Sycamore Tree Consulting Group

I am indebted to Memphis City Shelby Schools and the unlimited opportunities that have been afforded me in the arena of teaching and learning. I have taught in high need areas of the city, and most recently led turnaround efforts in a large urban school from Level 1 to Level 5 TVAAS growth and achievement. My work has always been steeped in a spirit of inquiry and curiosity. As regional superintendent, I will continue to lead and reimagine our ways of knowing and learning as we grow greatness in the east region.
Remember, what is measurable is not the same as what is valuable.

Check out this article from Commercial Appeal:
Memphis students outpace state growth in reading and math, but lag in social studies

https://lnkd.in/eJB3eXHe

studio:

In 2024, we proved Dr. Ron Edmunds right: "We can, whenever we choose, teach all children whose learning is important to us." This year wasn't about adapting to broken systems—it was about dismantling them.

As Director of Equity and Access at Memphis-Shelby County Schools, I've seen firsthand how transformative leadership can reshape educational landscapes. Our work isn't just about metrics; it's about creating environments where every student can truly thrive.

Three insights that drove our mission this year:

• Leadership Matters: "Above-average principals result in an additional 3 months of learning in math and reading per year compared to below-average principals." This isn't just data—it's a blueprint for systemic change.
https://lnkd.in/eedX-zih

• Listening is Leadership: "As school leaders, we must develop a listening mindset and ask, 'How are you experiencing my leadership?' If we listen, they will stay." Teacher retention isn't about perks—it's about genuine connection.
https://lnkd.in/etbCskm2

• Equity is a Choice: We demonstrated that educational achievement isn't a lottery—it's a collective decision we make as a community.
https://lnkd.in/euuhRmTP

Our year included critical milestones:
• Convening with thought leaders Ivory Toldson and Sharif El-Mekki to reimagine educational equity
• Creating affirming school cultures that center student experiences
• Speaking at the New Memphis Leadership Summit about transparent performance management
• Participating in the Southern Education Foundation's equity and policy reform project
• Celebrating Black history through powerful student-led spoken word and spiritual performances

Looking to 2025: We're scaling our approach. More than expanding programs, we're building a movement. Our focus? Developing leaders who don't just manage schools, but transform entire educational ecosystems.

To every educator fighting for genuine change: Your work matters. Your voice matters. Our collective imagination can rewrite what's possible.

The Southern Education Foundation granted me the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations around educational equity, policy reform, & community engagement. Be comfortable with safe uncertainty. As we experiment, failure can be tolerated. Introduce dissent in leadership, and maximize diversity in the experiment design process by getting as many inputs as possible.

The annual New Memphis Leadership Summit is curated to meet the needs of leaders from every sector and every level. I was afforded the opportunity to speak to business leaders on transparent systems in performance management. People and purpose are the fabric of organizational culture. New Memphis

The only thing I can do right now is to thank the Lord for his grace, kindness, love, and mercy for He has added another year to my life. I am so happy I am celebrating my birthday today!🎂🎂

We’ve gathered ambitious school district leaders from across the nation poised to address racial, economic and academic disparities in their districts. Learn more about the Racial Equity Leadership Network fellows and the districts where they are taking the lead. The fellowship program for executive leaders in school districts in the South is aimed at addressing persistent disparities in their systems and ensuring that race and class are no longer the most reliable predictors of student success. Visit southerneducation.org/reln to learn more.

Practice self-awareness to minimize the effects of our biases and maximize our potential for effective partnerships.

We had a productive convening in Chicago of school leaders across the country to learn to practice expansive listening, and understanding strategy versus planning.