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Selma City Schools will participate in a national education conference next week at the Hilton Chicago.

SCS Superintendent and ASCD Board President Avis Williams will be joined by: Director of Federal Programs and Strategic Planning Rafael Simmons, Director of Teacher and Leader Development Concetta Burton, and Community Engagement Specialist Courtney Washington

The SCS group will present Aim for Excellence: Creating a Culture of Equity. They will share equity strategies SCS used to  engage learners to include establishing Academies of Academic Excellence.

SCS launched Academies of Academic Excellence at six elementary schools in the 2018-19 school year to provide  equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. While each school’s Academy of Academic  Excellence is designed around the unique needs and interests of its student community, every academy offers culturally  relevant curricula, educator professional learning, and academic support and enrichment opportunities.

“Our Academies of Academic Excellence are not only creating intentional spaces and experiences where children and  adults can bring their whole-selves into the classroom, but also giving students a chance to explore areas like STEM  education, the performing arts, entrepreneurship, and community service and leadership,” Williams said. 

The SCS will be among 1,600 educators and education leaders at ASCD’s Recharge and Reconnect annual conference.

The conference starts Friday and concludes on Monday.

ASCD is a national organization for professional learning for K-12 educators. Williams is optimistic that other schools can catch on to the process.

“While we still have a great deal of work ahead of us, I am proud that our national peers will have a  chance to learn from our experiences,’’ Williams said. “I hope that educators and education leaders will be able to use what they learn  from Team Selma to improve outcomes for students in their home schools and districts.”