Pitre-Martin to students: “Make a difference, don’t just talk about it"
Petersburg superintendent challenges SOE 2020 Virtual Fall Convocation attendees to address equity
Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin, superintendent of Petersburg City Public Schools, began the VCU School of Education academic year by challenging new and returning students, faculty, staff and alumni at fall convocation to show people how we can all address equity.
“As educators, we’re always talking about how we’re making a difference for all students. The problem is that we talk about it, but we don’t always show it,” she said.
Pitre-Martin shared three areas where educators can show how they’re making a difference.
“First is data – how we look at it, and how we respond to it. Second is student work – how we utilize it to inform instruction, and how we use it to help our students advance. Third is access and opportunity – our most disenfranchised students are students of color, and they’re not given the same access and opportunity as other students,” she said.
“If we do these things right, we'll show people how we can address equity and not just talk about it.”
Dr. Pitre-Martin was appointed superintendent of Petersburg City Public Schools in 2019. Her public education experience spans three decades, including three years as superintendent of Thomasville City Schools in North Carolina. During her tenure there, the school district’s graduation rate increased 12% – an all-time high – and the district saw double-digit gains in test scores.
Dr. Andrew Daire began convocation by congratulating the school for its accomplishments during the past year, including our U.S. News & World Report ranking, our nearly $30 million in external awards, and by expressing our solidarity with recent anti-racist protests and efforts to eradicate structural and systemic racism..
“Our School of Education graduates have to be leaders in this area. We have the commitment and values system to do the work that will lead to change in our society. That change will begin with ourselves. I am excited about the work taking place within our school, our resolve and our commitment,” he said.
Below is a video of the recorded Zoom session.