Paducah Independent schools are using Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for all students and staff. One of the projects the district has worked on is the creation of a Student Equity Advisory Council at Paducah Tilghman High School, shown here during a student forum. The student-run council was created to advocate for fostering inclusivity for all demographics.
Submitted photo
Paducah Independent schools are using Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for all students and staff.
ESSER funding was part of the federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act. The federal funding supports the safe and sustained return to in-person learning and expands equity by supporting students who need it most, particularly those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Paducah hired Shonda Hollowell-Burrus as the district’s first chief equity officer.
Hollowell-Burrus, previously the assistant principal/dean of students for Paducah Tilghman High School, said her new role allows her to partner with schools to ensure equitable practices exist in the daily operating culture and climate, including curriculum, instruction, school culture, professional development and hiring.
“It is vital to have intentional positive relationships with building leaders,” said Hollowell-Burrus, to ensure they “are being supported and all students and staff feel supported and validated.”
Paducah Independent also used ESSER funding to hire Roger Cleveland of Millennium Learning Concepts as a consultant. Cleveland, who also is a professor at Eastern Kentucky University, gave the district recommendations for how they could better foster diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
“We have really appreciated his help. He’s helped us to identify our needs as a district and to figure out a plan for improvement,” said Assistant Superintendent Will Black.
One specific implementation of Cleveland’s consulting to encourage diversity was the creation of the Student Equity Advisory Council at Paducah Tilghman High School. The student-run council was created to advocate for fostering inclusivity for all demographics, and its student leaders hosts forums for students, teachers, families and the whole community.
“It’s so inspiring to me to work directly with the students and to see how student voice can really drive the work,” Black said. “Student voice is one of the most powerful tools to drive our equity work.”
Along with skills in diversity and inclusion, students participating on the leadership team learn empathy, public speaking, communication and project planning.
In addition to the council, all district staff will participate in the Equity Institute, a professional development day in August. Students will assist in leading this training.
Hollowell-Burrus says the district will continue providing support, training and services to students, teachers, families and the community to ensure equity in the future.
“In the end, our goal in this work is to meet the needs of each and every student in our district. This is about understanding every student’s needs and creating a sense of belonging for every student,” Black said.
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