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Dr. Gyimah Whitaker
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Dr. Gyimah Whitaker

Superintendent |  City Schools of Decatur

Dr. Whitaker’s Literacy Leadership: Transforming Decatur’s School System

Welcome to another episode of SORL, the podcast where we explore the transformative power of education and leadership in shaping young minds. I'm Dr. Christy Lamb, joined by my co-host, Terri Hunt, M.Ed., and today, we're diving deep into literacy and public education reform with the esteemed Dr. Gyimah Whitaker.


As the Superintendent of City Schools of Decatur, Dr. Whitaker stands at the forefront of the district's strategic initiative called All in Decatur, a visionary plan to foster a high-performing and inclusive educational system for every child. She'll share the compelling story of how Brown Bear isn't just a childhood staple but a powerful tool in teaching students to decode language patterns and grasp comprehension.


Her efforts are centered on comprehensive interventions for students who struggle with literacy, ensuring that inclusive education isn’t just a talking point but a living, breathing reality.


So, tune in as we applaud Dr. Whitaker's courage in paving a new path forward, ensuring that all truly means all, and striving for educational equity. Stay with us for this inspiring journey into literacy and leadership with Dr. Gyimah Whitaker.


Timestamps


00:00 Grandmother inspired me to pursue teaching.


03:32 Long-standing focus on children and education.


10:14 Strategic plan for an inclusive public education system.


13:10 Using data to inform literacy instruction effectively.


15:54 Decatur Housing Authority partners for student literacy.


21:04 Emphasizing high-impact tutoring in post-pandemic education.


24:07 The School system supports vulnerable learners and families.


28:38 Prioritize protocols for effective change management implementation.


30:35 City schools of Decatur prioritizing literacy for all.



Connect with Dr. Gyimah Whitaker

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/gyimahwhitaker/

Website:https://www.csdecatur.net/




Meet Our Co-Hosts

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Dr. Christy Lamb

Director of Partnerships | Just Right Reader

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Dr. Christy Lamb is a Director of Partnerships with Just Right Reader. She has served as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and principal in public schools in the Kansas City, MO area. She has also worked with Marzano Research in education improvement, serving districts across the country in literacy and leadership. Christy is passionate about supporting building leaders through her co-hosted podcast and platform, The Modern Principal. Having the opportunity to talk to researchers and district leaders on The Science of Reading Leadership Podcast merges her passions of literacy, leadership, and developing others.

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Terri K. Hunt, M.Ed.

Impact Manager | Just Right Reader

LinkedIn

Terri K. Hunt, M.Ed. creates content for students and teachers that is both diverse and engaging. Her mission as a professional is to teach well and lead the way. At her core, Terri is a teacher who takes great pride in the role she plays in the life of every learner. With over 20 years of experience in education, Terri has engaged a wide range of learners from the elementary classroom to the professional development of instructional leaders. Terri obtained her undergraduate degree in education from Oakwood University (formerly Oakwood College) and her graduate degree in educational psychology from the University of Georgia. She holds a gifted endorsement as well as a reading certification.