Tatiana Robinson: The start of a new era in DCPS
My career as a DC Public Schools (DCPS) student will come to an end in June once I complete my senior year of high school. Having grown up in the school system, I have been encouraged by the progress we have made and discouraged by the setbacks and lack of transparency we have experienced. In these final months, I am excited about the school system’s future as Dr. Lewis Ferebee prepares to become the next chancellor, presenting a new opportunity for DCPS. With his vision for strong communities, transparency, and setting every student up for post-secondary success, the road ahead looks promising.
I was one of the students who met with Dr. Ferebee during his interview process for DCPS chancellor and two things stood out to me: his passion for education and his ability to listen — especially to students. Since I started in DCPS more than 10 years ago, we have seen increased access to opportunities as our schools continue to improve. For example, eighth- and 11th-grade students can now study abroad, more high school students have access to dual enrollment at a college or university, and schools have started restorative justice programs such as Access Youth to help students address their problems and build character and leadership.
Transitions in leadership often spark questions about what’s going to change. Unfortunately, we have confronted these questions several times in the last few years. However, after meeting with and listening to Dr. Ferebee, I am confident that as the school system’s leader, he will bring not only stability but also a strong vision for our communities and for my fellow students to continue to grow.
When I met with Dr. Ferebee on behalf of all District students and families as part of his interview process, it was important to ask how he planned to build upon our existing success and continue building trust with the community. He has made it clear, both privately and publicly, that he comes to DCPS knowing that he does not yet have all the answers. However, he is committed to listening to our community, working together to tackle our issues, and clearly and proactively communicating his goals and findings along the way.
Since assuming the role of acting chancellor, Dr. Ferebee has sought opportunities to hear directly from students in schools across the city. He has visited schools in every ward, including two neighborhood tours led by students at Eastern High School and by my classmates and me at Ballou High School. Instead of deciding on his own what he thinks DCPS students need for success at a job or college after high school, he is spending time in our communities to hear from us directly.
I believe that we — the community members who live out the programs and policies that the chancellor puts in place — are best positioned to advise him. I look forward to seeing Dr. Ferebee out in the community even more in the coming months, listening to and learning from DCPS students and families. I am confident not only that he will engage us in decision-making, but that he will be transparent every step of the way.
Despite the challenges DCPS has experienced, we are a strong school system full of dedicated students who want to know that our leaders are coming together to lift us up, not just to shine a magnifying glass on us every time something goes wrong. I believe that Dr. Ferebee will mark the start of a new era in DCPS, one where all students are prepared for whatever comes after high school. I hope the DCPS community will join me in working alongside Dr. Ferebee to ensure success for every student.
Tatiana Robinson is a senior at Ballou High School; one of two student representatives on the DC State Board of Education; and a member of the Our Schools DC Leadership Committee, which conducted a community engagement process to advise the mayor during the selection of the next DC Public Schools chancellor.
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