Description:

Persistent and pervasive forms of oppression have historically impacted the educational system since its inception. Madison Metropolitan School District prides itself on upholding the civil rights of all students. We here at Student Services have taken a proactive approach to identifying and addressing the barriers that keep students from being college, career, and community-ready. Come learn more about our Anti-Racist IEPs and how you can become involved in creating inclusive environments for all students.

Learning objectives:

1. Attendees will learn the background of MMSD Anti-Racist Evaluation and IEP Project
2. Attendees will learn about the tools and resources available to professionals, students, and community stakeholders
3. Attendees will learn about how MMSD creates and sustains family and school engagement opportunities

Presenter: Dr. Nakia S Wiley

Dr. Nakia S. Wiley is a native of Chicago, Illinois (South-side). She is a wife, mother, grandmother, and community advocate who lives in Madison on the West Side. Her pronouns are she, her, and hers, and she identifies as a Black-disabled-Cisgendered Woman. Black history and excellence were intentionally taught in her home, schools, and churches she attended during her formative years. She has served in education since 1999 in various capacities and lands. She accepted the call to Madison Metropolitan School District in the summer of 2016 as a cross-categorical teacher and continues to serve in student services with joy and gladness. She currently serves as the Student Services Coordinator of Professional Learning at MMSD. She received her doctorate from Edgewood College, where she conducted a study pertaining to educators who use curricula and pedagogy to create inclusive environments for fourth-grade Black students.

She is a volunteer member of the Black educators network in Madison. They are a group of Black school professionals who collectively provide intentional spaces for Black school professionals. She is the volunteer President for Disability pride Madison. Disability pride is the idea that people with disabilities should be proud of their disabled identity. She is also the Vice Chair of the Disability Commission of Madison. People with disabilities are the largest and most diverse minority within the population, representing all abilities, ages, races, ethnicities, religions and socio-economic backgrounds (National Council on Independent Living, n.d). She is also a member of MOSES which is a grassroots interfaith organization affiliate of WISDOM that works to promote social justice with a focus on ending mass incarceration (MOSES, n,d). She is a board member for the Black teacher project which is an affiliate of the National Equity Project. She also serves as a board member of a local organization called OWN It. OWN It is a non-for profit organization that helps people of Color secure home ownership. She is a board member for NAMI and champion for humans who have mental health concerns. She is a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church located in Madison Wisconsin. She also serves at the Edgewood College Cutting Edge Program as a Graduate Assistant who supports students and alumni who have disabilities while she studies as a Thanatology student. Lastly, she is a human who will advocate for social justice in public and private institutions so that we can have thriving communities for all.