DEI Seminar: Cherise Ayers

Cherise Ayers
Dept. of Organizational Leadership, Policy, & Development
University of Minnesota
Host: Chemistry D&I Grad Student Training Working Group

Abstract

Minding the Gaps: Reframing Our Mindset Around K-12 Educational Gaps

Cherise Ayers is a native of St. Paul, Minnesota. Her 20 year career in K-12 education has included numerous roles, including teacher, dean of students, assistant principal, principal, and equity supervisor for a suburban school district. She has expertise in professional development, strengthening support systems for students, and evaluating programs, and she is passionate about nurturing community and family engagement and implementing systems of progressive change. This talk provides a historical context for understanding the myriad educational gaps between Black students and their White peers. It challenges listeners to consider the problematic nature of gaps and the systems in which they exist.

Cherise Ayers

Cherise holds a B.A. in English from Spelman College and an M.A. in secondary education and teaching from Brown University. She is currently working on her PhD in Education Policy and Leadership as a member of the Executive Cohort in OLPD. Her research interests include Critical Race Theory, culturally responsive pedagogy, educational liberation, and anti-racist school leadership. A teacher at heart, Cherise’s specialty is making connections as she explains complex and uncomfortable topics with style, humor, and grace.