Equity and inclusion - Let’s fulfill the promise of “All means All”

My belief in a Castro Valley that embraces everyone motivated me to help lead the “Castro Valley Stands United Against Hate” and the “Bay Area Stand United Against Hate” campaigns.

In a KQED Perspective, I reflected on why it was important for our community to speak up in support of inclusion and to protect our neighbors who face discrimination. Our campaign resulted in 8,000 “Castro Valley Stands United Against Hate” being placed throughout homes, businesses, and classrooms throughout our community. The campaign brought hope to many and taught me to be a more effective ally in our efforts to ensure that in our Castro Valley schools and the broader community that “All means All.”

Last year, our school district was targeted by hateful online rhetoric for our efforts to ensure that our LGBTQ+ students, their family, and our staff feel welcome in our schools. Castro Valley responded with overwhelming support for our LGBTQ+ community.

Ensuring we meet the needs for all students requires us to listen, have empathy for uncomfortable truths, and commit to effect change for a more inclusive district. Specific areas that I believe will help us fill the equity and inclusion gap include:

• We must ensure we invest in pathways for all our students, whether it’s college, trade school, or the workforce after graduation. 

• We must ensure that our special education students receive responsive resources, particularly if distance learning will be a necessary tool as we face public health disruptions.