National Task Force on Race and Equity

Committed to an equitable and inclusive education system for students.

Because it values diversity in our culture and prioritizes achieving education equity, the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) formed its National Task Force on Race and Equity. The task force will advise NAESP on issues related to racial equity in school communities, reveal schools’ common challenges and solutions, and support a peer-to-peer network of support for school leaders.The task force will focus on collecting information related to racial equity in schools, elevating relevant research, and determining how best NAESP can provide support to principals around these issues. In conjunction and collaboration with NAESP staff, the task force will host events for school leaders to share valuable best practices and produce recommendation to advance racial equity in the principal profession and in public schools.Principals—who research says are among the most trusted professionals—are tasked with advancing culturally responsive teaching and learning, which includes not only welcoming diversity in the classroom but also teaching students how to navigate an increasingly racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse society.NAESP firmly believes that principals, as a beacon of hope and inspiration for many community members, can play a central role in leading efforts to improve racial inequities. It is our sincere hope that this task force can elevate the dialogue around these issues and support principals in this work.

Guiding Priorities

Professional learning for principals that positions them as equity leaders and enhances key skill sets such as:
  • Personal reflection on race and implicit bias: Explore implicit biases and how they impact safe and culturally responsive learning communities.
  • Listening skills and courageous conversations: Develop critical facilitation skills to address race and equity with students, staff, and school community.

Curated tools and customized resources for school leaders that will include:
  • Schoolwide equity audit and screener tool: Review building and district-level student achievement data, staff hiring and retention practices, discipline policies, and digital access.
  • Curriculum and access review: Assess text selection, instruction, assignments, standards, and assessments with an eye toward equity. Also review gifted and special education programs.
  • Schoolwide equity training: Vetted training resources on various aspects of culturally responsive leadership.

  • Data collection: Gain insights about principals’ experiences and professional learning needs from unconscious bias survey.
  • Policy review: Use insights from principal unconscious bias survey to inform advocacy agenda, including identification of federal funding opportunities to support principals in their race and equity work. Examples might include targeted principal professional funding and grant programs to support principals to lead on equity in their schools.

Task Force Members

The task force members were selected based on their outstanding leadership to NAESP, in addition to their state, regional, and national colleagues.
Dr. Eveline Huh

Dr. Eveline Huh

Willow Elementary School
California
Dr. Liza Caraballo-Suarez

Dr. Liza Caraballo-Suarez

Magnet School of Architecture, Engineering & Design — P.S. 120
New York
Annette Sanchez

Annette Sanchez

Hampton-Moreno-Dugat Early Childhood Center
Texas
Thomas Payton

Thomas Payton

Roanoke Avenue Elementary School
New York
Nancy Antoine

Nancy Antoine

Bridgewater Elementary School
Minnesota
Denise Gamble

Denise Gamble

Illinois
Dr. Cynthia J. Hammond

Dr. Cynthia J. Hammond

Westside Elementary
Georgia
Jeremy Patterson

Jeremy Patterson

Middle School at Parkside
Michigan
Edward Cosentino

Edward Cosentino

Clemens Crossing Elementary
Maryland
Nicole Moore-Samson

Nicole Moore-Samson

Indian Mills School
New Jersey
Erica McLaughlin

Erica McLaughlin

Randolph Elementary School
Vermont
Kimbrelle Barbosa Lewis

Kimbrelle Barbosa Lewis

Cordova Elementary School
Tennessee