The Urban Education Change Equation

Our students can’t wait.

Welcome to The Urban Education Change Equation with Dr. Hope O’Neil. Dr. Hope has 32 years of experience as a teacher, instructional designer, instructional coach, literacy professional developer, writer, researcher, mentor, school principal, district administrator, college professor, transformational speaker, advocate, and systemic education reform strategist.

The purpose of this forum is to build an intellectual community of practice that unpacks the current reality of K-12 urban education in America and crafts a clear future vision for our schools. It is a call to action for American students, teachers, and administrators to work with urgency to turn around outcomes for underserved students.

What can you expect from this blog? I will share some of my thoughts on our urban education reality and the path forward. Expect:

  • Professional book blessings
  • Anecdotes
  • Compelling confessions
  • Summary of key research findings
  • Responses to national news
  • Theories about ” the why” behind urban school success and failure
  • Learning and teaching best practices
  • Leadership gems
  • Resource recommendations for urban ed practitioners

How will we engage as a community? We will immerse ourselves in critical and creative thinking about the interconnected variables of leadership, education, religion, politics, race, class, culture, and human relationships. We will peer virtually through the windows of underperforming and exceeding urban schools to analyze the lived experiences of our children and teachers. We will learn through shared stories, scholarly research, and courageous conversations around essential questions.

Lean in to experience the heart and soul of an urban education leader who wants all students to win. I, too, will lean in to become smarter about this work as I learn from you.

Community norms

  • Be respectful.
  • Be open to divergent thinking.
  • Be willing to challenge your own assumptions and biases.
  • Be committed to learning.
  • Be engaged! ( Actively, read and respond).