Fair Schools can help all students access the transformative education experience that will prepare them for the future.

School system leaders aim to foster transformative learning experiences for all students, especially those who are most marginalized. Despite their aspirations, the goals aren’t often realized in classrooms. But with the support of Fair Schools, concrete goals can be achieved.

Fair Schools improves student educational experiences by changing the power dynamics and relationships between students, families, and educators. We use three key levers: 

  1. healing-centered learning environments;

  2. standards-aligned affirming curriculum and instruction; and

  3. community engagement systems that build partnerships.

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Values

 
 
 

EQUITY

We believe all students can achieve and live their best lives. It is our job as educators to create the conditions to make that happen for all students regardless of their background.

 
 

EMPATHY

We must do our work in partnership with communities and educators. That means we must listen and understand first, before acting.

 
 

RESEARCH

We root all of our ideas in research so that we are giving students the best educational experience. We are constantly learning ways to reach and affirm all students.

 

Continuous Improvement

Create and implement feedback and data systems to understand the impact on student learning, school climate, and the experience of students and families.

 

Strategy Implementation

Through professional learning, coaching, data analysis, and organizing, work with school leaders to build their capacity to implement the strategy in partnership with students, families, and staff.

Fair Schools Strategy

Create a Common Understanding of the Learning Conditions

Support school leaders with identifying a school’s core needs by conducting a diagnostic to collect data, including empathy interviews with educators, students and families. We always center students and community members from historically marginalized communities.

 

Develop an Implementation Plan

Develop a strategy that establishes structures rooted in standards based curriculum, responsive education, restorative justice, social emotional supports, and meaningful family/community engagement, all while centering the context of the school and its surrounding communities.

  • We have enjoyed working with Fair Schools on our Learning and Development sequence grounded in Culturally Centered Schools. Steph’s background knowledge in the education space provided clear and tangible action steps for staff members to take and apply in their classroom practice. Fair Schools combines high academic rigor with the humanity for communities we serve. Fair Schools is extremely collaborative, flexible and committed to equity work- no matter where your organization is at this current time.

    Aaron, Associate Director, Rocketship Public Schools

  • One important thing I took away from Fair Schools professional development was a reminder to be mindful of the different ways our students’ backgrounds and experiences impact their learning here on campus. Additionally, as a team, we discussed how our own backgrounds and experiences could influence student success.

    Teacher, Professional Development Participant

  • I feel more confident in the strategies being implemented by teachers around the school. The sessions put the "why" behind a lot of actions and instructional moves that are being used that may have otherwise been written off as based solely for engagement.

    School Leader, Professional Development Participant

  • Steph and I worked together as she developed and facilitated a series of sessions on micro-agressions, white supremacy/privilege and adult whole group restorative conversations. Also, she led a cohort with teachers on equity based assessments. They were highly successful, uncomfortable (in the best way!), and well received.

    Ernest, School Leader, Leadership Public Schools

The Ideas That Inspire Us

  • Culturally Responsive Teaching & the Brain

    Zaretta Hammond

  • Culturally Responsive School Leadership

    Dr. Khalifa Muhammad

  • Culturally Relevant Pedagogy: Asking a Different Question

    Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings

  • We Want to Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching

    Dr. Bettina Love

  • Coaching for Equity

    Elena Aguilar

  • Emergent Strategy

    Adrienne Maree Brown

  • Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy

    Dr. Gholdy Muhammad

  • Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies: Teaching and Learning for Justice in a Changing World

    Dr. Django Paris & Dr. H. Samy Alim

  • Measuring Up: What Educational Testing Really Tells Us

    Dr. Daniel Koretz

  • Street Data: A Next-Generation Model for Equity, Pedagogy, and School Transformation

    Shane Safir and Jamila Dugan

The Team

 
 
 
 

Stephanie Frenel

Founder and CEO

Stephanie has been an educator for over fifteen years. A Black, queer, multilingual, first-generation American, she has a variety of experiences working with marginalized communities as a teacher, instructional coach, and principal. She has worked with districts and charters across the country and wants to help all educators partner with their communities to create thriving classrooms.

 

Madison Wray, PhD

Research Analyst

Madison mixed methods researcher whose research focuses on the impact of bilingual programs on student outcomes and social emotional development. She supports Fair Schools with our internal and external research and development work. This includes analyzing student outcomes as well as family and student surveys and empathy interview data to holistically understand the impact of our work with schools.

 
 

Dr. Shanta Rhodes

Professional Learning Manager

Shanta supports Fair Schools with the development and implementation of our professional learning to leaders and educators. In previous district leadership positions, such as Chief Academic Officer, Career & Technical Education Director, MTSS Student Intervention Specialist, and Director of Federal Programs, Shanta has launched impactful literacy initiatives, established professional learning communities, and expanded community partnerships to increase student support systems. She has excelled in roles where she coached leaders and educators to support the implementation of instructional practices and optimize student learning

 

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