Around the country, districts are strug
LEE members and co-founders Kathryn Col
LEE member Samantha Ellison worked
Ending the injustice of educational
Equity leaders know the importance
Explore policy & advocacy career o
Brandon Lewis fights for educational equity because he believes that Black boys born in Alabama deserve a high quality education, just like he did.
Ryan Smith, executive director of The Education Trust-West, joins LEE for the launch of The Leaders' Table podcast. Ryan riffs with Jason Llorenz on advocacy in a very big state, shares advice for future executive directors, and talks about what it takes to make policy with communities, not for them.
As a fellow working with Chiefs for Change, Julianne partners with 23 active school leaders from across the country, nine at the state level and 14 at the district level.
Tell us about your Public Poli
"The question we need to be asking is how do we provide the right resources to families so that they feel they can support their children through their education."
“The experience also helped me expand my network and gave me access to professional development with other fellows that allowed me to think deeply about this work."
“When we, as an American society, realize that our collective triumph is contingent upon the individual victories of those most deprived among us, then will equity in education be realized. Everyone has a role in this work.”
Growing up in Northeast Texas, Fatema B
"My fellowship allowed me to get my foot in the door, have a seat at the table, and obtain a space where my voice could truly be heard. And actions actually followed shortly thereafter.”
"I am grateful for the space that this summit created that gave me the opportunity to connect with Asian-American advocates around the country."
“For now, I am choosing to remain in the classroom, educating future generations of leaders and scholars who will undoubtedly change the field of education for the better.”
"If no one speaks up, if no one writes the story, if no one asks the question, if no one testifies at the board meeting, or if no one confronts the legislator, students lose out and inequity wins.”
"Ultimately, I want to couple academia, policy, and advocacy to innovate and implement solutions for people of color from low-income backgrounds."
“As white people, our actions and beliefs have tangible impact on the movement for educational equity, and we must assess our own behaviors and hold ourselves accountable to ensuring our most vulnerable students receive the education they deserve.”
"The Policy Advisor Fellowship helped me get into spaces to do this hard and important work."
"I’m in this fellowship because I believe good policies create an equitable future for all students. And I want to be that policymaker."
"People most directly impacted by educational inequity need to collectively work together to design and implement policy strategies and campaigns that can elevate the support of our most vulnerable communities."
"As much as I care about and am personally invested in ending educational inequity, I know that I can never care more than the parents and students themselves."
“It is important for me to be a connector, organizer and leader in my community to support all students and families on their journey.”
"The kids were always and always will be capable. But what do our policies and systems of support say about our expectations of those we deem responsible for their learning?"
"My vision for ending educational inequity, then, is to assist people of color and all underrepresented groups in claiming positions of power, for themselves and their communities."
“I am confident that I was well-positioned to make meaningful contributions to my new organization because of my participation in the program."
"PASF has opened up my eyes to just the number of opportunities, work that needs to be done, and the people who are crucial in leading this effort."
"Through PASF, I was able to make the transition to start effecting the change I want to see."
"I got involved with LEE to tear back the layers of what is causing inequity across racial lines and socioeconomic lines."
"My theory of change relies heavily on the idea that my perspective — the perspective of a black, first-generation college graduate, and elected official — has been under-represented in the rooms where policy decisions are made."
I believe that we can assure every child has access to quality educational opportunities in their own neighborhood by adopting equitable policies that bridge the opportunity gap of our diverse student populations.
"I can see now the different ways that education intersects with politics, and why it’s critical to have voices advocating for students on all levels."
"Education and education policy needs to be student-centered."
An APIA elected official asked the room full of participants if they had ever envisioned an Asian-American president before, and no one raised their hands despite everyone in the room being APIA themselves.
I get to work as the bridge to the local level to learn more about the experiences of communities, and then share those experiences, challenges and successes with policymakers at the federal level.
Given our colonized status, asserting our educational sovereignty is the antidote for ending educational inequity.
The LEE Public Leaders Fellowship has transformed the way I see myself as an educator and as a leader.
Every day, students who identify as Asian & Pacific Islander American (APIA) face the injustice of educational inequity in classrooms across the nation. APIA voices are too often silenced or disregarded because of the "model minority" myth and the idea that educational equity is a "black-and-white" issue.
"LPLF pushed me to reflect on the role I am playing, and the role I am not playing in ending oppression in my professional and personal life."
