Yakima School District
Yakima School District(YSD) is partnering with Leading Educators to create and sustain an education system that develops in its youth the confidence that they can make a difference in the world and the competence they need to do so on par with other youth in our country and around the world.
About the Partnership
Yakima School District (YSD) is determined to provide a safe, equitable, inclusive, and high-quality learning environment where every student can thrive and succeed.
YSD leaders also recognize change is necessary to empower every student with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary for success in Yakima and beyond.
Opportunity
In 2020, the district released a new strategic plan accompanied by a portrait of a graduate to articulate key levers for ensuring all students succeed. That created a renewed focus on student learning, effective instruction, and empowering infrastructure.
The levels of student growth and achievement in the Yakima School District have remained relatively unchanged during the past few years.
- About 4 out of every 20 children enter Kindergarten meeting readiness standards
- About 6 out of every 20 students met/exceeded state standards in Mathematics in 2018
- About 8 out of every 20 students met/exceeded state standards in English Language Arts in 2018
- The 4-year high school graduation rate was about 75%, and the drop-out rate was about 14%
Yakima School District has an incredibly diverse student population, serving a majority of students who identify as Hispanic or Latino (65 percent). The district’s efforts to advance equitable opportunities and outcomes, especially among multilingual learners, can shed light on opportunities for U.S. education to ensure all students receive a high-quality education.
Solution
Leading Educators is supporting leaders to build capacity in key aspects of curriculum implementation and learning strategy as YSD transitions to new high-quality English language arts (ELA) materials, develops principals as instructional leaders, and bolsters professional learning communities (PLCs).
Starting in 2021, the Yakima partnership originally centered on supporting the district with online and hybrid instruction in order to respond to COVID-19 disruptions. Once typical school operations resumed, the scope shifted to focus on professional learning connected to YSD’s Strategic Plan and the Teaching and Learning department’s (T&L) strategic priorities.
Leading Educators is aiding YSD in establishing a shared understanding of current system conditions and a team strategy, setting goals and measures, and gathering data to initiate cycles of inquiry for refining/developing systems that bolster high-quality instruction within Teaching and Learning.
Furthermore, LE is collaborating with the Multilingual Learner (MLL) team to devise a plan that integrates support for MLLs.
Leading Educators is supporting YSD educators to build their math content knowledge through planning connected to high-quality instructional materials..
Partnership By The Numbers
16,000 Students
being prepared to thrive and succeed
825 Teachers
applying their learning to their planning and practice
23 Schools
being supported to continuously improve system conditions
Meet the Team
Dr. Lakita D. McKinney
Emily Schriber
Aneka Bruce
Kenneth Jeffers
About Dr. Lakita D. McKinney
Before joining Leading Educators, Lakita was the Senior Director at Leading Elephants where she provided support for leaders through individual and group executive coaching, the design and facilitation of adult learning experiences, and customized organizational consulting. She previously served as the Senior Director of Leadership Development for the Tennessee Department of Education in the Human Capital Division and redesigned the leadership academy for new principals and assistant principals. She also previously served as New Leaders’ Executive Director for the Midwest Region where she provided strategic direction and program development input to support districts in addressing leadership development needs. Lakita began her career teaching in Chicago Public Schools and went on to successfully execute the start of a new contract school in Chicago.
Lakita holds a Doctor of Education from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College; two Master’s degrees, one in Curriculum & Instruction and the other in Administration & Supervision. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Florida A&M University. Lakita enjoys spending quality time with her family in Naperville, IL. She loves to travel and is a self-proclaimed foodie.
Dr. Lakita D. McKinney in the news
About Emily Schriber
Before joining Leading Educators, Emily worked as a coach and facilitator supporting district and school leaders and teachers to create systems and structures to transform teaching and learning to ensure equity for students. She has also designed experiences for online and social learning platforms and loves to think about different ways of supporting adult learning to deepen practice.
Emily started her career as an elementary teacher in San Jose, California, and her students continue to provide focus, inspiration and guidance for her work for equity, even though they’re all grown up. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and History from the University of New Mexico.
About Aneka Bruce
Prior to joining Leading Educators, Aneka taught middle and high school level mathematics throughout her tenure in the NYC Department of Education in her hometown of Brooklyn, NY. She then transferred those skills outside of the classroom as a Math Intervention Manager, Instructional Coach, and Assistant Principal in middle and high schools in Southeast DC.
Aneka's passion for education also encompasses health & wellness. She is a graduate of Penn State University's Kinesiology, Movement Science Program B.S. and St. John University's Masters of Education in Secondary Mathematics Program. Blending both passions, Aneka is also a proud U.S. Army Soldier serving as an Army Medical Officer. She continuously strives to cultivate strong leaders and educators within both fields for hopes of a brighter future for America's youth. In her free time, Aneka enjoys exploring trails and hiking with her friends before indulging in a hearty brunch.
About Kenneth Jeffers
Kenneth is a New York City native, proud Morehouse College alumnus, and also completed his Master’s degree in Sports Product Management at the University of Oregon in 2018. He currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys reading, health & fitness, traveling, & trying new restaurants.
Kenneth is very excited to pivot into the education field, and has always been a huge supporter of transformative education. He is looking forward to creating engaging & enriching learning experiences for students. Joining Leading Educators perfectly aligns with his passion for uplifting the next generation of thinkers, creators, and leaders.
Learn About Other Partnerships
Yakima School District is one of a dozen partnerships across the country that are pushing the boundaries of what schools can offer students. Learn more about how we customize our supports to meet the needs and strengths of visionary districts.
