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Acknowledgments

From Alan

This book was born out of a sense of urgency. My co-author, Marcus Newsome, and I set about describing a challenging district formerly bereft of resources and plagued by more than a decade of corresponding results: failure to ever meet full accreditation. The crises that were tackled here in many ways became the norm for our nation and the world as COVID-19 and, soon after, civil unrest dominated the world landscape.

Bringing together the stories and lessons of courageous and breakthrough leadership became a group effort. This began with Marcus Newsome, followed by the extraordinary dedication of the Corwin team beginning with Monica Eckman and Dan Alpert whose moral courage and vision propelled this book forward in rapid response to the pressing needs to address immediate crisis while also redressing inequities in our educational communities and beyond. Lauren Mahan, Lucas Schleicher, Maura Sullivan, and Elena Nikitina likewise modeled a “whatever it takes” attitude and actions needed to get this work quickly into the hands of educators grappling with crisis never before experienced. Amy Schroller led our work through the production process with attentiveness and dedication.

Leadership begins at the top, and the SAGE organization has been endowed with “old school” classic leaders, the likes of which one rarely sees these days. Sara Miller McCune, David McCune, and Blaise Simqu are of a moral fiber and steadfastness in their beliefs and actions that is unparalleled in educational publishing if not in any corporate setting. Without their support and that of Michael Soules, president of Corwin Press, publishing such works as this book would be nearly impossible in today’s landscape.

The rest of the “village” that made this book possible included many frontline practitioners and thought leaders who are blazing a trail for equity out of the rubble of the crisis that COVID-19 has dealt school communities. Their courageous leadership, perseverance, and adaptability are laudable, and their willingness to share their time and expertise was vital to this work. We are also grateful to the following individuals who contributed their expertise to this endeavor: Margo Gottlieb, Dwayne Williams.

This book is dedicated to the “home” team that provided tremendous support, patience, love, and plenty of challenges too—all informing and allowing for this work to go forward:

My wife, Hourieh, who has been both loving soul mate and steadfast and patient partner throughout some ups and many downs in this period;

Ava Blankstein, my youngest little girl of eight years old whose compassion, wisdom, courage, and joy are a blessing and inspiration;

Sarah Blankstein, whose prodigal return to our home has been a blessing, enlightenment, and inspiration for this work, and whose own resilience and light shines brighter each day; and

Nancy Shin, who has been my trusted and unwavering friend, associate, and ally for thirty years influencing future generations in many ways, including as proud and beloved “nana” to Ava and Sarah.

From Marcus

The Lord God is the author and finisher of my faith, and the one to whom I am thankful for giving my life and work purpose and meaning. My grandmother, Tempie Holloman, who was a sharecropper, matriarch, and compass for our family, taught me to love everyone, never to speak negatively about others, and to serve humanity with charity, generosity, benevolence, empathy, civility, and humility. I acknowledge my mother and father, Essie and Henian Newsome, for their unconditional love, encouragement, and sacrifice, taking their four children from a home on a dirt road in rural North Carolina to opportunities to see the world. My siblings Dr. Edward Newsome Jr., Dr. Douglas Newsome, and Shelia (Newsome) Boyd and their families are constant cheerleaders. My college sweetheart and wife, Patsy, has been a rock of support, encouragement, and inspiration, and loving mother to our three beautiful children, Lynnell (husband TJ), Marcus Jr., and Phillip (wife Amanda).

I have been motivated and uplifted by countless dedicated educators and colleagues with whom I’ve worked in school districts in the District of Columbia, Prince George’s County, Newport News City, Chesterfield County, and Petersburg City. I am indebted to principals Ellsworth Mitchell and Dr. Ralph Neil, who served as role models early in my teaching career, and Veolia Jackson, who pushed me out of my comfort zone to pursue leadership experiences, and Dr. Jerome Clarke and Dr. Iris Metts, who were superintendent role models. My friend and mentor Dr. Billy Cannaday, former state superintendent, has been an amazing role model. I am also grateful to the Virginia Association of School Superintendents for their ongoing support.

I am moved by my co-author, Alan Blankstein, for his friendship and belief in me, and Lauren Mahan, who has been an amazing contributor to this book. Finally, I thank the Corwin publishing team, and especially Dan Alpert, who is an incredible editor and person.

Publisher’s Acknowledgments

Corwin gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the following reviewers:

 Rosa AtkinsSuperintendentCharlottesville City SchoolsCharlottesville, VA

 Cyndee BlountPrincipalAcquinton Elementary SchoolKing William, VA

 Luvelle BrownSuperintendentIthaca City School DistrictIthaca, NY

 Michael CasserlyStrategic AdvisorCouncil of the Great City Schools

 Dallas DanceChief Executive OfficerThe DDance Group Inc.

 Dan DomenechExecutive DirectorAmerican Association of School Administrators

 Susan EnfieldSuperintendentHighline Public SchoolsHighline, WA

 Michael FullanProfessor Emeritus, University of TorontoAuthor, Coherence and NuanceToronto, ON, Canada

 Monica George-FieldsPresident and Chief Executive OfficerREACHNew York, NY

 Avis GlazeFounder and Chief Executive OfficerEdu-Quest International Inc.

 Amy GriffinSuperintendentCumberland County Public SchoolsCumberland, VA

 Zaretta HammondAuthor, Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students

 Maria Alcon HerauxKIPP Foundation

 William HiteSuperintendentThe School District of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA

 Matt HurtDirectorComprehensive Instructional Program, Virginia

 Scott JeffriesSuperintendentWythe County Public SchoolsWytheville, VA

 Dena KeelingChief Equity OfficerOrange County Schools, North Carolina

 John MalloyToronto District School BoardToronto, ON, Canada

 Jay McTigheJay McTighe and Associates

 Eric MooreSenior Accountability Research and Equity OfficerMinneapolis Public SchoolsMinneapolis, MN

 Pedro NogueraDeanUniversity of Southern CaliforniaRossier School of EducationLos Angeles, CA

 David OsherVice President and Institute FellowAmerican Institutes for ResearchWashington, DC

 Katrise PereraSuperintendentGresham-Barlow School DistrictGresham, OR

 Paul RevilleFrancis Keppel Professor of Practice of Educational Policy and AdministrationHarvard UniversityGraduate School of EducationCambridge, MA

 James SchwartzLead Leadership CoachNetwork for College SuccessThe University of ChicagoSchool of Social Service AdministrationChicago, IL

 Nancy ShinExecutive Director (retired)HOPE Foundation

 Dennis ShirleyProfessor of EducationLynch School of EducationBoston CollegeBoston, MA

 Aaron SpenceSuperintendentVirginia Beach City Public SchoolsVirginia Beach, VA

 Susan SzachowiczSenior Fellow for the Successful Practices Network and Retired Principal of BrocktonHigh School

 Benny VásquezChief Equity OfficerKIPP

 Sharon WolderChief OfficerStudent Support ServicesBrockton Public SchoolsBrockton, MA