Twelve months ago, when the COVID-19 virus was just emerging, none of us could imagine where we would be today: school systems still navigating how to re-open and stay open, communities still struggling to ensure residents have basic necessities.
Where will we be twelve months from now? With growing vaccine availability and promise of recovery funding, there are real reasons to hope we can get back to normal life. But returning to normal shouldn’t be our aspiration.
“Normal” K-12 education wasn’t working for millions of Black and Latinx students, and other children from low-income communities. Data continue to reveal that the pandemic has impacted these students’ learning disproportionately – all while these students are more likely to have faced personal trauma and loss. Simply put: returning to what once was is not good enough; we must disrupt existing systems and create a more equitable future.
The next year presents a clear opportunity for systemic change – and adaptive, inclusive, and data-driven leaders will be critical to realizing the promise of transformation. EP has proudly recruited 4,500 equity-oriented leaders over the past 18 years, and we’re proud to support 24 COVID Response Fellows and 23 Impact Fellows who are currently helping navigate today’s ongoing crisis. We’re ready to find the next cohort of critical thinkers and problem solvers who can accelerate recovery next school year.
Applications are now open for the 2021 Impact Fellowship. In response to the urgency of our context, EP will scale up the Impact Fellowship – recruiting and developing 40+ diverse data analysts and strategic project managers to serve the education sector during the 2021-2022 academic year. New Impact Fellows will serve 10-month placements at school districts, charter networks, and other education organizations while also participating in a nationwide cohort for learning and connection. Read the press release.
Advancing educational equity must be our collective pursuit. As Secretary of Education nominee Dr. Miguel Cardona recently stated, “Our nation’s education challenges didn’t begin with the pandemic, but it has exacerbated inequities in our educational system. These inequities will endure, and prevent the potential of this great country, unless tackled head on.”
Our search starts now for emerging leaders who are interested in tackling inequity and being part of what’s next in education. Will you help us?
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