March 2019 Envision Equity

J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y P U B L I C S C H O O L S
ENVISION
EQUITY
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND POVERTY PROGRAMS
MARCH 2019
ISSUE NO. 61
FREE
W.E.B.
DUBOIS
ACADEMY
Celebrate the Birthday
of Its Namesake
NAACP & JCPS
Host First of Five
Community Meetings
EDUCATORS RISING
2019 District
Conference Recap
And More!
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Photo, Getty Images

Above, W.E.B. DuBois Assistant Principal Latonya
Frazier gives an overview of W.E.B. DuBois.
DuBois Academy
Celebrate the Birthday of
Its Namesake
By Abdul Sharif, Generalist—Diversity, Equity, and
Poverty Programs
The W.E.B. DuBois Academy celebrated
the 151st birthday of its namesake.
W.E.B. DuBois, born William Edward
Burghardt DuBois, was born on February 23,
1868, in Great Barrington, MA. DuBois, a man of
many talents, was an American sociologist,
historian, author, editor, and activist who was
the most important black protest leader in
the United States during the first half of the
twentieth century. He shared in the creation of
the National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People (NAACP) in 1909 and edited The
Crisis, its magazine, from 1910 to 1934. His
collection of essays The Souls of Black Folk (1903)
is a landmark of African-American literature.
W.E.B. DuBois Academy students learned about
their school’s namesake during their Friday
morning Brotherhood Time. Mr. Jahi Peake, a
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ENVISION EQUITY MARCH 2019
DuBois Academy art teacher, created a project in which students celebrated W.E.B. DuBois’
birthday through creating
artistic pieces of DuBois’
most notable quotes.
DuBois graduated from
Fisk University, a black
institution at Nashville, TN,
in 1888. He received a Ph.D.
from Harvard University in
1895. His doctoral
dissertation, The
Suppression of the African
Slave-Trade to the United
States of America,
1638-1870, was published
in 1896. Although DuBois
took an advanced degree
in history, he was broadly
trained in the social
sciences; and at a time when sociologists were theorizing about race relations, he was
conducting empirical inquiries into the condition of blacks. For more than a decade, he devoted
himself to sociological investigations of blacks in America, producing 16 research monographs
published between 1897 and 1914 at Atlanta University, where he was a professor, as well as The
Philadelphia Negro; A Social Study (1899), the first case study of a black community in the United
States.
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Diversity, Equity, and Poverty Department
The Model
Recognizing Culturally Responsive and Innovative Classroom Teachers
Name: Kim Williams-Hamilton
School: Shacklette Elementary
Kim Williams-Hamilton was born and raised
in Brooklyn, New York. She has been a
teacher at Shacklette Elementary School
for 8 years. Ms. Hamilton’s favorite grade to
teach is fifth grade.
Ms. Hamilton graduated from Spalding University with
a Masters in Education K-5, and she has a Rank I in
Teacher Leadership and an endorsement in
Technology K-12.
She has wanted to be a teacher since she was in 6th
grade…and she always lets people know that she is
“living her dream!”
Ms. Hamilton loves bowling, playing Texas Hold'em,
and fishing.
Favorite quote: "It's never too late to become what
you might have been."
Favorite movie: Fast and the Furious; The Godfather;
The Five Heartbeats.
Favorite book: Anything by Stephen King or Dean
Koontz
Favorite TV-show: Investigative Discovery, Wheel of
Fortune and Jeopardy
My Best friend: My mom

ENVISION EQUITY MARCH 2019
NAACP HOLDS COMMUNITY
MEETING WITH JCPS
By Dr. Geneva Stark, Specialist—Diversity, Equity, and Poverty Programs Department
Photo provided by Dr. Geneva Stark.
Mr. Raoul Cunningham, NAACP
President, and Dr. Kathryn
Wallace, NAACP Education Chair,
and one of the NAACP’s premier partners,
Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS),
have hosted public meetings to enlighten
the community on programs and activities of
JCPS. It is imperative that the community is
aware of the programs and activities that
impact our students, schools, and
community.
