Bring on the
brilliance.

Students shine boldest with leaders and educators who reflect them.

Students with teachers who reflect their race and ethnicity have higher graduation rates and clearer pathways to reaching their dreams. Yet, because of systemic racism, Washington’s education workforce does not reflect the diversity of its students.

The opportunities are clear.

• Schools need to retain and recruit more adults who reflect students’ identities.
• More educators of color need to be thriving to support colleagues and the next generation in honoring all learners, respecting communities, and challenging inequitable practices.
• Dismantling systemic racism and eliminating inequities requires authentic partnerships centering the wisdom and experiences of students, families, communities, teachers and administrators of color.

It’s time to center representative communities and co-create trust and solutions.

Ingenuity lives within communities. That’s why LEADER supports community-designed and community-driven educational change across Washington. Approaches may vary by community. Some ideas may challenge existing notions of what schools look like, and where and how learning happens. But all share a common goal — that every student belongs, every student matters, and every student sees a future filled with possibility.

Get inspired with Promising Practices.

Learning about work-in-progress provides another powerful way to turn up the brilliance. See how the LEADER Initiative is unfolding and progressing around the state. There’s always more to amplify. Let us know when you have a promising practice story to share.

Get involved!

Find out how you can get involved, explore our virtual events, or sign up below for news updates about the LEADER initiative.