{"id":2316,"date":"2021-04-21T19:49:36","date_gmt":"2021-04-21T19:49:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/?p=2316"},"modified":"2022-09-27T14:43:33","modified_gmt":"2022-09-27T14:43:33","slug":"april-network-spotlight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/april-network-spotlight\/","title":{"rendered":"April Network Spotlight"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id='av_section_1'  class='avia-section main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-bg-style-scroll  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-first  inner-heading-area  container_wrap fullsize' style='background-color: #222222;background-image: linear-gradient(to right,#222222,#00aeef); '  ><div class='container' ><main  role=\"main\" itemprop=\"mainContentOfPage\"  class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-2316'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ketvxyew-fd2803b4eb1c14056cc10c0b4eaa89a1\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-ketvxyew-fd2803b4eb1c14056cc10c0b4eaa89a1 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:20px;\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n\n@media only screen and (min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px){ \n#top .av_textblock_section.av-ketvxyew-fd2803b4eb1c14056cc10c0b4eaa89a1 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:20px;\n}\n}\n\n@media only screen and (max-width: 479px){ \n#top .av_textblock_section.av-ketvxyew-fd2803b4eb1c14056cc10c0b4eaa89a1 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:18px;\n}\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ketvxyew-fd2803b4eb1c14056cc10c0b4eaa89a1 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock inner-landing-text av_inherit_color'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h2>April Network Spotlight<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<\/div><\/div><\/main><!-- close content main element --><\/div><\/div><div id='after_section_1'  class='main_color av_default_container_wrap container_wrap fullsize' style=' '  ><div class='container' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-2316'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-knrv7egm-5d9512aa4198ad1b503c08df8ab22e11\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-knrv7egm-5d9512aa4198ad1b503c08df8ab22e11 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:20px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-knrv7egm-5d9512aa4198ad1b503c08df8ab22e11 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Our Defining US network of educators are providing much needed clarity for unity, healing, and hope in our nation. These experts, a part of America\u2019s classroom, an inclusive community classroom without walls, are leading the way for all of us to listen, learn, and act. We proudly share the most recent work and accomplishments of these important voices that are educating our hearts and our minds for a better tomorrow.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_one_half-79ff81c021393065cee878051452f6a6\">\n.flex_column.av-av_one_half-79ff81c021393065cee878051452f6a6{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-av_one_half-79ff81c021393065cee878051452f6a6 av_one_half  avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_one_half  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  column-top-margin'     ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-knrv741d-db647c98a219151d51cb7f19720dfb36\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-knrv741d-db647c98a219151d51cb7f19720dfb36{\npadding-bottom:25px;\ncolor:#222222;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-knrv741d-db647c98a219151d51cb7f19720dfb36 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-knrv741d-db647c98a219151d51cb7f19720dfb36 .special-heading-inner-border{\nborder-color:#222222;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-knrv741d-db647c98a219151d51cb7f19720dfb36 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-knrv741d-db647c98a219151d51cb7f19720dfb36 av-special-heading-h2 custom-color-heading  avia-builder-el-4  el_before_av_image  avia-builder-el-first  no-uppercase basic-title'><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag'  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Bennett Lieberman<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-knrv7ppo-074c6e48e0df2df01069a70c17258349\">\n.avia-image-container.av-knrv7ppo-074c6e48e0df2df01069a70c17258349 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-knrv7ppo-074c6e48e0df2df01069a70c17258349 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-knrv7ppo-074c6e48e0df2df01069a70c17258349 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_textblock '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-2258 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-2258 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/Bennett-2-1030x687.jpeg\" alt='' title='Bennett 2'  height=\"687\" width=\"1030\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/Bennett-2-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/Bennett-2-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/Bennett-2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/Bennett-2-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/Bennett-2-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/Bennett-2-1500x1000.jpeg 1500w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/Bennett-2-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/Bennett-2.jpeg 2001w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-knrva0kj-1e55c47b2963fd9cab95e4bb07f8ee50 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>We were already impressed with the leadership Bennett Lieberman has provided to NYC Schools <a href=\"https:\/\/www.centralparkeasths.org\/\">Central Park East High School<\/a> during his 15 year tenure. Serving primarily students of color, 81.5% eligible for Free and Reduced Lunch, CPEHS\u2019 most recent data (prior to COVID shutdowns) included a 100% graduation rate, a rating of Excellent on all 7 indicators of Framework for Great Schools (i.e., achievement, strong family-community ties, supportive) and a 97% student attendance rate.