Trudy T. Arriaga - Opening Doors: An Implementation Template for Cultural Proficiency

This powerfully insightful and thought-provoking book takes us on a journey to culturally proficient actions. Through a key component of cross-cultural dialogue, complimenting Frasiers concept of participatory parity, Arriaga and Lindsey lead us on a path of change that is both very clear and absolutely necessary.

Rosemary Papa

Professor

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, AZ

A much welcomed guide for any district who has made the commitment to the Cultural Proficiency Journey. I appreciated the templates for educators to challenge our current practices in examining the opening and closing of doors for our students and their families. It really provides the next steps in moving forward through the narratives, activities, and reflections. It keeps those hard conversations moving forward. The authors challenge districts to examine practices that create inequity. I will be using the Walking Forward activity as a next step in our districts journey.

Lorie Henderson

Superintendent of Educational Services and Programming

School District of Mystery Lake

Thompson, Manitoba

Endeavors toward culturally proficient values are critical in a time where we struggle to answer Why cant we close the educational gap? This book describes the determination of one district to answer this question through systemic professional learning. For districts and universities serious about making a difference in the lives of students, this is a must read.

Miriam Ezzani

Clinical Associate Professor in Educational Leadership

Department of Teacher Education and Administration, University of North Texas

Denton, TX

The power of action to assure access and equity to open the doors for all students was evident in VUSDs commitment to examine inequities and practices from the administration level to all who serve their students. This book provides inspiration for those institutions that are examining and asking the difficult question of, Where do we even begin? The activities provided are invaluable to building those conversations and reflections that will move institutions to widen their cultural lens.

Lori Piowlski

Assistant Professor

Minnesota State University

Mankato, MN

The authors have provided the most comprehensive blueprint for starting or revamping an institutions program for Cultural Proficiency by allowing one to start with self-understanding before addressing others. Emphasizing that changes happen when leaders use Cultural Proficiency to do their work!

Thomas Christie

Multicultural/Community Administrator

Lincoln Public Schools

Lincoln, NE

Opening Doors is an excellent companion text to Culturally Proficient Leadership. This text provides a framework for schools and districts to begin to critically examine and actualize changes to move towards a more equitable and inclusive environment. If your school or district is ready to move from talking the talk to walking the walk this text will assist you in your journey.

Melissa Nixon

Director of Title I

Guilford County Schools

Greensboro, NC

This book provides an easy to read description of Cultural Proficiency in action. School Leaders will be inspired and understand the urgency of putting a plan into action.

Cesar Morales

Superintendent

Oxnard School District

Oxnard, CA

Opening Doors: An Implementation Template for Cultural Proficiency is a master piece that provides educators and leaders a roadmap for individual and organizational transformation. The literature is a shining example of transformative leadership at its best! Dr. Arriaga and Dr. Lindsey offer an array of Cultural Proficiency applications, activities, and references as a guide for implementation and practice. It is exuberating to see how Ventura Unified School District brought theory into practice that directly influenced the individual and organizational core values to benefit their students!

Joseph M. Domingues

Principal

Santa Maria High School

Santa Maria, CA

I first met Trudy Arriaga at an International Cultural Proficiency Institute where she introduced me to her concept of Opening Doors and asked us the Are we who we say we are? question that she instituted at Ventura Unified School District. I recall at that time realizing how well her concepts fit within the Tools of Cultural Proficiency. Her perspective of Opening Doors and questioning whether or not our words matched our action truly caused me to reflect deeply, and I have since incorporated this perspective into my culturally proficient staff development. Trudy has solidified my belief in Cultural Proficiency as being absolutely necessary for improving our schools organizational culture in a way that will help close the achievement gap. Her book will be at the top of my list as a must read recommendation for all my colleagues at the District Office.

Peter Flores III

Director of Student Services

Santa Maria Joint Union High School District

Santa Maria, CA

An Implementation Template for Cultural Proficiency

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