to build a strong framework for ensuring the sustainability of a restorative culture.

A major component of this framework is identifying and fostering positive student leadership. 

Encouraging students to embrace leadership roles within classroom walls fosters a sense of responsibility, boosts confidence, enhances communication skills, and prepares kids for future roles outside of their larger communities. When students are given opportunities for active participation and leadership, learning environments become collaborative spaces that in turn support the continued use of restorative practices.  

EEA Coordinator, Kim Whittle, on the intersection of restorative practices and student leadership.

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Student success should come from celebrating achievement, not punishing children’s behavior. 

As our state battles inequity in education, violations of students’ rights, challenges to funding public schools, and systemic racism, the significance and profound impact of restorative practices cannot be understated. Prioritizing and effectively implementing restorative practices is a crucial step toward ensuring schools are truly places where students and staff feel included, respected, and supported. 

Our restorative journey in Delaware is far from over. Now’s the time to commit to creating a more just, inclusive, and equitable educational experience for generations to come. 

Dr. Malik Muhammad, Ed.D. on why our restorative journey in Delaware is far from over.

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For students, an environment that truly fosters learning and development is about far more than the classroom they’re in or the curriculum they’re taught. It’s about more than students themselves — it’s about families.  

Trusting families produce trusting students. That’s why school leaders must be aware of the role they play in creating spaces that promote inclusivity and engagement of students as well as their larger networks of loved ones as well. 

Our latest from Equetta Jones, Principal at Love Creek Elementary School.

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Giving parents access to opportunities like the Education Equity Ambassador program is not only essential for student success but also for the success of our communities.

When parents join forces and feel welcomed and valued by the education community, it builds trust and mutual respect that extend beyond classroom walls. Giving parents access to opportunities like the Education Equity Ambassador program is not only essential for student success but also for the success of our community, state, and country.

Read more about Kenisha Delgado's experience as a member of the first cohort of EEAs

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A child’s village is a reflection of our larger society's values and priorities. Are we teaching our children patience or punishment, compassion or criminalization, belonging or bias? We get to decide. 

A recent report published by the ACLU of Delaware’s Equity in Education Campaign in partnership with the Charter School of New Castle (CSNC) highlights approaches to successfully addressing discipline disparities and drastically reducing both in- and out-of-school suspension rates. 

The secret? An inclusive school model that not only emphasizes the role of teachers and educational institutions, but also focuses attention on student engagement, and the responsibility of parents, caregivers, and the broader community in creating an environment conducive to a child’s learning and development.

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