The NAACP realizes the value and the
appreciation the community has for the
knowledge and information provided at
these meetings. The first meeting was held
on Wednesday, February 13, at Maupin
Above, JCPS Communications Chief Renee Murphy speaks during
the NAACP community meeting at Maupin Elementary School.
Elementary School. JCPS officials present
during the meeting were Dr. John Marshall,
JCPS Equity Officer; Dr. Devon Horton, JCPS
Chief of Schools; and Renee Murphy, JCPS
Chief of Communications.
Renee Murphy spoke about the rebranding
of JCPS. She spoke about the “six days of
attendance” campaign on television and the
importance of students’ coming to school
every day. She also spoke about the need to
capture all of the great stories and things
that happen in our school district that go
unnoticed.
Dr. John Marshall spoke about the Racial
Equity Policy (REP), Racial Equity Analysis
Protocol (REAP) and the Equity Scorecard.
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ENVISION EQUITY MARCH 2019
Dr. Marshall spoke about the
importance of the district’s mission
to implement the plan with fidelity.
He spoke about each school’s plan
and how the Diversity, Equity and
Poverty Programs Department is
assisting schools. Dr. Marshall also
spoke about the need to hold each
school accountable.
Above, JCPS Chief Equity Officer, Dr. John Marshall speaks during
the NAACP community meeting at Maupin Elementary School.
Photo, provided by Dr. Geneva Stark.
Dr. Devon Horton spoke about
Calibration, Collaboration Visits
(CCV) to schools to help and
support their racial equity plans. He
also spoke about the need to have effective and efficient principals in school buildings. He
spoke about his work with leaders in Coaching Up! Coaching Up! And Coaching Out!
After presentations, the floor was open to members of the audience to ask questions or to
share their thoughts.
The next NAACP/JCPS Community Meeting will take place on February 27, 2019, and will
focus on “Updates of State and District Concerns and Practices.” Guest speakers will
include Dr. Wayne Lewis, Kentucky Education Commissioner, and Dr. Marty Pollio, JCPS
Superintendent.
All meetings will take place in the gymnasium of Maupin Elementary School, 1312 Catalpa
Street, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Above, JCPS Chief of Schools Devon Horton speaks during the NAACP
community meeting at Maupin Elementary School.
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ENVISION EQUITY MARCH 2019
Above, Dr. Lateefah Id-Deen speaks during her Community
Conversation at the Louisville Urban League.
Dr. Lateefah Id-
Deen Inspires Girls
of Color to Excel in
Math During
Community
Conversation
By Abdul Sharif, Generalist—Diversity, Equity, and
Poverty Programs
Photos, Abdul Sharif.
Dr. Lateefah Id-Deen is an assistant
professor of Mathematics Education in
the Department of Elementary and
Early Childhood Education at Kennesaw State
University in Georgia. She teaches mathematics
methods courses for undergraduate elementary
education majors. Her research examines
vulnerable students’ identities and perspectives
to enhance student-teacher relationships and
their sense of belonging in mathematics
classrooms.
Dr. Id-Deen was raised in East Oakland, CA, and
spent some time in Atlanta, GA. She credits her
grandmother in playing an integral part in her
becoming a teacher. Dr. Id-Deen has four sisters,
one brother, and nieces and nephews whom she
loves dearly. She taught at public and private
schools for a total of six years in Pine Bluff, AR,
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ENVISION EQUITY MARCH 2019
and Atlanta. Both
contexts helped
her shape the
type of teacher
and teacher
educator she is
today.
On February 18,
Dr. Id-Deen
facilitated a
Community
Conversation as
part of our
February Speaker
Series. Dr. Id-
Above, Dr. Ahmad Washington participates in a breakout sessions during the Community Conversation. Deen spoke
about many of the
challenges facing black girls in JCPS mathematics classrooms. Last year, Dr. Id-Deen conducted
a study of girls of color in JCPS math classes,
and many of the girls met with expressed
frustration, apprehension, and a fear of
mathematics. During the Community
Conversation, Dr. Id-Deen presented quotes from
her study to create a dialogue with attendees.
