Teachers Learn 'Equity Mindset' Before Class At Central Regional

BERKELEY, NJ — Central Regional teachers got ready for the upcoming school year with a lesson on how to become an "equity mindset teacher" from one of New Jersey's most highly regarded educators.

Principal Baruti Kafele, once an East Orange elementary school teacher who transformed four of NJ's urban schools as a middle school and high school principal, gave a talk to Central Regional teachers recently, Superintendent Dr. Tom Parlapanides told Patch.

Karefe's talk, "It's Not Enough To 'Do Equity,' You Must 'Be Equity,'" helped get teachers ready and excited for the school year, Parlpanides said.

He was "amazing," Parlpanides said, sharing that Karefe was "inspirational and outstanding."

The talk, according to Kafele's website, centers around developing "an 'equity mindset' toward ensuring the academic, social and emotional growth and development of all the learners in the classroom."

Equity means "meeting youngsters where they are, as they are," according to Kafele. He says that in order to meet the individual needs of all the students in a classroom, equity can't be just "what you do," it has to be "who you are."

Equity is something the Central Regional School District has been focusing on, after racist social media posts were shared earlier in 2022 by school board members. This sparked discussions at school board meetings, where it was shared that racism was an issue throughout the district.

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Since that controversy, Central Regional has promised to do better, introducing measures such as a People of Color Club in the school and forming a District Equity Committee. Read More: Central Regional Commits To Anti-Racist Measures