Forcing Actions Beyond Words

Ethical Educator

Scenario: A state superintendent association convened a committee that spent several years leading an initiative to promote greater diversity in school district staffing and greater equity in addressing needs of historically marginalized groups of students. A female member of the diversity and equity committee learns the association’s executive committee — made up almost exclusively of white superintendents — has selected a white suburban superintendent to replace the long-time association executive who is retiring. How should the superintendent respond to the dissonance between the association’s words and deeds in making this appointment?