Community Conversation participants were
paired in groups to come up with their own
solutions to some of the issues girls of color are
experiencing in JCPS mathematics classrooms.
Some of the solutions that audience members
came up with included teachers making a better effort to connect math to high-paying careers,
such as engineering; connecting mathematics back to African culture; and building a stronger
bond between girls of color and their teachers, among others.
On February 19, Dr. Id-Deen conducted a professional-development (PD) session for District
Staff at Atherton High School. Teachers and administrators left Dr. Id-Deen’s PD with a better
understanding of how to address the lack of interest that many girls of color have toward
mathematics.
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ENVISION EQUITY MARCH 2019
JCPS HOSTS EDUCATORS
RISING DISTRICT CONFERENCE
By Abdul Sharif, Generalist—Diversity, Equity, and Poverty Programs Department
Photos, Abdul Sharif.
E
ducators Rising cultivates highly skilled
educators by guiding young people on a path
to becoming accomplished teachers.
Educators Rising is a national organization
for middle school, high school, and college
students. The mission of Educators Rising is
to foster the recruitment and development of
prospective educators worldwide through
the dissemination of innovative
programming and relevant research. JCPS
has more than 100 students who are active in
the activities, community services events,
and competitions sponsored by Educators
Rising. This organization attracts, equips, and
Above, an Educators Rising student displays her competition certificate.
provides experiences for students who are
exploring teaching as a future career.
Students are given the opportunity to
compete at a district, state, and national
level in competitions supporting growth and
curriculum in the field of education.
On February 6, the Diversity, Equity, and
Poverty (DEP) Programs Department of JCPS
sponsored a district conference for the
Educators Rising organization. The
conference included three workshops
presented by community members:
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ENVISION EQUITY MARCH 2019
•“The Miseducation of You,”
presented by DEP resource teacher
Shashray McCormack
•“College Student Advocacy 101,”
presented by University of Louisville
(UofL) Minority Teacher Recruitment
Program coordinator Sherry Durham
•“The Backpack of a Counselor,”
presented Louisville Male High
School counselor Jasmine Drinkard
Above, Jasmin Drinkard facilitates a presentation.
The conference also hosted a college
fair attended by more than 13 Kentucky colleges and universities from around the state. JCPS
students were also able to compete in five competitions, which included Ethical Dilemma,
Public Speaking, Exploring Careers (administration, teaching and support services), Children’s
Literature (Pre-K and K–3), and Researching Learning Challenges.
Dr. Ron Chi, former
principal of The
Learning Center (TLC) at
Linlee was the keynote
speaker for the
conference. Beginning
July 1, Chi will travel
overseas to China,
South Korea, and
Estonia to pursue his
passion of creating a
global education
standard. He is hoping
to bridge
Above, Dr. Ron Chi speaks to students during his keynote presentation.
communication and collaboration between Frankfort students and students in Seoul, but as
the district has focused on improving collaboration locally, that communication has been put
on pause. Chi said he wants to reopen those lines of communications. Other countries have a
variety of real-world skills they value more than America does. Sharing those values can only
serve to improve American education, he added. Dr. Chi said that the only way America can
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ENVISION EQUITY MARCH 2019
compete globally is to
embrace a global
understanding of
education and he
encouraged Educators
Rising participants to
consider teaching
abroad as well as in
Kentucky.
School administrators,
teachers, and school
personnel are
extremely proud of the
hard work and dedication exhibited by the students in the Educators Rising organization.
Through this organization, JCPS is able to promote a positive image of education to
students, parents, and the community while promulgating information about teaching!
For more information about the Educators Rising program, please contact program
coordinator Taylor Utley at 485-6331.
