As I prepare for the end of the school year, I am reflecting on the progress and opportunities ahead. A decade after the 2007 Virginia Tech shootings, the frequency of school shootings has become frightening as politicians argue for arming teachers rather than implementing ways to reduce gun violence. Decades after legislation ended segregation, we face underfunded schools segregated by zip codes in impoverished predominately minority communities.
As I held our first high school graduation for one early graduate in a prison, I was left reflecting on how higher-poverty schools are feeding the school-to-prison pipeline and reinforcing generational poverty. This year has been a year of personal loss, reflection and a reminder of the urgency that there is a lot of work remaining to do and many are counting on us.
On April 10, 2016, I met Linda Brown Thompson – of Brown vs. Board of Education – at church as I visited churches before I began as the new superintendent of the Topeka Public School District. Watching her at St. Mark’s AME Church as the humble, quiet spirit who played the piano during service was a reminder of the importance of humbly serving the community. It was not until the end of service that I learned the woman at the piano was the Linda Brown. The next week when I visited St. John’s AME, imagine my surprise when I met her mother, Leola Brown, who was 95. Both talked with me with such hope in their voice, and my purpose to be in Topeka was clearer than ever.
A year and a half later, Topeka has made gains – we won the Equity Award from the National School Boards Association for removing barriers, the graduation rate at all five high schools improved in 2017 for the first time, we expanded college courses, and we opened clothing and food shelters. Our Topeka Clinic, modeled after the SPOT in Jennings, will open in August. However, it’s not enough.
As the first African-American female superintendent in Topeka, I stand on the shoulders of Linda Brown Thompson and her family, as we all do. As I reflect on how life is orchestrated to give us all the opportunity to live our purpose, to humbly serve and advocate for others, it’s my hope that the youth marches against gun violence resulting in some new legislation is just the beginning of the awakening of a generation that can change the world.
I recently went to the first movie by myself since my husband, Dr. Stanley Ladelle Anderson, transitioned to everlasting life last August. The movie was “I Can Only Imagine.” Unlike others in line, I was alone, and there was one seat in the front row so I went to it. I didn’t realize until sitting in the movie that it was about the song we played at my husband’s memorial service. Listening to that left me tearfully thinking about the transformational work ahead that must be done so we make this world better. Many who have passed away are counting on it, including my dear husband, who touched more lives than I can ever imagine.
God speaks in so many ways. It’s my prayer we are all listening and that we all work collectively to do our part to transform the world.
Tiffany Anderson is superintendent of the Topeka Public School District.
