Thank you for making our 2020 graduation a success! We’re grateful to all of those who endured the heat, rain, and all of the uncertainty to make this ceremony possible. This photograph is one of my favorite pictures from Wylie High School’s graduation ceremony. Kneeling beside me in cap and gown is Wylie High School student leader and one of my favorite kids, Uzo Ogbanufe. Uzo led our campus and district leadership in solidarity to honor those facing racial inequality within this country. I’m grateful for Uzo and those like her who are using their voices and platforms to enact change. As educators, our mission in Wylie ISD to inspire more students to be like Uzo.  Moments like these are great reminders that hearing every student’s voice and listening to what they have to say is one of our most important roles.   

Each day you trust us with your children, and we have a responsibility to provide them with the best education possible. Every child. Every classroom. Every campus. Every day. I take this mission personally. In social and emotional learning (SEL), we are challenged to be self-aware. My wife Cristy would probably say that I’m not the most self-aware person you’d ever meet. However, I want to hear from those who have a better understanding to gain a better perspective. I want to listen, learn and grow in understanding, kindness, and self-awareness. I invite you to join me. 

STRATEGIC EQUITY PLAN

As we develop our Strategic Equity Plan, we must rely on our diverse community members to share their personal experiences and to help us build an effective plan. We are listening to you, and we know that there is much to be done. This process will take time, but we are committed to working together to make systemic changes to address inequities. During the planning process, we will continue to seek your input. 

The purpose of this Strategic Equity Plan is to actively provide students and staff with an environment free from discrimination and/or harassment based on of their race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or any other basis prohibited by law under Wylie ISD School Board Policy FFH(Local).

We have taken the feedback we’ve received from every email, direct message, and/or conversation to give us a framework to move forward. This Strategic Equity Plan is the next phase in continuing our efforts to educate the whole child, without bias and part of the journey that we have been on since I arrived in Wylie ISD. 

Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion

The first step is the creation of a Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion position within the district. We recognize that we need someone with a laser focus to pinpoint how to address these issues properly. This person will lead our district team. This position will also assist in conducting investigations of reported offenses. If you know someone with education experience, encourage them to click the link below and apply online.

Apply Online

Diversity and Inclusion Training

Diversity and inclusion training will be required for all staff prior to the start of the 2020-21 school year. Wylie ISD is committed to:

• • Bringing in experts in the field of diversity and inclusion to speak to our district
  • Using best practices from across the country and molding them to meet Wylie’s needs

District and Campus Diversity and Inclusion Teams

We will create teams to address issues of equity at the district and campus levels.

• • District Teams will include district leadership, teachers, parent/guardian volunteers, alumni, and student representatives at the high school level.
  • Campus Teams will include campus leadership, teachers, community/parent volunteers, and student representatives.

Both the district and campus teams are responsible for evaluating current practices and procedures under the leadership of our Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion. Current practices and procedures may include but are not limited to:

• • Addressing issues of access to resources
  • Distributing educational materials
  • Reviewing data associated with diversity and equity
  • Reviewing standard reporting protocols

Diversity and Inclusion Curriculum

Social-Emotional Learning and Wylie Way content will be focused on diversity and inclusion at an age-appropriate level. Companion information will be made available for parents and guardians to continue these conversations at home with their children. 

1. • SEL Information: https://www.wylieisd.net/Page/14349
   • Wylie Way information: https://www.wylieisd.net/domain/45

Survey

We want to hear from you! Please complete this survey to give us your feedback. Once we have the results, our Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion will use your feedback to establish the campus and district teams.

Strategic Equity Plan Survey

In Wylie ISD, we believe in a message of hope. Tomorrow can be better than today and together, we have the power to make it so. We look forward to becoming more aware of ourselves and others as we grow hopeful kids.