A team of Woodland Hills educators is busy preparing for the district’s first JEDI Conference on February 14. JEDI stands for Joy, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and the conference will feature a keynote speaker and presentations with a focus on diversity and inclusion in the classroom. The event will also incorporate the district’s Black Student Union and will be attended by all staff members in the district as part of an in-service day.
The effort is part of the district’s ongoing commitment to eliminate racial disparities in its classroom and in its schools. The JEDI Conference is specifically part of an action plan developed by the educators as part of a project through the Equity Leadership Initiative through Teach Plus. Woodland Hills was one of several districts throughout Pennsylvania selected to be part of the initiative.
“That action plan for us as a district was to really focus on retaining the educators of color that we have and creating a welcoming and inclusive work environment,” said Dr. Eddie Willson, Assistant to the Superintendent for Curriculum for the Woodland Hills School District.
Each month, district educators answer survey questions focused on racial equity and inclusiveness in the classroom. Analysis of those surveys is shared with the educators to lead an open dialogue and conversation. This process also helps the district ensure that it is serving all students in an equitably and providing appropriate support.
Nine district educators are contributing to the initiative, and the team is led by elementary teacher Ms. Desiree White-Price.
“She has facilitated all of the conversations and is the leader in all of that work right now,” Dr. Willson said. “She deserves a lot of credit.”
The district’s efforts were recently spotlighted in TeachPlus’ Equity Leadership Institute monthly newsletter. “This project is designed to foster deeper conversations among staff about bias, cultural responsiveness, and inclusive practices,” the organization said in the newsletter. “By continually revisiting these themes, Woodland Hills is seeking to drive meaningful, actionable change, ensuring that equity remains at the forefront of their educational mission.”