This year, Park has introduced culturally relevant literacy coaches to help out in the school. In previous years, equity coaches had been working at the school to create a more equitable environment for students and staff. These literacy coaches have been implemented to replace equity coaches.
According to Ila Saxena, one of the equity coaches at Park, Saxena and her colleagues are making sure that teachers have the tools to be culturally literate in their classrooms. She said that she and her associates are taking the equity programs a step further.
“We are carrying the work that’s been going on in their organization further and deeper,” Saxena said. “We are specifically focusing on the development of culturally relevant practitioners and practice elevating utilizing literacy.”
According to literacy coach Maddy Wegleitner, the coaches will be helping teachers to understand and incorporate more culturally applicable material into their classroom curriculums.
“We’re working with staff to develop their understanding of cultural relevance and culturally relevant pedagogy,” Wegleitner said. “Our staff then grow in their understanding of being teachers of reading, writing, speaking and listening.”
According to science teacher Alex Polk, he continually incorporates cultural components into his teaching. He said he feels that it’s very important that curriculums should be pertinent to all students.
“[Incorporating cultural elements in the classroom] is something I do on a regular basis because life and teaching should be relevant to everybody,” Polk said. “My goal has always been to kind of do that.”
Wegleitner said the coaches will allow students to connect with their coursework at school.
“Students will hopefully feel like they’re seeing themselves in the curriculum and in their lessons,” Wegleitner said.
Polk said that teachers at Park will be able to meet more often to discuss curriculums and coordinate relevant material for their students.
“We [teachers] had the opportunity to meet,” Polk said. “Mr. Wachutka and I had the opportunity to meet for half a day and we have not been able to do that before.”
Saxena said she hopes that the change will bring joy in learning for students and staff at Park. She said she is optimistic that the curriculum will develop students into confident learners.
“Part of the culturally relevant pedagogy would include the use of the five pursuits from Dr. Gholdy Muhammad and that is centered around developing competent and confident learners,” Saxena said. “Hopefully all of that sparks joy.”
Ila Saxena and Maddy Wegleitner are the two culturally relevant literacy coaches available at Park. They can be accessed in the Learning Lab in Room 202.
