Equity in Education: Building Inclusive Schools with Cameron Poole *81

In this episode, Dr. Poole shares his insights on navigating DEI work amidst politically charged times and emphasizes the importance of process improvement and stakeholder experience. They discuss how to identify and support students who fall through the margins, the significance of PD, and the need for cultural consciousness over competence. Cameron also highlights the role of data-driven decision-making and intentionality in creating equitable learning environments. 

Cameron’s call to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, Justice, and human advocacy started long before he considered himself a professional in those areas. As a Senior in college, he studied abroad in Cape Town, South Africa as a Fieldworker Intern with the Black Sash Trust. In the field, he used the Black Sash strategy of Community-Based Monitoring which provides a mechanism for civil society to gather and analyze information from the service users’ points of view, which was then transcribed and used as a strategy for change with local and national governments.

Cameron currently serves as the Chief Officer of Equity, Inclusion, and Accountability / Title IX Compliance Coordinator with the School District of Clayton (MO). Prior to his stint in Clayton, Cameron served as an Assistant Principal in the Rockwood School District, and a teacher in the Parkway School District. He also currently serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Equity & Excellence Masters Certificate Program for McDaniel College and the Doctorate of Educational Leadership Program (Urban Policies and Leadership) for Maryville University. Cameron is also the Founder + Principal of his own consulting firm, Strategies for Solutions, LLC. Strategies for Solutions is a social equity and educational consultancy that specializes in the following: Strategic Planning and Visioning, Community Engagement, DEI, and Organizational Development.

Cameron obtained an undergraduate degree in History, with an emphasis on American History Post-Reconstruction, and a Sociology Minor, from Truman State University. He also has a Master of Teaching/Education from Webster University, a Master of Educational Administration from Missouri Baptist University, and a Doctorate of Educational Leadership from Maryville University.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/doc-cameron-poole/