Open Buffalo's collaboration with Buffalo Public Schools' Guardians of Equity is a prime example of community driven leadership development aimed at fostering equity and justice within the education system.
Through this training the focus was to equip leaders with the tools to challenge inequities, create inclusiveness and empower school and community leaders.
Leaders were trained to understand and respect the diverse cultural backgrounds of students, educators, and families. To teach ways to identify and dismantle barriers to educational equity and to construct shared solutions.
Transformative leadership practices included encouraging vulnerability and courage in addressing systematic injustices, which focused on addressing some root causes in educational outcomes.
Participants developed tangible plans and worked in small groups to discuss what they saw for future students.
The ultimate goal is to create a school system where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed, and where equity is embedded in every aspect of education. One leader at a time.