Sonya's Blog

The Criminalization and Adultification of Black Girls in America’s K-12 Educational Institutions

Some would argue that the most disrespected woman in America is the black woman, and the least protected woman in America is the black woman. I can’t say that I disagree with that. Especially as I engage in research from both a practical and theoretical perspective as it relates to the treatment of Black Girls…

Critical Race Theory vs. Culturally Responsive Pedagogy

Out of great concern for the inaccurate level of information being shared across the nation about how race and culture are being addressed in the classroom (or instructional levels), I have found it very much necessary for me to speak out about this topic directly and regularly. Relevant to this blog post, my interest is…

It’s Cold Outside and Teachers are Feeling the Chilling Effects of State Laws about Critical Race Theory

It’s cold out outside and teachers are feeling the chilling effect from state laws being passed to curb teaching about systemic racism, according to a recent article published by Education Week. More specifically, thirteen states now have passed into law similarly but loosely worded bills that their authors say are intended to prevent teachers from indoctrinating students…

Why Can’t I Find Any Unsweetened Tea in the Black Community?

African Americans are more likely to suffer from heart disease than any other group of people. Black people are disproportionately harder hit by heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. Each year more African American women die more from heart disease than breast cancer, lung cancer, and strokes combined. African…

You Were Called to Lead During Such a Time as This

You have been called to lead during such a time as this. Pushing the needle for public education. If you have had an opportunity to listen, then you are aware that in my podcast entitled, “The Sonya Whitaker Podcast 2.0: Gracefully Broken,” you are aware of an experience I had several weeks ago in which…

Identify Your Why: It Will Keep You Going and Going Like the Energizer Battery

If you’ve been following me lately, you may be wondering “where in the world is Sonya’s energy coming from?” I wake up daily fully charged like my I-phone after being on the charger all night. I stay so charged that I do not drink caffeinated coffee because I wake up on “ten.” The waiters at…

Calling All Educators! Let’s Bury the Use of the Term Academic Achievement Gap

On this day, I am asking that we bury the use of the term academic achievement gap, or at the very least, use it in a more appropriate context. Like many, I have engaged in the process of discussing the difference in the achievement levels between students of color (which includes students from various linguistic backgrounds) and students experiencing…

So Much Testing Yet So Very Little Progress: What Educational Leaders Should Do About This

Students across the entire country are in the process of meeting their final standardized testing requirements for the school year. The intent of this blog post is to cause you to examine the extent to which you believe that requiring students to take more tests, has actually caused for statistically significant improvements in student achievement. My…

Empowerment Through STEM: Who Needs Empowerment?

Just over a week ago I had the very distinct honor of delivering a keynote presentation to over 60 School Boards in the great state of Illinois. The topic of the presentation was Empowerment Through STEM. The angle that I took as it relates to addressing the topic is one rarely taken, although there is…

Happy New Year! Our Laser-Like 2020 Equity Focus

I want to take this opportunity to share with you information about what is occupying the greatest majority of my thinking at the start of this new year. I’ll begin by referring to a quote by Gloria Larson Billings. Dr. Billings shares with us that the goal of equitable education is not to help students…