S02E11 - A Conversation with Bellevue School District Leader | Shomari Jones

Build Momentum for Education - K-12 Superintendent Series

In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Shomari Jones. Shomari currently serves as the Director of Equity and Strategic Engagement for the Bellevue School District in Washington state. During his nearly eight-year tenure at Bellevue, Shomari has developed a multitude of initiatives aimed at closing achievement gaps, such as empowering students to advise district leaders on bias in the history curriculum and educating teachers about how to recognize and address their own unacknowledged prejudices.

Shamari was recently recognized as an Education Week Leader to Learn From. He also hosts a podcast together with Dr. Paul Sutton called “Coffee with a Little Bit of Cream”.
Some Questions I Ask:

• What can you tell us about your school district and its diversity? (2:16)
• Please describe The BOOM Experience and other student-led programs that are being replicated elsewhere. (4:33)
• How are you working with other districts to help with this replication? (9:36)
• In terms of the tipping point in equity and evaluating systemic racism, where do you think we are today? (16:07)
• If you were going to offer advice, what would you suggest communities do? What can we as parents do? How can we support and get behind this cause? (20:12)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• What school diversity looks like in Shomari’s district (2:23)
• About The BOOM Experience and other student-led programs (4:48)
• What challenges he’s encountered in replicating and implementing programs to close the achievement gap (9:42)
• Shomari’s stand on equity and his evaluation of systemic racism (16:25)
• Tips for getting behind the cause (20:30)

Quotes:

“I would say we struggle just a little bit with regard to appropriately serving each and every student … so they have a sense of belonging or feeling that this place is fit for me. And so part of the work that I do is ensuring that we are leveling the playing field and providing opportunities equitably.”
“Between students, families, and staff, I think it is our obligation to make sure everyone feels like they have a sense of belonging. And, unfortunately, the way of doing that is to develop a program, instead of it being integrated into the system and transforming the environment.”
“I work separately with some of our school districts, especially within our region and the state, to help bolster ideas that they have on the creation of systems and supports that will best serve their students. And that works really well.”
“For better or for worse, equity has become very trendy. I don't know what the catalyst was that launched this trendy effort. But there is a huge exposure to the gaps that exist in our country, in our economy, and in our society—in particular in our districts and education system. I think that movement has begun to climb. And you would think that it would continue to climb after some of our real recent events.”

Connect with Shomari Jones:
Coffee with a Little Bit of Cream Podcast
Shomari Jones' LinkedIn

Stay in touch with Sarah Williamson:
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SWPR GROUP Website
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Stay in touch with Chad Bolser:
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About "The Secret to Transformational Leadership," which Sarah co-authored with Dr. Quintin Shepherd:
Transformational Leadership Secret website
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