Earlier this month, Atlanta Public Schools (APS) recognized its fourth cohort of APS Equity Champions, a group of committed and dedicated district leaders, staff, schools, and departments who demonstrate equity in action and ensure that every child’s educational needs are met.
As part of its annual celebration, the Office of Equity + Social Justice honored the 2024 Equity Champions with a special reception at the Alonzo A. Crim Center for Learning and Leadership. Out of over 100 nominations, ten individuals, three schools, and four departments were selected for their work to advance educational equity for all scholars.
Each recipient was selected based on qualities that include:
- Championing a culture of belonging and inclusion.
- Having conversations with students and staff about issues of social justice.
- Amplifying diverse voices by cultivating self-love, appreciation, and respect for others.
- Modeling asset-based views of diversity by acting with cultural competence in interactions, decision-making, and practice.
- Practicing critical self-reflection about identity, beliefs, and biases.
During the event, Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson, Erica Long, Chief of Student Experience, and Atlanta Board of Education member Cynthia Briscoe-Brown provided remarks, while music selections were performed by student disc jockeys from South Atlanta High School and the Springdale Park Elementary School Chorus.
Long congratulated the Equity Champions and praised them for embodying the district’s equity commitments.
“Whether you are a teacher, administrator, school counselor, coordinator, or school-based employee, you are all champions, and we are grateful for your commitment to advancing educational equity in Atlanta Public Schools and ensuring that all students have the resources and supports they need to thrive and succeed,” Long told the honorees. “This is heart work and consistently reaffirms our commitment and dedication to making APS a more equitable school system. Each of you are true advocates for our students, families, staff, and community.”
Rashad Brown, AP African American Studies teacher at Maynard Jackson High School and a 2023 Equity Champion recipient, served as the keynote speaker. Brown shared his recent experience and hard-fought efforts in leading support for the AP African American Studies course, which successfully challenged State Superintendent Dr. Richard Woods to reinstate state funding.
In his address, Brown celebrated the power of equity in education and the courage it takes to fight for what’s right.
“It’s not just about passing a class or taking a test. It’s about what our students see, hear, and feel. It’s about the legacy of empowerment that we leave behind,” Brown said. “It’s important for our students to see activism when it matters most. When the chips are down. When the stakes are high. They need to see us standing tall, pushing back, and demanding that their right to a fair and equitable education is non-negotiable.”
Equity Champions serve one-year terms as ambassadors for advancing equity across the district, participate in equity-focused professional learning opportunities, and collaborate with the APS Office of Equity + Social Justice on key initiatives. They are awarded access to microgrants (up to $5,000) to support equity-focused conferences and workshops.
Join us in saluting the 2024 Equity Champions:
Kelli Charleston | Special Education Teacher, Carver Early College
Kelli started at APS as a paraprofessional and completed her teaching certification in January 2024. The students she serves have been diagnosed with Moderate Intellectual Disability (MOID) and autism spectrum disorders. Her students have joined robotics, sisterhood organizations, cheerleading, and sporting organizations.
Maria Grovner | Coordinator of School Counseling, Academics Division
Maria works to eliminate barriers for first-generation college students, English Language Learners, and students seeking need-based financial aid. This year, she launched a bilingual (English and Spanish) FAFSA Fiesta. She consistently identifies disparities and works relentlessly to level the playing field so every scholar has every chance to become the best version of themselves.
Tanyette Hill | John Lewis Invictus Academy Middle School
Tanyette engages her students by providing them with a voice and a choice in their learning journey. She teaches about social injustices and fosters an environment where multiple voices of various backgrounds are heard and celebrated. Self-worth and respect for others’ cultural identities are promoted in her classroom. She often sacrifices her lunch period to provide additional support for students who are struggling academically.
Dr. Tony Jones | Counselor, Crawford W. Long Middle School
One of Dr. Jones’ flagship initiatives is Project Manhood, a mentorship program for young boys, particularly those from marginalized communities. He also leads initiatives like the Black Boys Better empowerment program, STEMpathy, and the Youth Action Team, aka YAT…That’s Me Alcohol and Drug-Free Program. His efforts in school partnerships further demonstrate his unwavering commitment to equity.
Dr. Andrew Lovett | Principal, Benteen Elementary School
Dr. Lovett works with his staff to build cultural competence and responsiveness for diverse students. To facilitate staff capacity building, he invited the Office of Equity + Social Justice to the school and provided opportunities for everyone to ask questions and share their concerns. Additionally, Dr. Lovett highlighted the Ramadan holiday, and provided information to staff about practices for its religious observance.
