Changing the Course: Building An Antiracist Education

What does antiracist leadership look like in schools?

This is the main question episode 4 of Changing the Course: Building An Antiracist Education Season 2 seeks to answer as our host, Nick, is joined by guests from Gary Comer Middle School, Noble's only middle school.

From school programming to what the hallways of the school look like, Principal JuDonne Hemingway and Assistant Principal Ashley Norris of Gary Comer Middle School (GCMS) talk about the steps they have taken to create a more welcoming, inclusive, and antiracist environment for their students. They also discuss what it looks like for White school leaders and educators to show up and lead antiracist work.

In episode 3 of Changing the Course: Building An Antiracist Education Season 2, Nicholas Jones talks with George Beecham, a Noble alum and 9th-grade biology teacher at Chicago Bulls College Prep, and Norma Gutierrez, Noble Schools' Assistant Director of Student Experience. 

In this episode, we talk with Ayanna Banks and Yesenia Maldonado, leaders of student experience and social-emotional learning at Noble Schools.  

In their roles, both Banks and Maldonado have a significant impact on how Noble Schools listens to students and what they do with that knowledge. In this episode, they talk about how Noble Schools incorporates social-emotional learning into classrooms, how that learning is informed by student voice, and why it is important to building antiracist schools.

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“Changing the Course: Building An Antiracist Education” is back for season two to continue following our journey in building antiracist classrooms.

In this first episode, we talk with Jennifer Reid Davis and D Nigel Green, leaders of Noble’s Equity team. They recap our equity work up to now and talk about the things that have and have not worked at our schools and how we’re adjusting. Most of all, they hit one point over and over again: We can’t stop now. We have to keep doing the work.

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About our guests in this episode:

Jennifer Reid Davis was named the first Head of Strategy & Equity of Noble Schools this year. Previously, as Noble’s first Chief Equity Officer, she led all strategic efforts around diversity, equity, and inclusion, including defining DEI as a core value and Noble’s commitment to anti-racism. Joining Noble in 2010, she has served as a teacher and principal at two Noble schools and founded the Diverse Leaders Fellowship, a talent pathway designed to identify their diverse pipeline of emerging leaders.

Educator by title and abolitionist by purpose, D. Nigel Green continues to rely on the voice of the youth and their allies to create equitable & inclusive, engaging & effective, diverse educational communities. As Director of Equity, Inclusion, & Diversity at Noble Schools, his energy is dedicated to creating justice-aligned outcomes for students, families, and staff. His mission is to eliminate the racist policies and practices embedded in white supremacy of which we’ve all been indoctrinated. D. Nigel Green previously served as Muchin College Prep’s Assistant Principal of the Scholar Experience. He hails from Kenwood Academy (Go Broncos!), Northern Illinois University – BS, Marketing, University of Missouri-St. Louis – MEd, Special Education.

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In this episode, we talk with Lyndsay Cowles and Tierionna Pinkston -- two leaders of Noble Schools' Academics team.

Cowles and Pinkston talk about their work in supporting teachers this year through the policy changes at Noble Schools and through the pandemic. They highlight topics from what struggles they saw teachers encounter this year to the plans they are creating next year to better support teachers.

Listen or watch now to hear more about their journey leading teachers this school year.

After this episode, we will be taking a hiatus until the school year starts up again. Make sure to check back in for Season 2 in the fall!

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In this episode, we talk with Claudia Rodriguez and Ellen Moiani - two members of our Government & Community Affairs team here at Noble Schools. Claudia and Ellen have both spent years at Noble connecting with the parents and families of our students to make sure their voices are heard, both by Noble leadership and government officials. 

Listen to learn more about their work and how it is an integral part of our anti-racism commitment.

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In this episode, we talk with two leaders in the restorative justice field: Terrence Pruitt and Rev. Dr. Robert Spicer. Both Pruitt and Spicer have done extensive work with organizations and school systems across the U.S., including Noble Schools, to help them integrate restorative practices into their spaces.

Listen to learn more about Pruitt and Spicer, their work, and the knowledge and strategies that they share to help all educators who are trying to build antiracist classrooms.

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In this episode, we talk to Kelsey Taylor, the athletic director at Baker College Prep, and two student athletes at Baker.

Taylor touches on what it means to be an athletic director and how athletics play a role in creating an antiracist experience for our students. She also discusses how the changes in Noble's policies affect how students engage with athletics and other extra-curriculars at Noble.

Lastly, we hear from two student-athletes at Baker, Dashia and Christian, on how they feel about the changes and how it has changed their experience with athletics in high school.

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In this episode, we talk to Dalonte Burns, the principal of UIC College Prep, one of Noble Schools' 18 campuses. Burns speaks to his experience as a first-year principal leading anti-racism work at his school during a pandemic. He also talks about his experiences as a Noble alumnus and former paraprofessional and teacher at Noble Schools, and how his experience back then differs from now. He touches on topics from what role teachers and school staff play in providing an anti-racist education for their students to how making space for student power in the school community can create more equitable experiences.

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In this premiere episode, we talk to Dr. Janine Franklin, the Senior Director of Student Support and Culture here at Noble Schools. Dr. J talks about her role in managing student behavior at our schools and how Noble has shifted their discipline policies to provide a more equitable and antiracist experience for our students. She highlights many different strategies such as restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and tracking behavioral data.

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