SCHOOLS + COVID = INEQUITY AMPLIFIED

OUR MODERATOR AND PANELISTS

MODERATOR RICK MELVOIN '73

Rick Melvoin graduated from Harvard in 1973 magna cum laude with a Special Concentration in American Education, and he earned his PhD. in history from the University of Michigan. His career in education has focused largely on independent schools, where he was a teacher, administrator and, for 25 years, head of Belmont Hill School in Massachusetts. Over those years he served as board president of The Headmasters Association and the International Boys Schools Coalition. His service to Harvard has included both paid and volunteer positions. He served as Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid for Harvard College for five years and a Lecturer in History and Literature. Currently he is a Lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Active with his class, he is the longtime co-editor of the Class Report. He was elected a member of Harvard’s Board of Overseers in 2002.

JOHN B. KING JR. '96

@edtrust

John B. King Jr. is the president and CEO of The Education Trust, a national nonprofit organization that seeks to identify and close educational opportunity and achievement gaps. King served as U.S. Secretary of Education in the Obama administration. Prior to that role, King carried out the duties of Deputy Secretary, overseeing policies and programs related to P-12 education, English learners, special education, innovation, and agency operations. King joined the department following his post as New York State Education Commissioner. King began his career as a high school social studies teacher and middle school principal.

CALLS TO ACTION

Advocate for resources for schools, as well as for the investment we need in the social safety net so kids can have food and shelter. 

• 15 Advocacy Groups Championing Teachers and Learning Across the U.S.

• The moratorium placed on evictions by the CARES Act ends on December 31st. Search here for organizations fighting youth homelessness across America.

• Here's how you can help food insecure children.

NICK MELVOIN '08

@nickmelvoin

Nick Melvoin is proud to serve the dynamic communities of District 4 on the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education. Nick’s work is focused on increasing parent and community engagement, transparency and accountability; directing more resources to schools; protecting our most vulnerable students; and bringing a new spirit of partnership and collaboration to LA’s public schools. He chairs the district's "Continuous Improvement Data Committee," as well as serving on committees related to legislative advocacy, early education, affiliated charter schools, and school safety. Prior to his election, Nick worked as a teacher, public interest attorney, nonprofit director, and an active board member of a number of community and political organizations. Nick has also worked in the Obama White House and the US Attorney’s office. Nick is a graduate of Harvard College, NYU School of Law (Root-Tilden-Kern Scholar), and Loyola Marymount University’s School of Education. He was the 2018 recipient of the Los Angeles Young Democrat of the Year Award.

CALLS TO ACTION

• Vote in School board and state elections, as they have more impact on the lives of kids than federal elections.

• Wear a mask to get help numbers of COVID-19 cases down.

ANGELA SIMS

@angelasims27

Angela Sims is a proud graduate of Chicago Public Schools (CPS), and has worked for CPS as a teacher and administrator for over 15 years. She is the principal of Ted Lenart Regional Gifted Center, a 2020 National Blue Ribbon School. She believes that a school should not only challenge students academically, but also meet their social and emotional needs so that they can make critical decisions as they progress through college and into careers. At Lenart, students are taught that great leaders are not only smart, but are also caring and empathetic.

Despite being a good student, Angela did not like school and often felt unchallenged and disinterested. Angela’s main goal as an educator is to create a different learning experience than her own that is both challenging and relevant to her students’ lives. She is a teacher at heart and loves to discuss pedagogy and instruction.

Angela received her Bachelor’s degree from Spelman College, and Master’s degrees in teaching and school administration from National Louis University. She is currently a student of the University of Pennsylvania’s Mid-Career Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. Her research interests include critical race theory and high ability learners of color.

CALLS TO ACTION

• Become a part of your school's community, and find out what your local schools need.
• 5 Different Ways You Can Volunteer at Your Local Schools
• Become a partner to your local schools. You can provide resources like equipment  and technology, as well as mentoring and tutoring students.