Carla Maxberry | ESOL Teacher, Harper-Archer Elementary School
Maxberry is a teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). As a teacher, she and her scholars are a catalyst for positive change and understanding. They consistently engage students and staff in thoughtful conversations about social justice issues, encouraging empathy, respect, and critical thinking.
Dr. Tiffany Proctor | International Baccalaureate Coach, Cascade Elementary School
Dr. Proctor has inspired teachers, students, and parents to embrace transdisciplinary learning and integrate social, emotional, and academic practices into every component of the instructional day and beyond. Her efforts have led to a decrease in behavioral issues at school. Additionally, she encourages scholars to participate in extracurricular activities like Pennies for Patients, so they understand the concept of generosity and demonstrate care for others.
MacArthur Randolph | School Counselor, B.E.S.T. Academy
Randolph has championed initiatives that not only uplift the young men at B.E.S.T. Academy but also bridge gaps within the broader community. His efforts underscore a profound belief that everyone can achieve greatness through service. By sponsoring community service projects that focus on assisting the unhoused, he provides young men with an invaluable opportunity to engage with and contribute to their community.
Haydee Romero | Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Master Teacher, Bolton Academy
Haydee ensures that learning environments are equitable by teaching teachers what the best learning strategies for multilingual students. She proactively started a WhatsApp group for Spanish-speaking families based on community chats she held. She also initiated a language leaders campaign for Hispanic/Latino students who were less engaged in school activities. She publicly models a personal belief system that is grounded in equity.
Dr. Nakiesha Sinclair | Assistant Principal, Morningside Elementary School
Dr. Sinclair’s efforts have helped to nurture a positive, supportive learning environment at Morningside Elementary. She advocates for all students and goes the extra mile to make sure faculty feels supported and empowered. Dr. Sinclair has personally recruited teachers and diverse staff, and led an effort to secure funding for cultural responsiveness professional development. She inspires teachers and staff to be mindful of issues of equity and inclusion.
School Award:
Atlanta College and Career Academy
ACCA helps students graduate with credentials for high-demand technical careers. Programs include aviation maintenance, automotive collision repair, carpentry, culinary arts, cybersecurity, dental science, graphic design, HVAC and refrigeration, and infant and toddler childcare. Serving a diverse student body from various ethnic backgrounds, ACCA is committed to reflecting on personal assumptions, beliefs, and behaviors. By supporting special populations, such as students from single-parent homes and those experiencing homelessness, ACCA addresses systemic inequities head-on.
Crawford Long Middle School
Long Middle School recently welcomed a growing Hispanic/Latino population and is committed to championing equity. This commitment includes exposing students to new world experiences, expanding resources from school to home, and developing or adopting programs to support English language learners, students with disabilities, and socioeconomically disadvantaged families. The administration, teachers, and staff make all feel welcomed and supported.
Usher-Collier Elementary School
Principal Jerry Parker and his staff go out of their way daily to ensure that each student is consistently recognized by name and need. Staff members model respect for diversity and work hard to ensure equitable outcomes for students in the areas of curriculum and instruction, social-emotional learning, and extracurricular activities. Students and their families remain part of the school community for life.
Department Award:
Fine and Performing Arts Department
Equity is at the heart of the Fine & Performing Arts Department. Here, every person matters, and each person is recognized as an artist with the aid of passionate teachers who lead by example. The curriculum features relevant, contemporary artists to ensure APS’s diverse student population sees themselves reflected in their studies. Inclusion is exemplified by welcoming individuals from all backgrounds and abilities into both visual and performing arts classrooms.
Office of Early Learning
By focusing on early childhood education that integrates children from different backgrounds and abilities, the Office of Early Learning establishes a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success, addressing disparities before they become entrenched. This includes providing workshops on culturally responsive teaching and English Language Learner engagement, along with skill-building workshops in multiple languages for parents and caregivers.
Secondary ELA/Literacy Department
The Secondary English Language Arts/Literacy Department purposefully builds the capacity of others to identify and disrupt inequities in schools. They have created resources like the Culturally Responsive Literacy Guide, which draws on the work of experts, including Gloria Ladson-Billings, Geneva Gay, Zaretta Hammond, and Sharroky Hollie. The team also implemented the professional learning session Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Writing in the Literacy Classroom and created original equity-focused professional development.
South Atlanta High School SGA
The South Atlanta High School SGA actively promotes diversity by encouraging students from all backgrounds to participate in leadership roles. By fostering representation among student leaders, SGA leaders create an inclusive environment where everyone feels seen and valued, including the Moderate Intellectual Disability (MOID) population. The efforts of the South Atlanta SGA contribute to a positive school culture for all students.
Enjoy the slideshow below of the 2024 Equity Champion Celebration.
