“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
As America grapples this week with how to have conversations in the face of racism and violence, we understand how important voices of leadership are. We realize staying silent is a message in and of itself.
The video below is in support of a collective movement. We stand together to make change in our systems and to ensure all our students thrive, feel safe and have the ability to show up as their authentic selves.
We are unified in the commitment to interrupt racism both now and indefinitely.
Elementary Principals Video Message
Resources
How to Talk to Kids about Race and Racism
Teaching Tolerance – website for teachers but has excellent articles, lessons, ideas parents can use as well.
Transcript of the Elementary Principals Video Message
Amy Lesan (Corvallis School District): As a white female leader in our district, I believe we need to start really talking about race.
Principal Hale (Lincoln School): I believe as a white ally, it is critical that I talk with my children about racism.
Principal Gosser (Hoover School): As a white mother, I believe in the importance of each life, that all were created with purpose and value.
Principal Martin (Adams School): As a white woman, I believe silence is a privilege, and it is my responsibility to talk about and interrupt racism.
Principal Harlow (Franklin School): As a white man, I believe the responsibility to change the narrative of racism belongs to me.
Principal Beasley (Wilson School): As a white male, I believe that my silence perpetuates racism.
Principal Still (Jefferson School): As a white woman, I believe it is essential I fully acknowledge and talk about what is happening in our nation.
Principal Santy (Garfield School): As a white woman, I believe that I must use my privilege to create a more just world. To do that, I believe I must name racism.
Interim Principal Fisher (Mt View School): As a white woman, I believe that it is my responsibility to talk about racism to my white children.
Marcianne Koetje (Corvallis School District): As a white Latina, I believe that all our students bring beautiful gifts to our schools: Languages, cultures, lived experiences, and it is important to have open and courageous conversations about race.
Jodie Wyatt (Corvallis School District): As a white woman, I understand that I will never understand. However, I stand.
Amy Lesan (Corvallis School District): I hope that our students will see us and follow our lead as we dismantle systemic racism.
Principal Hale (Lincoln School): I hope for our students a community that embraces the dignity of each individual.
Principal Gosser (Hoover School): I hope for my own children and those whose lives I touch that they would see others in the beauty of their humanity, and treat them in a way that is kind, inspiring and shows love.
Principal Martin (Adams School): I hope all our students can embrace their authentic identities and meet each other with compassion and curiosity.
Principal Harlow (Franklin School): I hope in the near future, our students will live in a narrative of anti-racism.
Principal Beasley (Wilson School): My hope for my students of color is to know that their voice and their lives matter.
Principal Still (Jefferson School): My hope for our students is for them to continue becoming racially conscious by understanding tragedies inflicted on other human beings impact us all.
Principal Santy (Garfield School): I hope that each and every student, especially our students of color, stand in our community with voice, and I hope I have the courage to truly hear those voices.
Interim Principal Fisher (Mt View School): My hope for our students is that they are able to show up fully as their authentic selves.
Marcianne Koetje (Corvallis School District): I hope that our students become critical thinkers of the world around them and have compassion for each other, for students of other races, cultures and ethnicities. Because together we can move mountains.
