LM Feb.2021_lo

at right: Dr. Desmoulin-Kherat poses with a group of student leaders from Peoria SD #150.

Desmoulin-Kherat ... cont’d.

can the state do to have clear policies and fund the individuals directly so they can work, have insurance and go to school/and/or complete student teaching? I think our state legislators took a worthwhile step forward last month in including it as part of the Black Caucus omnibus education bill to increase educator diversity, especially the minority teacher scholarship. It won’t change overnight, but we must prioritize the hiring of diverse teacher candidates in our public- school classrooms. In the meantime, Peoria Public Schools has already taken steps toward addressing this internally in recent years with our Grow Your Own initiative to develop and foster internal minority teaching candidates. In addition, the implementation of our Teacher Pathway Program provides PPS high school students a head start on a teaching career, which comes with a guaranteed job offer at PPS.

Q

You are passionate about reimagining schools. Was

there a flash bulb moment for you where you decided the old way of educating kids isn’t working and you have to try something different?

minorities and low-income individuals and their children. The list includes, but is not limited to, clients who got their GED or their 8th grade diploma and were able to get unstuck. They were trained and were assisted in finding jobs. They had access to Parenting Classes to gain their children back. There was also enrichment programming for middle and high school students. My journey at the organization confirmed to me that minorities and low-income children are much more capable. I realized that the one-size-fits-all school model is not the right approach. I was also exposed to advocates in urban setting who were brave, self-assured, intelligent, critical and resilient thinkers who were historically focused and strong enough to be penetrating voices in the community, where they advocated for the powerless. This needs to continue because change is needed. We must acknowledge the oppression, challenge the system and engage the marginalized.

A

I saw a lot and learned a lot during my 12 years at a premiere African American social service agency—Tri-County (Peoria)

Urban League. I was able to see firsthand and saw how individuals were trapped in the model of marginalization. It was pervasive, and I learned about the importance of equity. The work at the Urban League was all about helping disenfranchised individuals to get back on their feet through education, employment and counseling. It was such good work that was focused on finding a variety of solutions to eliminate the inequities for

6 LM February 2021