Twitter @DrMi_Mi Instagram drmimi12 Dr. Mike Robinson: How can the discussion of race, poverty, and police brutality take place on college campuses when students return in the fall?
Dr. Camilla C. Ferebee: School leaders must have a strategic organized plan to discuss race, poverty, and police brutality. The conversation must be one of honesty and transparency. The planning committee should have forums including individuals from diverse backgrounds. Diversity will help students feel comfortable and allow them an opportunity to hear from individuals that may have similar life experiences. These conversations would need to take place over a period of time. The results of the conversations should be put into action. Before students return, there must be training and education for faculty and staff. I believe we are past conversations and their needs to be action. Without considerable action, trust will be lost.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What role should colleges and universities have in addressing some of the systemic issues impacting communities of color?
Dr. Camilla C. Ferebee: Understanding that schools play an important role in moving students from poverty to prosperity, it is imperative that colleges and Universities begin to develop course curriculums that address systemic issues impacting communities of color. Understanding that students come from a variety of backgrounds, schools must have activities to support students from all cultures and backgrounds. Information received in courses must be relevant to students and directly related to real-world experiences. During these unprecedented times, more than ever; it is imperative that students are able to take what they are learning and apply it to improve their communities. Colleges and Universities must prepare students with the knowledge and skills to properly address these and forthcoming issues.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Institutions of higher education have always been a haven for protest, debate, discussions, how do you see this continuing when students return in the fall?
Dr. Camilla C. Ferebee: Students should be able to express themselves peacefully on campus without retribution. What comes to mind is project-based learning. Students should be encouraged through courses and extracurricular activities to implement change.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Is there a role for today’s current events in the courses you teach? And how will you incorporate these into your curriculum?
Dr. Camilla C. Ferebee: As an administrator, it is my duty to ensure that teachers incorporate lessons that are relevant and related to real-world experiences. This can be done by teaching across the curriculum and incorporating current events into all classes. This will also be accomplished by incorporating more project-based learning activities.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What would you like to say to incoming and returning students before their arrival on campus?
Dr. Camilla C. Ferebee: To new and returning students, I would like to say: Although we are facing difficult times, stay focused, intentional, and dedicated. You are the change agents the world currently needs. You are in a position to help all citizens move from poverty to prosperity. Working together you can combat systemic racism.
Bio
Dr. Camilla C. Ferebee has over two decades of leadership experience in public education and the private sector. She has a BS in Biology, MS in Urban Education and a Doctorate of Education in Education Leadership. She currently serves as the principal of a middle school and the Founder and CEO of Ferebee Scholastics an Educational Consulting and Executive Coaching firm. The firm is dedicated to improving leadership skills, organization restructuring, organization effectiveness, and making data-driven decisions. Our areas of focus are but not limited to: leadership development, organization development, building high performing teams, and individual and group sessions focus on day to day areas of operations. All of which are necessary to transition from good to great.
Dr. Camilla C. Ferebee: School leaders must have a strategic organized plan to discuss race, poverty, and police brutality. The conversation must be one of honesty and transparency. The planning committee should have forums including individuals from diverse backgrounds. Diversity will help students feel comfortable and allow them an opportunity to hear from individuals that may have similar life experiences. These conversations would need to take place over a period of time. The results of the conversations should be put into action. Before students return, there must be training and education for faculty and staff. I believe we are past conversations and their needs to be action. Without considerable action, trust will be lost.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What role should colleges and universities have in addressing some of the systemic issues impacting communities of color?
Dr. Camilla C. Ferebee: Understanding that schools play an important role in moving students from poverty to prosperity, it is imperative that colleges and Universities begin to develop course curriculums that address systemic issues impacting communities of color. Understanding that students come from a variety of backgrounds, schools must have activities to support students from all cultures and backgrounds. Information received in courses must be relevant to students and directly related to real-world experiences. During these unprecedented times, more than ever; it is imperative that students are able to take what they are learning and apply it to improve their communities. Colleges and Universities must prepare students with the knowledge and skills to properly address these and forthcoming issues.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Institutions of higher education have always been a haven for protest, debate, discussions, how do you see this continuing when students return in the fall?
Dr. Camilla C. Ferebee: Students should be able to express themselves peacefully on campus without retribution. What comes to mind is project-based learning. Students should be encouraged through courses and extracurricular activities to implement change.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Is there a role for today’s current events in the courses you teach? And how will you incorporate these into your curriculum?
Dr. Camilla C. Ferebee: As an administrator, it is my duty to ensure that teachers incorporate lessons that are relevant and related to real-world experiences. This can be done by teaching across the curriculum and incorporating current events into all classes. This will also be accomplished by incorporating more project-based learning activities.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What would you like to say to incoming and returning students before their arrival on campus?
Dr. Camilla C. Ferebee: To new and returning students, I would like to say: Although we are facing difficult times, stay focused, intentional, and dedicated. You are the change agents the world currently needs. You are in a position to help all citizens move from poverty to prosperity. Working together you can combat systemic racism.
Bio
Dr. Camilla C. Ferebee has over two decades of leadership experience in public education and the private sector. She has a BS in Biology, MS in Urban Education and a Doctorate of Education in Education Leadership. She currently serves as the principal of a middle school and the Founder and CEO of Ferebee Scholastics an Educational Consulting and Executive Coaching firm. The firm is dedicated to improving leadership skills, organization restructuring, organization effectiveness, and making data-driven decisions. Our areas of focus are but not limited to: leadership development, organization development, building high performing teams, and individual and group sessions focus on day to day areas of operations. All of which are necessary to transition from good to great.