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ENVISION EQUITY MARCH 2019
March 2019
Check out our monthly update video featuring JCPS Chief of
Communications Renee Murphy, Community Engagement
Coordinator Delquan Dorsey, and Generalist Abdul Sharif, to find out
what DEP has coming up this month!
Click Here to Play
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Resource
Teacher
Spotlight
Kadia Turner
ENVISION EQUITY SEPTEMBER 2018
Kadia Turner is an experienced educator
who brings a wealth of knowledge from
across the educational sector to advocate
for children. It was as an undergraduate at
Emory University when she became acutely aware of
the “Savage Inequalities” facing our nation’s students
of color, urban youth, and students in poverty. This
knowledge propelled her to earn a Bachelor of Arts in
Elementary Education, and begin her career in urban
Atlanta. While earning a Master of Educational
Leadership at the University of Georgia she moved
from inner city classrooms facing poverty to rural
classroom facing poverty all brimming with brilliance.
It was through this experience that she came to
believe that it is up to us as educators to keep our
country’s promises to its children . This passion has
driven her to educate students in public and private
school, before and after school, and throughout the
summer. Mrs. Turner has found joy, laughter, wisdom
and peace in books since she was a child, and seeks to
share that magical experience with children
everywhere. She has served in JCPS for over 10 years
at the Elementary level. Understanding that
excellence will not be achieved without equity keeps
her focused on improving educational outcomes for
our nation’s most disenfranchised students. Kadia is
thrilled to have the chance to share and grow with
other educators knowing that we can be the change
we want to see.
Click here for video story.
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Photo provided by Katia Turner.

ENVISION EQUITY MARCH 2019
2019 GIRLS
EMPOWERMENT
CONFERENCE
The Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) District and several community
partners present the second annual Girls Empowerment Conference. This event
will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2019, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University
of Louisville Shelby Campus. The purpose of the event is to build character, enrich
leadership skills, enhance self-esteem, and provide a holistic approach to
educating young girls of color. While participating in the conference, the targeted
girls will explore various aspects of their identity and build positive and
meaningful relationships with encouraging role models.
To register your student or for more information please contact Sylena R.
Fishback at 485-7967 or sylena.fishback@jefferson.kyschools.us.
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ENVISION EQUITY MARCH 2019
NOMINATE AN
EDUCATOR OF
COLOR!
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2019 Educators of Color Celebration.
The celebration will be held on Friday, April 12th at the Kentucky Center for
African American Heritage at 6 p.m. Click here to download a nomination form! Or
click here to R.S.V.P. to attend!
J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y P U B L I C S C H O O L S
2019
D I V E R S I T Y , E Q U I T Y , A N D P O V E R T Y
EDUCATORS OF
COLOR CELEBRATION
Please join us for the second annual Educators of Color Celebration. This event
will be held on Friday, April 12, 2019 at 6 pm. The purpose of the event is to
recognize the amazing teachers, administrators, and school support staff of
color within JCPS. We believe educators of color make a positive and lasting
impact on students across our district. Our celebration will acknowledge the
champions in our classrooms who lead students to academic success each day.
APRIL 12, 2019 | 6 p.m.
KENTUCKY CENTER FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE
1701 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.
Attire is dress to impress. Dinner will be served.
To R.S.V.P., please contact Delquan Dorsey at 485-3506 or
delquan.dorsey@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Greater Louisville Alliance of
Black School Educators
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ENVISION EQUITY MARCH 2019
JCPS Hosts Final Racial Equity
Policy Community Meeting
By Abdul Sharif, Generalist—Diversity, Equity, and Poverty Programs Department
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Poverty Programs invites you to attend the fourth
and final Racial Equity Policy Community Meeting of the 2018-19 school year. So far
this year, our office has facilitated community meetings at Central High School
Magnet Career Academy (MCA), Chancey Elementary School, Maupin Elementary School,
and the Academy @ Shawnee. Our next meeting will take place on Thursday, March 21, at
the W.E.B. DuBois Academy, located at 4425 Preston Highway.
