Democracy and Public Education in Peril Webinar
Today’s young people are continuing to reckon with the social-political climate brought about by issues such as school shootings, anti-LGBTQ + legislation like the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, the loss of reproductive rights post-Roe, as well as grappling with COVID-19, anti-Black racism, and attacks on our public education. At Nellie Mae, we fund efforts in New England that ensure our public education system is a place for young people to feel safe, supported, and respected; where there is critical thinking and diverse thought; and where talented teachers encourage debate and discovery.
Yet a powerful few continue to threaten this vision of educational equity, letting political rhetoric get in the way of what matters the most: teaching the truth about our country, including both its founding principles and flaws. It can be difficult to be hopeful during these times and to find healing and joy. It is critical for us to hear from those on the front lines in understanding how to collectively support communities, schools, teachers, and our young people through advocacy, resources, and knowledge-sharing measures so that our education system is a system that works for all.
Speakers
Jennifer Berkshire
Writer/Editor/Podcaster @Have You Heard
Jennifer writes about education and politics for the Nation, the New Republic, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and other publications. She is the creator and co-host of the education policy podcast “Have You Heard” and the co-author (with Jack Schneider) of A Wolf at the Schoolhouse Door: the Dismantling of Public Education and the Future of School. Jennifer teaches in the journalism program at Boston College and in the Education Studies program at Yale University. A licensed public school teacher, she lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
Paige Clausius-Parks
Senior Policy Analyst @Rhode Island KIDS COUNT
Paige Clausius-Parks is a Senior Policy Analyst at Rhode Island KIDS COUNT. Rhode Island KIDS COUNT is a statewide children’s policy and advocacy organization that works to improve the health, safety, education, economic well-being, and development of Rhode Island’s children, with a commitment to equity and the elimination of unacceptable disparities by race, ethnicity, disability, zip code, immigration status, neighborhood, and income. Paige is responsible for policy analysis, advocacy, and project management in areas related to education and economic well-being. Paige advocates for the needs of Rhode Island students and families by testifying on budgetary investments and legislation that impact, economic stability and mobility, student mental and behavioral health, school curriculum, school culture, college and career readiness initiatives, and Out-of-School Time programs and works to ensure students in low-income families, Students of Color, Multilingual Learners, and students with disabilities receive the resources they need to succeed.
Paige serves on many coalitions and advisory groups including the Rhode Island Department of Education Learning, Equity, and Accelerated Pathways District Support Program External Steering Committee, Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner Advisory Committee, the City of Providence COVID-19 Recovery and Resiliency Task Force, the working group for the Providence Guaranteed Income Initiative, the Coalition for Multilingual Learners, co-chairs the Rhode Island Works Advisory Committee and leads the RI Alliance for College and Career Readiness, the Raising RI Coalition, and the Anti-Racist Education Policy Collaborative. Paige served as a member of the Providence review team and co-chaired the Excellence in Learning subcommittee of the Community Design Team, the team charged with helping to develop the Providence Public Schools Turnaround Action Plan. Paige holds a Rhode Island educator certification in secondary social studies and was a Teacher/Advisor at the Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center in Providence, RI. Paige has a Bachelor of Arts from Providence College and a Master of Education from Harvard University.
Tina Kim Philibotte
Education Equity Advocate
Tina Kim Philibotte is a leading advocate for educational equity in New Hampshire and nationwide. She joined the Manchester School District in July 2021 as the district’s first Chief Equity Officer. This role is the first of its kind in a public school district in the state of NH. In December 2021, in her individual capacity as a DEI director in public education, Tina joined a lawsuit with the ACLU, the NEA, and a diverse group of attorneys from throughout New England in protest of NH’s “Banned Concepts Law.” Tina previously spent 13 years teaching English and Dance at the high school level and has contributed to curriculum review committees for the NH Department of Education, the NH State Council on the Arts, and districts throughout the state. Tina is an NH Listens Fellow, an NAACP Education Committee contributor, as well as an Advisory Group Member of the Endowment for Health’s Race & Equity Series. She is a member of Leadership NH’s Class of 2022, was a 2019 NH State Teacher of the Year finalist, and a two-time National Writing Project Fellow. Tina received both her BA and Master’s Degree in Education from Plymouth State University and is currently a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership at Boston University.