Equity Advocate Spotlight

Director, Equity and Diversity Education Department Clark County School District

As the director of the EDE department her role is...

• to provide leadership and directional focus to the department regarding the implementation of cultural diversity concepts throughout the district.
• to network with other agencies, departments, and community groups to expand the influence of equity in the school district and community.
• extend the EDE 'equity net' to include all schools and community connections.
• to organize, with the EDE team, events and programs that promote a greater understanding of what it means to be culturally and socially aware.
• lead the department with a vision that includes the passion and enthusiasm to inspire others

The best moments of Greta's week are when...

• when members of the administrative team and office staff work in concert to guarantee the success of the services the department offers other moments include the creative and innovative thinking about future workshops and staff development.
• when the practice and culture of the district is an enhanced aspect of being culturally responsive to students and the community
• when I am able to share the energy of diversity with colleagues and share the knowledge, and learn from others
• every time an excellent diversity event and training is offered by the department.
• Knowing and feeling the positive impact diverse programs have on CCSD staff fulfills my desire to affect positive change, particularly among teachers who leave courses filled with new energy and ideas that motivate students in new ways through diverse lesson delivery, and use culture as an enhancement to increase academic achievement.

Greta's wish for the future of equity in schools is...

• that every child, and staff member, will come to school without ever feeling intimidated because he or she has different views, values,beliefs, nationality, background, or preferences.
• that through the Equity and Diversity school site representatives, the message for great understanding will reach all schools and Clark County will truly be a welcoming place to live and raise families.
• that equity is taken seriously. provided with enthusiasm, and practiced wholeheartedly

It is my belief that many of the challenges that occur in schools and classrooms in general could be resolved if more administrators and teachers were more informed and received required Culturally Responsive training.

Greta wishes her colleagues knew...

• the challenge we meet as a department to spread the knowledge, resources, and opportunities within the District and the community
• the state of urgency for all educators to be culturally aware and conscious -that my work is more than a job---it is a commitment to our children, our
• community, our staff, and mostly to myself.
• that, even though I work with a marvelous and supportive staff, the ultimate responsibility for the success or failure of the Equity and Diversity Education program, rests primarily on my shoulder, and that motivates me to strive for the BEST.

A brief story about recent equity work with at CCSD:Recent work within the Equity and Diversity Departments includes two very great and informative conferences. The Department hosted the National Council on Educating Black Children in Las Vegas this past spring. There were many distinguished speakers present to educate attendees in their areas of expertise. This event was attended by educators from all over the country and Canada. The most recent event held by the Equity and Diversity Department was the annual Cross-Cultural Institute held June 23-24, 2011. This event filled up within 12 hours after being posted on the teacher website for registration. Over 300 educators within the CCSD were able to attend. Close to 1000 teachers were on the waiting list. The Keynote speakers, vendors, and breakout sessions were all very informative. It is a summer event that many teachers and administrators look forward to attending in the summer to gain more knowledge on how to become more Culturally Responsive in their schools with their students and with one another.

In addition to these two major events, the Equity and Diversity Department provides training sessions monthly for school site liaisons. They are very informative and provide schools with the opportunity to have someone knowledgeable within their staff to receive current information from. The keynote speakers touched hearts and motivated participants to move forward with renewed commitment. There was openness not only by the speakers but also by the participants in the breakout sessions. Many teachers felt a willingness to take risks and share issues, experiences, and concerns without feeling threatened. In March of this year, the first fruits of our train-the-trainers program courses were offered. The course, Exploring Culture through Films was the first of its kind offered by EDE. This labor of love was produced by two of CCSD's own teachers. Training teachers within the district to deliver diversity programs is one of the most innovative, cost effective means of transmitting culture through the lived experiences of course facilitator.