When I truly reflected on those teachers, I realized that although I was helped, the majority of my classmates were left behind. This realization lit a fire in me to be a teacher like those I had, but to be that for all students.
"It wasn’t until I began mentoring a middle school student in Tucson that I recognized the difference that existed between her school and my school, simply because of the zip code. It infuriated me!"
"I believe those who are directly impacted by educational inequity have a unique role in creating the solution."
"My vision for combating educational inequity involves activating and mobilizing traditionally under-served groups that are most affected by educational inequity."
LEE member Fatema Basrai shares how she has developed into a leader in educational equity.
"I gained a greater feeling of confidence in my ability to do the important work of crafting public policy.”
If you’re looking for a great opportunity to build your skills and network, NPAW may be right for you.
Chicago native Kerease Epps knew growing up that the system she was a part of as a Chicago Public Schools student wasn’t one that gave all students a fair chance.
Put your earbuds in and join us as a fly on the wall for Irene’s reflections on her path from 6th-grade teacher to executive director of Friends of Choice in Urban Schools.
An intensive six-month program that builds leadership skills through individualized coaching, consulting and exclusive trainings, the Venture Fund & Fellowship is helping LEE members like Yannell take their civic ventures to the next level — and giving them a chance at up to $100,000 in funding.
Stephanie is inspiring fellow Coloradans to add their voice to the movement to end inequity.
He is a leader on a mission to kill the school to prison pipeline with lessons to share on keeping calm under pressure.
Why mentors need not be older than you, and how to find the people who will sustain you personally and professionally.
As the youngest-ever chair of the Board of Education for the school system where he was once both a student and a teacher, stories of students and the relationships Courtney has with teachers, parents, and community members show up in every policy decision he makes.
Our conversation with Kaya Henderson packs a punch, and not in the way you might assume if you know much about this former Chancellor of D.C. Public Schools.
Jackie’s primary objective as a fellow is to get every state to commit to standing up for equity.
Ever meet a leader whose energy is infectious? Who you can just tell is going places? That’s Manny Lamarre.
LEE member and Cincinnati School Board member Elisa Hoffman made the most of 2016.
Jaqueline Tucker is working to ensure that her students — and all of the students that come after them — will have passionate people advocating for them, from the classroom to the White House.
What sets Luzelma Canales apart, makes her an example not just for women in leadership, but an example for us all? Her community leaders her.
Tai Dixon of the Children’s Defense on her favorite failures, her strategies for work-free weekends, and why she cautions against listening to too much advice from others — zing!
Combining her Christian faith and experiences as a teacher and education advocate, Nicole working to close the academic achievement gap by building networks of local congregations.
Jim Shelton — president of education at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, founding executive director of President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative, and former deputy secretary of education for the U.S. Department of Education — talks with us about everything from who’s getting it right in education to how he plans his days.
Join The Leadership Conference Education Fund for the virtual launch on November 29, 2016, at 1 PM ET.
LEE member Stephanie Klupinski's job is to make sure that the dream of a charter school is actually happening in the classroom.
LEE member Acasia Wilson Feinberg is the executive director of [Educators 4 Excellence] in Chicago, where teachers are carrying out an advocacy campaign for more professional development policies.
LEE member Aura Cely (TFA San Antonio ’14) is a connector — of people, of resources, of ideas. She believes in the power of organizing to bridge gaps and bring neighbors together, and in making distinct resources to work in tandem and make an even greater impact.
How one LEE member sees education as a human right's issues and is using her law degree to fight for educational equity.
LEE member, Sanford Johnson, returns to his home state of Mississippi to focus on education policy and advocacy through his organization Mississippi First.
What one LEE member has to say about the Policy and Advocacy Summer Fellowship
Katie Hagan reflects on her experience as a Policy & Advocacy Summer Fellow in 2014.
Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE) members are part of a movement of leaders who share an enduring commitment to educational equity and a deep belief in the potential of every child.
Our mission at LEE is to inspire a diverse, enduring movement of leaders to engage civically within their communities to end the injustice of educational inequity.
Leadership for Educational Equity is a nonprofit leadership development organization inspiring & supporting a network of civic leaders to end the injustice of educational inequity.
Few would have faulted LEE member Amanda Spoto if she had chosen to spend her Saturday somewhere else.
For LEE members Milagros Barsallo and Veronica Palmer, it all comes down to family.