Hiring and retaining teachers and staff that reflect our student demographics should be a priority for Arlington’s new Superintendent and the School Committee.

 

As your school committee member, I will work to ensure:

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• the superintendent hiring search prioritizes candidates with a proven track record of tackling disparity issues in their prior districts, and with a commitment to transparency, communication, and collaboration with parents, caregivers, and educators. 

• mandated annual Bias and/or cultural competency training for all APS administrators, teachers, staff and school committee members

• the hiring of a Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator, which is standard among our comparable districts

• all hiring and retention efforts are conducted with a lens towards diversity and inclusion in order to attract, invite and engage teachers/administrators, especially teachers of color. Efforts could include:

  • the development of an APS website created with an eye towards diversity and inclusion that highlights the strides we have already made and outlines  the vision and implementation plan for where we want to be

  • the creation of bi-annual, outside-facilitated listening and sharing sessions for teachers and staff of color 

  • an APS Employee Retention Program, developed with and for teachers of color

  • the creation of affordable housing programs for highly sought after teachers

  • the development of community networking and referral programs that leverage the social media power of Arlington's residents and Linked-in profiles