217-351-3836
Office of Equity & Engagement
Dr. Angela Ward
Assistant Superintendent of Equity & Engagement
Introduction
Hello,
My name is Dr. Angela Ward, and I am the Assistant Superintendent of Equity and Engagement. I am also the new supervisor for secondary school Principals. My role is multifaceted, however, there are two things that are central to my work: a hyper-focus on college, career, and life readiness for all students enrolled in Unit 4, and a commitment to equitable practices designed to close opportunity gaps that might prevent any student from achieving their dreams.
Our Goals
The Office of Equity and Engagement plays a key role in monitoring the implementation and progress toward goals outlined in Unit 4’s strategic plan. We are committed to developing authentic relationships with families, non-profit organizations, and other community groups to help better support traditionally underserved student populations. We strive to work collectively with other departments, to dismantle policies, systems, and practices that might otherwise impede our students’ progress. We are committed to helping create a warm and welcoming culture where students, staff, and families feel safe and respected. We recognize that equity work is continuous and requires a commitment from us all. We pledge to do our best to engage the entire Unit 4 community as we embrace our diversity and leverage it as a strength that will help us become one of the most amazing school districts in the Midwest.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Strategic Plan implementation, AVID, College & Career Readiness Programs, LIFT, Program Evaluation, Resource Distribution, Systems of Support, monitoring the implementation of Panorama, and supervision of secondary school principals.
Departments, Programs, and Initiatives
College and Career Readiness
Our goal is to equip K-12 students with a well-suited, personalized and dynamic, post-secondary plan by employing systems and measures of support and accountability focused on closing the achievement, opportunity and expectation gaps.
LIFT (Leading Individuals and Families to Transformation)
LIFT is a partnership between the Champaign Unit 4 School District and the City of Champaign that provides trauma-informed, wraparound support to African American K-12 students and their families facing significant academic and personal challenges, helping them succeed and thrive.
Operation Hope
Operation Hope engages high school students in positive activities to support academic performance, healthy lifestyles, social skills, and positive adult/child relationships, empowering students to envision themselves as productive community members.
TEACH Academy
Presented by the Campus-Community Compact to Accelerate Social Justice, the TEACH Academy is a 3-day interactive experience designed to strengthen instructional practices using a lens that focuses on educational justice, equity, and inclusion.
YES (Youth Employment Services)
YES provides curriculum around essential job skills such as communication, time management, critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership.
