In a powerful evening of reflection, inspiration, and celebration, the 可乐视频 Educational Leadership Program welcomed Christina Foti, deputy chancellor of the Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning (DIAL) for New York City Public Schools, to honor its graduating cohort on May 22.
Foti, a champion for equity and access in education, leads the charge at DIAL in ensuring that students who have been marginalized historically鈥攑articularly those in special education and multilingual learning鈥攔eceive the resources and opportunities they deserve.
鈥淲hen students are denied access to inclusive, high-quality learning, they are being denied opportunity,鈥� Foti said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why the work of leadership鈥攜our work鈥攊s not only instructional. It鈥檚 civic. It鈥檚 human. It鈥檚 deeply moral.鈥�
Her keynote address resonated deeply with the audience, urging future school leaders to see their roles not just as administrators, but as stewards of equity and humanity. 鈥淟eadership doesn鈥檛 grow in isolation,鈥� she reminded them. 鈥淚t grows in relationships. It grows through shared struggle and shared responsibility.鈥�
Foti closed with a stirring call to action for the soon-to-be leaders stepping into schools across New York City: 鈥淟ead with clarity, but also with compassion. Lead with urgency, but also with patience. Listen well. Reflect often. Keep children and families at the center of your decisions.鈥�
The event also featured words of wisdom from Educational Leadership Program Director and Professor Gerald Maraia, Dean of the School of Education Mar铆a R. Scharr贸n-del R铆o, and Professor David Bloomfield. The evening culminated with heartfelt speeches by student representatives Connor Burgevin, Nindja Castro, and Chana Kashi, each nominated by their cohort to speak on behalf of their peers.
