Leading for Justice in Schools

How Community Based Epistemology and Black and Brown Influential Presence Creates Opportunities for All

Dr. William Jackson is a black man with short hair and beard. He is smiling warmly and wears a grey suit jacked and white shirt.

Event Details

When:

-

Location:

Online: Zoom

In-Person at WWU Academic Instructional Center West
Room 204

In-Person Event Agenda
4:00-5:00 PM PT - Talk
5:00-5:45 - Reception

Price:

Free

Brought to you by:

Woodring College of Education, The Foundation for WWU & Alumni

Description

Check out this video to watch the Leading for Justice in Schools.

Leading for justice in schools through the advancement of racial equity and access has been the focus of Dr. William Jackson’s work as an educator and school principal since graduating from Woodring College of Education in 2012. In this presentation, Dr. Jackson will share his story from growing as a student at Western Washington University to an emerging teacher at Woodring College of Education, to then growing in his purpose and passion as a teacher and school leader focusing on educational justice.

As an instructional framework, Dr. Jackson will use segments of Dr. Muhammad Khalifa’s Culturally Responsive School Leadership and Dr. Dakota Irby’s Stuck Improving: Racial Equity and School Leadership in connection to his own journey as an educator and school leader. Khalifa describes a “Community Based Epistemology," which Dr. Jackson applies to his method of identifying and centering students of color to advance racial equity and justice. This culturally responsive approach allows for growing and learning alongside students and families. Dr. Jackson will further articulate how this approach is connected to what Irby describes as “Black and Brown People’s Influential Presence” where he identifies how increasing the presence of people of color in schools and educational institutions creates positive outcomes for all students and school communities.

2024 Washington State Secondary Principal of the Year

Dr. William Jackson embracing Seattle Schools Superintendent Brent Jones at an award ceremony.

Dr. William Jackson, Speaker

As a visionary educational school principal, Dr. William Jackson centers his “why “ on the principles of justice, equity, access, and radical love. His commitment to these values is evident in his daily practice, ensuring that both educators and students discover joy and purpose in their educational journey. At Nathan Hale High School, his leadership is centered in equity and justice and guides decision-making around professional development, hiring practices, staffing arrangements, and budgeting, resulting in more equitable outcomes for educators, students, and families. 

Dr. Jackson is a mentor of principals and shares his experience and knowledge on leadership development, supporting school and community culture, and the nuances of change theory. He is an active academic serving as an instructor at the University of Washington’s Education Department. He teaches the courses Shaping Culture and Leading Change in the Danforth Principal Preparation program and Transformative Teaching and Learning in the Leadership for Learning Superintendent Preparation program.

His exemplary leadership has earned him the 2024 Washington State Secondary Principal of the Year award and recognition nationally by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) as a nominee for the National Principal of the Year in Washington DC next year. For more insights into these accomplishments visit the AWSP webpage and Seattle School District website.  Additionally, his influential work in leadership is featured on the University of Washington College of Education website and the Seattle Times.

Questions and Accommodations

Contact The Foundation for WWU & Alumni for this event if you have questions or need disability accommodations by calling (360) 650-3353 or emailing Alumni@wwu.edu

Advance notice for disability accommodations and special needs is greatly appreciated. Please indicate your special needs on the registration form.

There will be auto-captions available for the Zoom webinar.


Parking
Parking will be free starting at 3:30pm for this event in the C lot. Visit Western's comprehensive parking details webpage for lot locations and campus maps.