"If we were really serious in this country about how education fits into the American Dream . . . we would be serious about ensuring that low-income kids and kids of color got the best and the most, rather than the least and the worst."
— Amy Wilkins
Amy Wilkins — senior fellow for social justice at the College Board and longtime advocate for educational equity known best for her work at the Education Trust — talks policy, patience and professional mistakes on Episode 6 of The Leaders' Table.
Amy schools us on what states need to do to implement the Every Student Succeeds Act and shares powerful advice for women working in Washington.
The real-talk lesson you’ll learn from Amy? To get things done, shut up and listen!
"You absolutely have to listen, whether you are lobbying or speaking to a journalist. If you listen carefully, you'll see where things are headed. I think so often we're so intent on getting our point across that we neglect to listen to the people who are talking to us, our coalition partners or members of Congress. If you listen, the roadblocks and path to victory are clear, but if you're intent on pushing your way through, you're going to fail."
Tune in to The #LeadersTablePodcast for tips, tricks, insights and stories from education changemakers.
Need to catch up on the #LeadersTablePodcast?
Check out Episode 1 with Ryan Smith, Episode 2 with Nina Rees, Episode 3 with Aixle Aman, Episode 4 with Luis Avila, Episode 5 with Jada Drew, and subscribe for upcoming episodes on your favorite podcast feed (iTunes, Stitcher, Soundcloud).
Up next
Marc Holley, evaluation unit director at the Walton Family Foundation on who’s getting it right in transforming schools.
Share your story on The Leaders’ Table
In the spirit of giving thanks this holiday season, we’re inviting you to share a 1-3 minute personal story about a “gift” you were given by a teacher, student, mentor or hero. Call (202) 856-7614 and leave your story as a voicemail message and we’ll compile these messages for a special holiday edition of The Leaders’ Table podcast.
Brush up on policy briefs
Did you know LEE members have access to a free Education Week subscription? Stay up to date on national news and more with this and other policy issue briefs.
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"The Policy Advisor Fellowship helped me get into spaces to do this hard and important work."