From the Nov./Dec. 2020 issue of Equity & Access Pre K-12
When Hector Cardona was young, he felt that his opportunities would be limited as a result of where his parents were from, where he was growing up, and the color of his skin. It diminished his expectations of a bright future for himself.
He now leads Meriden Public School educators in reassessing themselves and their role in a system that all-too-often perpetuates feelings of diminished future prospects for many of our children of color, who often don’t see themselves represented in their teachers.
“Racial equity is vital for our children’s full participation as productive citizens in our country, and for all of our children to grow up in a world that welcomes them.” – Hector Luis Cardona, Jr.
Washington Middle School’s Teacher of the Year, Hector Cardona, represented middle school on the newly formed cadre of Equity Leaders. He was instrumental in developing the district’s racial equity modules: Defining Racial Equity, Increasing Our Racial Consciousness, Engaging in Difficult Conversations, The Impact of Microaggressions and Unconscious Bias, and Dimensions of Being White, which are utilized district-wide.
Hector promoted the initiation of the district Affinity Group for teachers of color. Currently, they are engaging with administrators and neighboring districts. Hector organized and led a school book club which discussed “Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together In The Cafeteria?”
- Learn more about his equity work at Meriden Public Schools
- Follow him on Twitter: @HectorLuisCard
The American Consortium for Equity in Education, publisher of the "Equity & Access" journal, celebrates and connects the educators, associations, community partners and industry leaders who are working to solve problems and create a more equitable environment for historically underserved pre K-12 students throughout the United States.
- American Consortium for Equity in Educationhttps://ace-ed.org/author/admin/
- American Consortium for Equity in Educationhttps://ace-ed.org/author/admin/
- American Consortium for Equity in Educationhttps://ace-ed.org/author/admin/
- American Consortium for Equity in Educationhttps://ace-ed.org/author/admin/