If you would like to attend, please R.S.V.P. by calling 485-3655
or emailing delquan.dorsey@jefferson.kyschools.us.
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ENVISION EQUITY MARCH 2019
The Unteachables
By Gordon Korman
Balzer + Bray, 2019
Ages 8-12
Books for Young Readers
Carter Reads the Newspaper
By Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrated by Don Tate
Peachtree Publishers, 2019
Ages 6-10
Mr. Kermit is one school year away from early retirement.
The end of the year cannot come too soon. Mr. Kermit’s
passion for teaching died years ago when a cheating scandal
destroyed his promising career. When he is assigned to
SCS-8, or “unteachables,” he figures that is just fine. He
doesn’t want to teach and they don’t want to learn. Once he
gets to know the kids in SCS-8 he discovers that maybe they
aren’t so unteachable and maybe he isn’t quite as burned out
as he thought.
Amal Unbound
By Aisha Saeed
Nancy Paulson Books, 2018
Ages 10 and up
Dr. Carter G. Woodson is an important figure in United
States history, but textbooks rarely mention him. Dr.
Woodson was born just after the Civil War and was the son
of former slaves. From a young age, he was taught the
importance of being informed, of standing up for yourself,
and of knowing your story. As he grew up, Dr. Woodson
learned that many people believed that African Americans
didn’t have a history of their own. Incensed, Woodson
determined to study history to prove what he already knew:
African Americans had a unique and rich history. He went to
Harvard to earn a PhD in History, becoming the second
African American to earn a doctorate (W.E.B. Du Bois was
first). He spent his career studying and writing about African
American history. He created the Negro History Week to
celebrate the accomplishments of great African Americans,
which eventually became Black History Month. Carter
Reads the Newspaper traces the extraordinary story of the
man who would become the father of African American
history.
12-year-old Amal knows that life can be unfair. It is
unfair that she is expected to stay home from school to
help with her younger sisters after her mother gives
birth. It is unfair that girls are so unappreciated that her
whole village openly pities the family for having yet
another. It is unfair that the village landlord is cruel and
pushes families into debt to keep them under his
control. But it is not until she makes an impulsive
mistake that she comes to realize not only just how
unfair life can be, but also how much of a difference one
person can make.
Information provided by Tori Sachtleben, Louisville Free Public Library
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ENVISION EQUITY MARCH 2019
Professional Development
Opportunities
Title Session Code Date & Time Location Contact
Culturally Appropriate
Integration of
Activities
Neurodiversity
Approach for Learners
18-1996519 March 6
4:15 to 6:45 p.m.
18-1996492 March 7
4:00 to 5:30 p.m.
Poverty Simulation 18-1996509 March 11
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Culturally Responsive
Reading
18-1996489 March 14
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Seneca High
UA Local 502
4340 Crittenden Drive
Marion C. Moore
School
Engelhard Elementary
Dr. Monica Lakhwani
(502) 485-7269
Dr. Monica Lakhwani
(502) 485-7269
Dr. Monica Lakhwani
(502) 485-7269
Dr. Monica Lakhwani
(502) 485-7269
Let Them BE: Be
Excellent, Be Engaged,
Be Excited
18-1997217 March 19
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Atherton High
Vanessa McPhail
(502) 485-3631
Being the Change:
Rejecting Anti-Bias
Pedagogy
18-1998604 March 20
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Marion C. Moore
School
DEP
(502) 485-3506
Culturally Responsive
Classroom
Management:
Disruption That Leads
to Engagement
18-1998629 March 20
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Marion C. Moore
School
DEP
(502) 485-3506
Racial Equity Analysis
Protocol (REAP)
18-1998611 March 20
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Marion C. Moore
School
DEP
(502) 485-3506
Reaching and Teaching
Black Boys Through
Literacy
18-1998617 March 20
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Marion C. Moore
School
DEP
(502) 485-3506
Windows and Mirrors:
Who Do Your Students
See?
