Highlights of the Work
Monroe Equity Community is thrilled to have welcomed Erin Jones to our January 11th, 2023 Community Meeting.
Erin Jones has been involved in and around schools for the past 26 years. She has taught in a variety of environments, from predominantly Black to predominantly White to some of the most diverse communities in the nation. Erin received an award as the Most Innovative Foreign Language Teacher in 2007, while working in Tacoma, WA, and was the Washington State Milken Educator of the Year in 2008, while teaching in Spokane. She received recognition at the White House in March of 2013 as a “Champion of Change” and was Washington State PTA’s “Outstanding Educator” in 2015. After serving as a classroom teacher and instructional coach, Erin worked as an executive for two State Superintendents. Erin left the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2012 to work in college access at the school district level. She left her job to run as a candidate for State Superintendent and was the first Black woman to run for any state office in Washington state, a race she lost by a mere 1%.
You may know her as @ afroeducator on TikTok, her work with the Equity Institute or have seen one of her Ted Talks (links below):
Ted Talk: https://youtu.be/HQ7xY60a6z4
Ted Talk: https://youtu.be/hFc9axy2ktQ
On December 1, 2021 the Monroe Equity Council hosted a panel of current and former Monroe School District families to discuss the ongoing racism in Monroe schools.
We extend profound gratitude to the families who participated. They have experienced deep harm and pain and yet they showed up to continue to work to build a safe, inclusive, and anti-racist community not just for their kids but for all kids.
If you missed the meeting please take the time to listen.
What we heard was heartbreaking. How we respond will define us a community.
