Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools recently showcased its commitment to equity and inclusion through a series of standout presentations led by the district’s Equity Team and Equity Ambassadors.
Notable among the presenters were Lead Equity Coaches Dr. Raketa Ouedraogo-Thomas and Dr. Mark Maxwell, whose expertise and passion for educational equity captivated the audience. Their sessions focused on the Equity Blueprint and the Equity Ambassador Initiative, both of which are key components in the district's strategy for fostering inclusive school environments and promoting systemic change.
Their impactful co-facilitation, particularly in building collective capacity for equity, was widely celebrated as they provided attendees with practical strategies for enhancing operational effectiveness in schools.
Dr. Ouedraogo-Thomas was particularly highlighted for her exceptional accomplishments, having led five sessions during the conference. One of her standout presentations, Empowering School Leaders: Effective Strategies for Emergent Bilingual Students, provided participants with research-based instructional practices tailored to the needs of Emergent Bilingual (EB) students.
In another session, Leadership Dispositions and Systemic Factors in NC Schools, Dr. Ouedraogo-Thomas explored the readiness of educational leaders to support equity in alignment with North Carolina’s educational policies. These sessions underscored her extensive research and contributions to addressing inequities in the state’s education system.
Dr. Maxwell and Dr. Ouedraogo-Thomas also jointly presented The Equity Ambassador Initiative: Building Collective Capacity for System Change, which emphasized the transformative impact of Equity Ambassadors in creating inclusive school cultures. The session featured engaging stories from ambassadors, including Lori Farrington of Virtual Academy. Their insights demonstrated the power of collective action in achieving equity across schools.
Furthermore, Dr. Maxwell and Dr. Ouedraogo-Thomas introduced attendees to the district’s Equity Blueprint, a comprehensive guide co-created with educators and community partners, designed to embed equity-focused decision-making at all levels. Dr. Barbara Knapper-Bolden of West Forsyth High School presented Considering Leadership Styles to Promote Equity.
In addition to these remarkable presentations, Pre-K Coordinator Lesa King Bullins led a critical session on enhancing equity in Pre-K education. Her work in collaboration with Smart Start and PreK Priority provided insights into disparities in early childhood education and practical strategies for fostering equity in Pre-K settings.
The sessions presented at the conference underscore WS/FCS's unwavering commitment to advancing equity in education, with a clear focus on actionable strategies to support students of all backgrounds, from early childhood through high school.
One of the conference's highlights was a keynote address by Sal Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy, who discussed the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Khan acknowledged the risks of AI, including cheating and misinformation, but emphasized the need for a balanced approach.
"We shouldn’t ignore these risks," he said. "But we should turn them into features, mitigate them, and lean into this technology if it can help students and teachers."
Khan called for "educated bravery" in embracing AI as a tool to promote equity and ensure that all students, regardless of background, can succeed. He stressed that AI should complement teachers, not replace them.
"If I had to choose between an amazing teacher with no technology or amazing technology with no teacher, I’d pick the amazing teacher every time," Khan said.
Khan's vision for the future of AI in education is one that merges technological innovation with the irreplaceable value of human connection. He believes that AI, when used thoughtfully, can free up educators' time for building deeper relationships with students while enhancing personalized learning.
"AI can improve human intelligence and human purpose," Khan said, stressing that AI should be harnessed to amplify equity and provide students with the tools they need to thrive in today’s fast-changing world.
Submitted by Dr. Mark Maxwell, Lead Equity Coach