18-1998635 March 20
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Marion C. Moore
School
DEP
(502) 485-3506
Poverty and Brain
Development
18-1996498 March 20
4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Seneca High
Dr. Monica Lakhwani
(502) 485-7269
SBDM: Introduction
to School-Based
Decision Making
18-1995908 (PD)
18-1996844 (EILA)
March 23
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
VanHoose Education
Center
Dr. Shawna Stenton
(502) 485-3056
Speaker and Film
Series: Viva La Causa
18-1996506 March 25
3:30 to 5:00 p.m.
Muhammad Ali Center
Dr. Monica Lakhwani
(502) 485-7269
Adultifying Girls of
Color: Implicit Sexism
and Stigma
18-1999073 March 27
4:45 to 6:45 p.m.
C.B. Young Jr. Service
Center
Vanessa McPhail
(502) 485-3631
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ENVISION EQUITY MARCH 2019
English Conversation Club
Wednesdays, 7 p.m. – Main Library, 301
York Street
Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. – Bon Air Library,
2816 Del Rio Place & Shively Library,
3920 Dixie Highway
Saturdays, 3 p.m. – Iroquois Library, 601
W. Woodlawn Ave.
English Conversation Club allows nonnative
speakers to practice English in a
relaxed, informal setting with others. If
you are learning the English language, or
would like to practice conversing in
English, come join us at the Conversation
Club. Participants should have some basic
knowledge of the English language before
joining. For English as a Second
Language (ESL) students, this is a great
way to use what you have learned in ESL
classes.
Immigration: Stories of Status
Tuesday, March 12, 6:30 p.m.
Main Library. 301 York Street
Louisville Free Public Library invites
you to a fast class on immigration in
America today. The class, co-hosted by
Catholic Charities of Louisville and
Louisville Public Media, will feature
personal stories and explore legal
differences in the statuses of immigrants,
migrants, refugees, asylum-seekers and
job-seekers. Stephen George, president
and general manager of LPM, will
moderate a panel of experts and facilitate
storytelling by Louisvillians who
immigrated to the U.S. The goal of the
conversation is to unpack the complicated
realities of immigration in America today.
Panelists and storytellers include:
Rebecca Sim, Catholic Charities of
Louisville; Mark Martinez, Martinez
Immigration Law PLLC; Barbara
Menefee, Dinsmore & Shohl., Ahmed
Hussein, Agnes Kovacs and Karina
Barillas. The event is free and open to the
public, but registration is requested. Call
502-574-1623 to reserve your spot. This
is a #BeGolden event presented by
Catholic Charities of Louisville and
Louisville Public Media.
Women of the World Celebration
Saturday, March 9, 1 p.m.
Iroquois Library, 601 W. Woodlawn Ave.
This annual celebration spotlights women
and girls from around the world, living
here in Louisville and empowering their
communities. Enjoy food, dance, and
music with women from a variety of
international backgrounds.
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ENVISION EQUITY MARCH 2019
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ENVISION EQUITY MARCH 2019
2019
Diversity Equity, and Poverty & Student Equity and Community Engagement
EQUITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION
C O N F E R E N C E
This conference will include motivational speakers to
encourage students to achieve greatness into life after
high school! Speakers will discuss various topics (i.e.,
budgeting and loans, college-life, housing, and
vocations/trades). These discussions will provide
students, (Juniors and Seniors) with information, tips,
and encouragement in transitioning to college and/or
career life. In addition, the conference will offer several
undergraduate scholarships for qualified high school
Seniors that have applied for and earned a scholarship
through our Student Equity & Community Engagement
program. Lunch will be provided and transportation
can be provided to students if needed. Juniors and
Seniors please apply to attend our 2019 conference
now!
March 21, 2019
University of Louisville Student Activities Center, 2100
South Floyd Street. W116 & 117
9 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Sponsored by the University of Louisville OYES (Order
Your Educational Steps) Program, and Student Equity
and Community Engagement
Click here for application
Deadline is March 11, 2019
For more information, please contact 485-3650.
