Читать книгу Leading Equity - Sheldon L. Eakins - Страница 12

The idea of writing a book was a dream of mine, and the opportunity to publish this book came right at a time when I was dealing with personal challenges in my life. I could not have accomplished this goal without the support and prayers from Dr. Sawsan Jaber, Dr. LaWanda Wesley, Dr. Josue Falaise, Dr. Naima Duncan, Mr. Joe Truss, Ms. Mona Elleithee, Ms. Sandra Clough, Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, and Mr. Alex Horton. You are all influential people in my life. Thank you for allowing me to be vulnerable with you and lifting my spirits.

To my Leading Equity Center team, Sara Price, Popsy Kanagaratnam, Darlene Reyes, and Margaret Harris-Shoates, thank you for believing in me and Leading Equity. Sara, I can't thank you enough for helping me stay organized and editing my transcripts. Popsy, you have been with me since the very beginning, and your work with the Weekend Voice is priceless. Margaret, you are one of the most creative individuals I know. Thank you for all of the resources that you have designed for me. Darlene, you have done a phenomenal job working with our student affinity groups. I know that you will continue to do great things. Without the support of the Leading Equity Center (LEC) team, this book would not have been written. Thank you all for your roles in supporting this work and easing my writing stress while maintaining the LEC.

Furthermore, I would like to thank the students and staff at the Shoshone-Bannock Jr./Sr. High School. I learned so much from my time working with you. Thank you for embracing me and making me feel like a member of your community. The generosity and fellowship humble me. I truly believe the motto “We are a small school…but a big family.”

I would be remiss if I did not mention Ms. Jenny Magiera and the rest of the OVA family for the continued support of the Leading Equity Center. My experience in Chicago helped me develop the storytelling skills that have allowed me to confidently speak on stage and ultimately share my stories throughout this book.

I am thankful for the conversations I have had with Principal Kafele, Ken Shelton, Dee Lanier, Ron Madison, Jeff Gargas, and Jorge Valenzuela. I consider all of you as brothers and appreciate your perspectives of education that have inspired many of my thoughts for this book.

Writing is not my favorite thing, as I tend to write as I talk. It's often hard for me to translate my thoughts into readable content. That's why I always say that I podcast for a reason. I want to thank Tom Dinse for your honest feedback and editing of this book. I also thank Dr. Joel Boyce for your editing services.

To Amy Fandrei and the rest of the Jossey-Bass/Wiley team, thank you for believing in this work.

Finally, I want to thank my family. To my parents, Dr. Lewis Eakins and Ms. Denese Eakins. Thank you for your faith, prayers, and guidance. To my sister, Colleen, and my brother, Justin, thank you for being the best siblings anyone could ask for. To my two children, Laila and Sheldon Jr., thank you for never complaining when I had to write, for your patience, and for being the most amazing kids. Daddy loves you.