Congratulations to Antwan Wilson: Reflections on his leadership in Oakland and what’s next for DC
Washington, DC, is far from the largest school district in America, but it’s carried outsized influence, not just because of its visibility in the nation’s capital, but because of the historic improvements and visionary leadership that have characterized DC education in recent years. Many have wondered who could fill the shoes of Kaya Henderson, who stepped down this fall as one of the most respected school leaders in the nation.
For all these reasons, we’re pleased that Mayor Muriel Bowser has chosen Antwan Wilson for the role.
Antwan, who has served for nearly three years as superintendent of schools in Oakland, California, is both a Chiefs for Change member and a member of our board. In choosing Antwan, DC gets a visionary leader whose heart has never quite left the classroom.
Where other leaders have devoted their time to the political parts of the job, Antwan has been exceptionally present in schools, often spending half-days in classrooms and in conversation with teachers and principals about instruction. But as someone who himself grew up under deeply challenging family circumstances, Antwan’s vision goes far beyond the academic, encompassing the “whole child.” Under his leadership, Oakland has become an epicenter for social-emotional learning, and he’s helped to convert schools into “full-service community schools,” including more than a dozen school-based health centers. But he also has brought a strong focus on improving operations, including a major pay raise for teachers and newfound financial stability for the district.
OUSD today stands markedly improved. Graduation rates have reached record high levels, following improvements led by groups that have lagged historically; dropout rates are down; out-of-school suspensions have dropped, and with them, juvenile arrests. College readiness rates are up, with increasing numbers of students graduating with college credit already in hand. Many key building blocks are in place to drive further improvement, which is needed; as Antwan reinforced in his recent State of the Schools Address, there’s much work ahead, especially in math and reading proficiency.
I’ve had the good fortune to talk regularly with Antwan about his work and his approach to leadership over the past year. Many things from those conversations stand out, but none more than this: “We have to empathize with kids, not sympathize with them,” he told me. “When we sympathize, we lower our expectations out of pity. When we empathize, we keep our expectations high while giving them the supports they need to achieve their dreams.”
The work of providing students the opportunity they deserve is far from done in Oakland — as Antwan has been the first to say. But he leaves in place a talented, thoughtful team. For DC, it’s a great move in a city that already knows how much leadership matters.
By Mike Magee | CEO, Chiefs for Change
