Drake University Character Award Nomination Application Questions and Answers Submitted May 1, 2021 by Allison Brundy, parent in Ames Community School District. 1. Introduce us to your nominee. Be as detailed as possible so we can get to know more about them. The Ames Community School District (ACSD) was first established in 1870, and now serves over 4,800 preschool-high school students. The ACSD Purpose Statement reads: "The Ames School District commits to equity and access that empowers every individual to reach their full personal and educational potential." Ames is where Iowa State University is located, and the community has been enriched by a variety of cultures that are represented in the Ames Community School District. ACSD has 5 elementary schools, one preschool, a state-of-the-art middles school, and Ames High School consistently rates high in reports by sources such as U.S. News and Niche. Many families that move into the Ames Community School District have been impressed with the variety of enriching programs and opportunities available to students. I am nominating the Ames Community School District (ACSD) for their important and inspirational impact on the lives of their students, families, and teachers with their commitment to equity and critical consciousness in the district through a variety of projects and initiatives. I would specifically like to recognize the important positive impact that ACSD has had on the lives of students through initiating this year’s first Black Lives Matter Week of Action in School that took place February 1-5, 2021. Please see resources related to the Black Lives Matter at School curriculum: https://www.blacklivesmatteratschool.com/ https://www.teachingforchange.org/blm-at-school-week-of-action-2021 https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/aspiring-educators-black- lives-matter-week-action Also, please see how the Ames Community School District describes its goals to address equity: https://www.ames.k12.ia.us/district/district/priorities-and-goals/ https://www.ames.k12.ia.us/school-news/critical-consciousness-building-implementation/ 2. How has the nominee impacted your life and/or the lives of others? Provide several, specific examples. *ACSD positively impacted the lives of students and families through courageously teaching the district’s first Black Lives Matter Week of Action in School curriculum. A few examples of the positive impact are: • During the Black Lives Matter (BLM) Week of Action in School, my remote elementary school child and I enjoyed the engaging and enriching learning activities that were shared. It was inspiring to hear stories that celebrated the beauty of Black American experiences, as well as stories of struggle and resilience. We especially appreciated listening to a variety of excellent children’s books with diverse perspectives that helped us have important conversations about equity in our country. My child at Ames Middle School felt that the BLM curriculum was valuable, relevant, real-world learning that helped students better understand, talk about, and imagine solutions to racial injustices in our country. As a parent, I was grateful my children were having these challenging and important conversations with their teachers and peers at school. I am also thankful for the conversations that the Black Lives Matter Week of Action at School curriculum inspired for our family at home. • Teachers reported that students expressed that Black Lives Matter Week of Action at School curriculum made them feel seen, that this curriculum made them feel the teachers do care about them, and that they exist to the schools. Some students shared they were not sure what the Black Lives Matter Week of Action at School was going to be like, and that they were a little nervous. However, at the end of the week, they felt the week was a very positive experience overall and wished it could have been longer. They felt they had many conversations at school that were important to have. 3. In what ways do you feel the nominee demonstrates the Six Pillars of Character? The Six Pillars of Character are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. ACSD has demonstrated the Six Pillars of Character through the following examples: • Trustworthiness: March 26, 2021, ACSD issued a statement of support for members of the Asian American/Pacific Islander community in response to the dramatic increase in violence towards this community, stating their commitment “to dismantle all forms of racism and bias that exist in our schools and the surrounding community.” • Respect: February 26, 2021, Ames High students led the creation and implementation of Black History Month Mini-Conferences to celebrate the culmination of Black History Month with educational sessions led by students, former students, and community members. • Responsibility: January-May 2021, ACSD Equity Director Dr. Anthony Jones has facilitated a critical consciousness workshop series with families once a month. I have been grateful to personally attend and learn from Dr. Jones’ deep understanding and skillful facilitation of discussions about our responsibility to address systemic racism. • Fairness: In 2017 ACSD began intentional and concerted efforts to build critical consciousness through high-quality professional development. ACSD defines critical consciousness as “the willingness and ability to see how power and privilege are at work to systematically advantage some while simultaneously disadvantaging others.” This professional development has continued to be provided to ACSD administrators, as well as many teachers and staff. • Caring: In March 2021, Ames Middle School Associate Principal Nicole Coronado and teacher Genya Coffee were recognized as “Women of Achievement” from the Ames YWCA for work “eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.” • Citizenship: March 1-5, 2021 Ames Middle School (AMS) teacher Katrina Williams and Ames High School (AHS) counselor Jean Mohammed facilitated participation in the “Many Shades of Color Young Women’s Conference”. AMS students and AHS students participated in this conference which strives to celebrate and empower young women. Additionally, two AMS students presented at the 2021 conference. Dear Selection Committee: April 23, 2021 We are thrilled to help nominate the Ames Community School District (ACSD) for a 2021 Iowa School of Character Award. As parents, community members, and faith leaders, we have seen over and over how the ACSD exemplifies the Six Pillars of Character: responsibility, respect, fairness, caring, trustworthiness, and good citizenship. We are so proud of the leaders in our district who have struggled to embody these pillars of character against all odds, and of all of our district educators who are working hard to instill these pillars of character in our children. The ACSD has recently been focused on reform to better meet the needs of children and youth of all races and socioeconomic backgrounds, ability levels, genders, and sexual orientations. In the process, it has provided many examples of the Six Pillars. Responsibility: In the fall of 2016, the ACSD began a process of honest self-examination and professional development to try make sure it was providing equitable experiences to all students in the district, with the vision that all students should thrive. As a part of that process, in the 2017–18 school year, local university professors guided professional development participants in conducting equity audits of their own buildings. The following year, the district conducted a broader audit of the middle and high school levels in the entire district. The results showed severe inequities. For instance, students receiving free and reduced-price lunch in the high school received two-thirds of suspensions and detentions despite making up only a third of the student body. What exemplifies responsibility is the ACSD’s response to this new knowledge. Rather than stop with the results from these reports, the ACSD instituted new professional development programs and initiatives to try gradually to implement a culture of equity in the district. As the district’s vision statement says, the ACSD “commits to equity and access that empowers every individual to reach their full personal and educational potential.” Nothing exemplifies this spirit more than the Black Lives Matter in School Week of Action this February, which constituted a district-wide week of curriculum oriented to help students understand principles of equity in age-appropriate ways. Moreover, the ACSD is eager for feedback and information on an ongoing basis. It has been working hard to increase response rates to its annual student, parent, and educator survey in order to have an accurate picture of how the district is doing. Then, the district’s leaders report the data back to the community, emphasizing both areas of gains and areas that need improvement. In addition, the ACSD has defined measurable and ambitious goals for the 217 6th Street | Ames, IA 50010 | 515-232-9323 |amesucc.org medium-term, ranging from improved equity outcomes for students to professional development to mental health and well-being. All of these efforts demonstrate that the district is taking responsibility for self-improvement. Respect: The examples above already exemplify respect for all students and families in the district, across lines that often divide communities. However, we have seen the ACSD model respect not only in its large initiatives, but by really listening to all people in the district. Here are just a few examples: • We have had some intense and very long school board meetings in the past year, some with comment periods that stretch for up to two hours. The school board has exemplified eagerness to listen. School board members regularly sincerely thank community members for their contributions. • District staff have incorporated high school student groups as full partners in their planning for initiatives such as the Black Lives Matter in School Week of Action, demonstrating respect for the high schoolers’ experiences, desires, and autonomy as members of the community.