FOR RELEASE
Worcester, MA - On Wednesday, May 29, Worcester Education Collaborative (WEC), along with Worcester Public Schools, hosted Dr. Shawn Ginwright, Jerome T. Murphy Professor of Practice at the Harvard Graduate School of Education for a virtual fireside chat focused on Dr. Ginwright’s recent book, "The Four Pivots: Reimagining Justice, Reimagining Ourselves". Over 120 people, including local leaders from the education and social service sectors, were in attendance for the discussion.
Dr. Ginwright’s book boldly asserts four revolutionary pivots for better activism and collective leadership – focusing on awareness, connection, vision, and presence. It provides ways to discover new lenses for approaching challenges in our professional and personal lives, and asserts our need for transformation, trust, wholeness, and healing.
President Barry Maloney of Worcester State University moderated the discussion. “My thanks to Jennifer Davis-Carey and the Worcester Education Collaborative team for bringing another timely and important conversation to Worcester. Dr. Ginwright’s book is a must-read. I found it difficult to put down. His 'Four Pivots' helps us uncover our blind spots. During Wednesday’s conversation, Shawn led a discussion with Worcester educators and community leaders, exploring how to discover new perspectives and boldly assert our need for connection, transformation, trust, wholeness, and healing. I was honored to play a small role in helping our community learn how to look into the mirror," said President Maloney.
Dr. Ginwright and President Maloney were joined by Worcester Public Schools Superintendent, Rachel H. Monárrez, PhD, and Raquel Castro-Corazzini of Worcester’s Division of Youth Opportunities, who reflected on their own application of the concepts and approaches presented in Dr. Ginwright’s book. “What Dr. Ginright's fireside conversation brought forth to me is a reminder that institutions and systems are not just cogs and wheels; they are comprised of humans with histories of joy and pain. It's essential to make space for our humanities, to see one another, and to understand each other so we can build stronger networks in order to heal ourselves and one another," said Castro-Corazzini of her experience at the event.
Superintendent invites the community to WPS Community Book Club
At the event, Superintendent Monárrez of Worcester Public Schools announced the launch of the WPS Community Book Club this upcoming fall. The group will be diving into "The Four Pivots: Reimagining Justice, Reimagining Ourselves" by Ginwright.
"I invite all high school students, teachers, staff, caregivers, and community members to join our WPS Community Book Club this fall," said the Superintendent. "We'll explore 'The Four Pivots: Reimagining Justice, Reimagining Ourselves' by Dr. Shawn Ginwright, reflecting on healing, hope, and community in a supportive space. Let's come together to rethink justice and personal growth for a better society and school district."
The group will facilitate thought-provoking discussions, examining Ginwright's insights from the book. The club is open to all high school students, teachers, staff, caregivers, and community members.
“Shawn Ginwright's work asks us to pivot in our consideration of what we bring, as people, to our work in education. We look forward to working with the Worcester Public Schools and other partners to continue this important conversation,” said Jennifer Davis Carey, Executive Director of Worcester Education Collaborative.
To learn more about the WPS Community Book Club, please visit their sign up page.
Many thanks to the Esler Family Foundation for sponsoring The Four Pivots: A conversation with Shawn Ginwright.
Click here to watch the event.
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Contact:
Jennifer Davis Carey, Executive Director, Worcester Education Collaborative
jdaviscarey@wecollaborative.org | (508) 615-5998
The mission of the Worcester Education Collaborative is to advance excellence and equity in education for all Worcester Public School students.