Keynote Speaker
Mr. Twany Beckham,
author and national
basketball champion.
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Why LGBTQ?
Demographic Data
LGBTQ Youth:
● 3.2 million LGBTQ youth
● 6% of all young people (8-18)
● 57% feel unsafe at school
● 85% experienced verbal abuse
BE
A
BIG
!
Mentoring Works!
● 94% of youth in our program reported
that they have confidence to achieve
their goals.
● 85% said they overcame adversity with
the help of their Big.
● 75% are more likely to receive a 4 year
degree.
● They expressed that they are twice as
likely to experience life satisfaction.
Mentoring through
1-to-1 relationships can
help LGBTQ youth facing
adversity find success in
education & life!
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14 TH JUNE
REGISTRATION OPENS NOV. 1, 2018 - www.feat5K.com
For information on sponsorship opportunities: FEAT5k@FEATofLouisville.org
12019
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ENVISION EQUITY MARCH 2019
J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y P U B L I C S C H O O L S
2019
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND POVERTY DEPARTMENT
SPEAKER
SERIES
With Dr. LaRhonda Mathies
Dr. LaRhonda Mathies is a life-long resident of Louisville and grew up in Smoketown
and the West End. Dr. Mathies began her professional career with Jefferson County
Public Schools (JCPS) in 2002 as an elementary art teacher and later transitioned into
middle school where she served for 10 years. In 2012 she became an instructional
coach and is currently serving in that role at The Academy @ Shawnee. She is a
graduate of duPont Manual High School and earned her bachelor’s and master’s
degrees in art education from the University of Kentucky. She completed her principal
certification from Indiana University Southeast and doctorate in educational leadership
and organizational development from the University of Louisville. Her doctoral research
examined perceptions of persistently disciplined Black girls and the school-to-prison
pipeline in urban settings. Her work underscores the significance of increased attention
to strengths-based approaches to meet educational needs of Black girls and the
implementation of culturally responsive pedagogy, programs and policies.
After completing her doctorate she co-founded ColorBraveJCPS, a coalition of educators with the vision of elevating
social justice through education. They seek to proliferate emancipatory learning that bolsters equity, accessibility and
inclusivity for historically marginalized populations in urban public education. ColorBraveJCPS has facilitated book
study’s, workshops, professional development, coaching sessions and panel discussions for educators, students and
community members. Dr. Mathies is a passionate servant leader with an unwavering belief in empowering all students
to thrive in multiculturally equitable, socioeconomically aware, and globally informed learning environments. She has
been recognized by JCPS Diversity Equity & Poverty Department with the Educator of Color Award, the Hilliard Lyons
Excellence in Teaching Award and the University of Louisville Community Change Agent Award.
Community Conversation
March 18, 2019, 6 – 8 PM
Louisville Urban League
Professional Development (PD)
March 19, 2018, 4:30 – 6 :30 PM
Atherton High School
PD# 18-1997217
Topic: Let Them B.E.--Be Excellent, Be
Engaged, Be Excited
For more information, please contact Telva Hogan at 485-7318 or telva.hogan@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Please register for Professional Development (PD) sessions on pdCentral using the provided PD number.
https://apps3.jefferson.kyschools.us/pdCentralProd/UserLogin.aspx
Editor—Catherine Collesano
Editor, Photo Contributor—Abdul Sharif
Credits
Envision Equity is a publication of the JCPS Department of Diversity, Equity, and Poverty Programs. All
submissions should be sent to Catherine Collesano at catherine.collesano@jefferson.kyschools.us or Abdul
Sharif at abdul.sharif2@jefferson.kyschools.us. If you are interested in becoming a subscriber or a
contributor to Envision Equity, please contact one of the editors at the above email address.
www.jefferson.kyschools.us
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Offering Equal Educational Opportunities
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