Leadership magazine Nov/Dec 2014 V 44 No 2 | Page 36

decision that does not reflect the vision of Every decision that is made must tially uncomfortable as they step into their
their district to ensure the promise that all
students’ world and understand that at times
ask the question: “Does this
students will learn and achieve. Being a culthere is discomfort in order to grow. Leadturally competent leader will guarantee that
ers must be courageous in being advocates
match and support the multi- for those who have no voice and allow them
you have difficult and courageous conversations to address the deficit mindset.
cultural vision of our district?” to feel accepted in the classroom. Visit the
Culturally competent leaders must adarea you serve and talk to the folks who live
dress statements such as, “These students don’t come with any lanaround your school. If you are courageous enough, get a bus and
guage,” or “Those students aren’t motivated to learn.” If statements
take your teachers around so they can see the positive aspects of the
such as these make us feel uncomfortable, then how does a child feel
community they serve. n
in that classroom? It is our obligation to guide our fellow educators
References
toward an asset-building mindset, along with an appreciation and
Muhammad, A. & Hollie, S. (2011). The Will to Lead, The Skill to
understanding of the cultures of the students they teach.
Teach. Solution Tree Press.
Leaders need to set up a collaborative structure where all stakePeterson, K. (2002). Positive or negative? Journal of Staff Developholders embrace and communicate the vision of “all.” Every deciment. Summer. Vol. 23, no. 3.
sion that is made must ask the question: “Does this match and supSheppard, B.; Brown, J. & Dibbon, D. (2009). School District Leaderport the multicultural vision of our district?”
ship Matters. Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
Experience discomfort in order to grow
Yosso, T.J. (2005). “Whose Culture Has Capital? A Critical Race
Cultural competency has to be integral in the vision of a school’s
Theory Discussion of Community Cultural Wealth.” Race Ethsuccess because it needs to embody the idea that all students can
nicity and Education, 8(1), 69-91.
learn. As we check our own biases, we must be open-minded and see
the assets that our students bring to school – and be willing to accept
them, value them and allow them to flourish in our schools.
Mariann Engle is superintendent, Mount Pleasant Elementary School District.
Both teachers and administrators have to be willing to be iniJose V. Gonzalez is principal, Mount Pleasant Elementary STEAM Academy.

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Leadership