\u00a0\u00a0 Impressive indeed. But we have to say we were doubly impressed to learn of Principal Lieberman\u2019s commitment to students and families by also taking on another job as the morning site supervisor at the PS 180 Regional Enrichment Center (REC) site during the height of COVID-19. On site, Lieberman and DOE staff have provided essential care for the children of essential workers \u2013 such as firefighters, police, nurses, and employees of drug stores and grocery stores.\u00a0\u00a0 We love these meaningful supports that have been provided during such a difficult time in our nation and world. Please see the interview with Principal Lieberman about this support initiative at <a href=\"https:\/\/morningbellnyc.com\/2020\/small-victories-are-going-to-get-us-through\/\">The Morning Bell<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_one_half-49f6e875884219cf77c24341e550af53\">\n.flex_column.av-av_one_half-49f6e875884219cf77c24341e550af53{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-av_one_half-49f6e875884219cf77c24341e550af53 av_one_half  avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_one_half  el_before_av_one_half  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  column-top-margin'     ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-knrv7yrz-96afe3ae2215426e6b201c7fa4ada516\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-knrv7yrz-96afe3ae2215426e6b201c7fa4ada516{\npadding-bottom:25px;\ncolor:#222222;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-knrv7yrz-96afe3ae2215426e6b201c7fa4ada516 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-knrv7yrz-96afe3ae2215426e6b201c7fa4ada516 .special-heading-inner-border{\nborder-color:#222222;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-knrv7yrz-96afe3ae2215426e6b201c7fa4ada516 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-knrv7yrz-96afe3ae2215426e6b201c7fa4ada516 av-special-heading-h2 custom-color-heading  avia-builder-el-8  el_before_av_image  avia-builder-el-first  no-uppercase basic-title'><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag'  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Kenyatte Reid<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-knrv86ct-3ee7736b0b051f871c346ca53034fd78\">\n.avia-image-container.av-knrv86ct-3ee7736b0b051f871c346ca53034fd78 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-knrv86ct-3ee7736b0b051f871c346ca53034fd78 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-knrv86ct-3ee7736b0b051f871c346ca53034fd78 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-9  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_textblock '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-2127 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-2127 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Reid-1030x687.jpeg\" alt='' title='Reid'  height=\"687\" width=\"1030\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Reid-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Reid-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Reid-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Reid-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Reid-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Reid-1500x1000.jpeg 1500w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Reid-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Reid.jpeg 1983w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-knrvakp9-538c0b0b5a78781ca69389061bd88d8e '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Kenyatte Reid champions the supports that benefit students in his role as the Executive Director for the NYC Department of Education\u2019s Office of Safety and Youth Development. As part of his work, he oversees the implementation of such initiatives as social emotional learning, restorative practices, anti-bullying, and discipline practice reforms. Most recently, Reid has advocated for rethinking the traditional roles of his district\u2019s school police officers (known as School Safety Agents). This advocacy includes rethinking necessary trainings School Safety Agents should have to be most effective for their work with students and the issues that may arise, but his advocacy also calls for additional social workers and counselors in schools so issues could potentially be mitigated prior to agent intervention. His holistic efforts to support students, their families and their communities are at the forefront of similar changes we see happening across the country, but it is especially impressive to see this commitment by Reid and others in our nation\u2019s largest school district.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_one_half-79ff81c021393065cee878051452f6a6\">\n.flex_column.av-av_one_half-79ff81c021393065cee878051452f6a6{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-av_one_half-79ff81c021393065cee878051452f6a6 av_one_half  avia-builder-el-11  el_after_av_one_half  el_before_av_one_half  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  column-top-margin'     ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-knrv8fc0-d646cd85dc655710906707562b01453c\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-knrv8fc0-d646cd85dc655710906707562b01453c{\npadding-bottom:25px;\ncolor:#222222;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-knrv8fc0-d646cd85dc655710906707562b01453c .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-knrv8fc0-d646cd85dc655710906707562b01453c .special-heading-inner-border{\nborder-color:#222222;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-knrv8fc0-d646cd85dc655710906707562b01453c .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-knrv8fc0-d646cd85dc655710906707562b01453c av-special-heading-h2 custom-color-heading  avia-builder-el-12  el_before_av_image  avia-builder-el-first  no-uppercase basic-title'><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag'  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Dr. Patrick Jean-Pierre<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-knrv8npc-a6d9c8bd373ec312f7bfef9630930377\">\n.avia-image-container.av-knrv8npc-a6d9c8bd373ec312f7bfef9630930377 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-knrv8npc-a6d9c8bd373ec312f7bfef9630930377 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-knrv8npc-a6d9c8bd373ec312f7bfef9630930377 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-13  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_textblock '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-2136 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-2136 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/patrick-1030x687.jpeg\" alt='' title='patrick'  height=\"687\" width=\"1030\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/patrick-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/patrick-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/patrick-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/patrick-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/patrick-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/patrick-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/patrick-1500x1000.jpeg 1500w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/patrick-705x470.jpeg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-knrvavj7-ff1802dafe979e24256eb5a949fe8bcb '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Dr. Pierre, whose career spans both the pre-k through 12 and higher ed spectrum, serves as the\u00a0Director for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Schenectady City School District in Schenectady, New York.