The program's application deadline for accredited credentials and district-wide leading opportunities is Nov. 1. Photo courtesy of Washington Unified School District

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Washington Unified School District (WUSD) wants to help aspiring local leaders discover their “path to impact.”

The journey starts with the Washington Unified School District's Diversity Recruitment and Aspiring Leaders Program, which recruits and hires educators who better resemble students and the community.

The application and recruitment deadline is a “fantastic opportunity for individuals looking to begin their credential programs in Fall 2024 or earlier,” according to Washington Unified School District Communications Director Giorgios Kazanis.

“Local diverse leaders bring invaluable cultural competence and lived experiences that resonate with our students and families,” Kazanis said.

Being local matters in the search with Washington Unified School District employees and graduates specializing in math, science, special education or other hard-to-fill subject areas considered first.

“In-person interviews will take place in November and program acceptance letters will be provided by December,” Kazanis said. “We encourage anyone interested in making a difference in our schools to apply.”

The Diverse Educators program will recruit 30 educators over the next three years, creating a pathway for aspiring leaders by investing in current employees' development and training as potential Washington Unified School District leaders, the communications director said, adding only 15 candidates over the next three years are part of the program that offers pursuing administrative credentials or non-credentialed leadership roles in the district.

“Both these programs will have the potential to expand in future years,” Kazanis said.

The idea to train current employees for leadership roles is a strategic investment in Washington Unified School District's future. 

“These individuals already possess in-depth knowledge of our district's culture, challenges, and strengths,” Kazanis said of current staff. “By nurturing their leadership potential, we're capitalizing on their existing expertise while fostering a sense of growth and opportunity within WUSD.”

The step-up ladder “approach ensures continuity in our educational mission and creates a pipeline of deeply committed leaders to our students and community,” Kazanis said, adding, “It's a win-win situation that enhances employee retention and ensures our leadership is intimately familiar with the needs of our district.”

Refining the search focus on differences rather than similarities is critical to success.

Washington Unified School District promotes equity, excellence and empowerment, specifically with the district’s Diversity Recruitment and Aspiring Leaders Program. Photo courtesy of Washington Unified School District

“This representation fosters a more inclusive learning environment, enhances communication with our diverse community, and provides powerful role models for our students,” according to the communications director.

Students are the ones who make up the program. Through district-wide surveys, Kazanis said students made it clear they wished to see themselves better represented in the adults on our campuses.

“This powerful feedback was the catalyst that sparked these initiatives,” Kazanis said. “Our district leadership and school board members took this student input to heart and collaborated to develop these programs as a direct response.”

Calling student's input “a testament to our commitment to listening to and acting upon student voices in shaping our educational environment,” Kazanis said, “we're proud to be taking this student-centered approach, setting an example of how to actively respond to student feedback to create more inclusive and representative learning environments.”

The more locals, the better.

“Searching for diverse leaders locally is crucial because it allows WUSD to build a workforce that truly reflects and understands its community,” Kazanis said of the program approved in 2022 and funded through the Local Control and Accountability Plan and one-time general fund investment. 

“By investing in local talent, we're not just filling positions; we're strengthening the fabric of our educational community and creating pathways for long-term success and stability within our schools,” Kazanis said.

For more information, contact Jenna Raski in the Washington Unified School District Human Resources Department at [email protected] or call 916-375-7600, extension 1026.