\u00a0 His work has focused on providing supports for vulnerable students and the adults who work with them. Looking at systems-wide change within his current role, the district created an anti-racism task force and anti-racism leadership team to look at why their systems were not working for the students they served. One innovative measure included dismantling building leadership teams, \u201cWe revamped them, made sure they were all diverse in terms of not only position, but also identity. And then we aligned them to all the different committees we did within each building to ensure coherence. And then we trained everyone on having an anti-racism lens. So now those groups across the district meet monthly to talk about not only key issues that are happening nationally, but then connecting that to how it&#8217;s impacting our work within the district.\u201d Forward thinking approach Dr. Pierre!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_one_half-49f6e875884219cf77c24341e550af53\">\n.flex_column.av-av_one_half-49f6e875884219cf77c24341e550af53{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-av_one_half-49f6e875884219cf77c24341e550af53 av_one_half  avia-builder-el-15  el_after_av_one_half  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  column-top-margin'     ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-knrv8vrl-8eee4b11bd613c7e13eaa8b03fa7fdc2\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-knrv8vrl-8eee4b11bd613c7e13eaa8b03fa7fdc2{\npadding-bottom:25px;\ncolor:#222222;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-knrv8vrl-8eee4b11bd613c7e13eaa8b03fa7fdc2 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-knrv8vrl-8eee4b11bd613c7e13eaa8b03fa7fdc2 .special-heading-inner-border{\nborder-color:#222222;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-knrv8vrl-8eee4b11bd613c7e13eaa8b03fa7fdc2 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-knrv8vrl-8eee4b11bd613c7e13eaa8b03fa7fdc2 av-special-heading-h2 custom-color-heading  avia-builder-el-16  el_before_av_image  avia-builder-el-first  no-uppercase basic-title'><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag'  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Lydia Acosta Stephens<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-knrv9v70-2974d42ac7de6d70fe96d4fbd4e2fe10\">\n.avia-image-container.av-knrv9v70-2974d42ac7de6d70fe96d4fbd4e2fe10 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-knrv9v70-2974d42ac7de6d70fe96d4fbd4e2fe10 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-knrv9v70-2974d42ac7de6d70fe96d4fbd4e2fe10 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-17  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_textblock '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-2244 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-2244 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/Lydia-Acosta-Stephens-1030x687.jpeg\" alt='' title='Lydia Acosta Stephens'  height=\"687\" width=\"1030\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/Lydia-Acosta-Stephens-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/Lydia-Acosta-Stephens-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/Lydia-Acosta-Stephens-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/Lydia-Acosta-Stephens-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/Lydia-Acosta-Stephens-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/Lydia-Acosta-Stephens-1500x1000.jpeg 1500w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/Lydia-Acosta-Stephens-705x470.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/Lydia-Acosta-Stephens.jpeg 1827w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-knrvbd2f-f995fc2fbb3ad150a1977e448e8add61 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Finally, we must highlight the important message from Lydia Acosta Stephens, Executive Director of Multilingual and Multicultural Education Department (MMED) at one of our network districts, <a href=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/network\/\">LA Unified<\/a>. In her posted message (link in the heading), Stephens lists several guiding principles for the work she oversees, including asset-based education and sociocultural competence. MMED \u201cmeets the needs of our diverse learners by looking at the whole child; an instructional approach that recognizes and personalizes the needs of our learners. By understanding and appreciating their assets, language and culture, we support teachers and students in creating learning environments that actively integrate student interests and needs at the center. The whole child approach engages and motivates students, developing life-long skills and building upon them for future success.\u201d After reading Stephens\u2019 vision for her department that serves over 200,000 students, we encourage you to scroll to the bottom of the page and listen to her reading of her personal <em>Where I\u2019m From<\/em> poem. Her reflections are a great reminder that our students also are not one-dimensional and the richness of their identities, cultures, and experiences are gifts we should recognize and celebrate everyday.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Featuring Bennett Lieberman, Kenyatte Reid, Dr. Patrick Jean-Pierre, and Lydia Acosta Stephens.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":2094,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2316","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>April Network Spotlight - 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