initiatives
current projects
Mentoring
EIS mentors fellow educators about how to incorporate anti-racism into their curriculums and classroom policies, and how to be agents for change in their schools and school districts.
Learning sessions
EIS hosts live and virtual events — including learning sessions, lectures and experts panels — featuring some of the leading figures in education reform.
policy engagement
EIS has successfully advocated for reforms to school disciplinary policies at district and state levels, and we continue to engage elected officials at the school, district and state levels in various capacities, including monthly listening circles.
Past successes
Fall 2016
Hosted a series of informational sessions with educators, parents and students in the Austin school district about the benefits of ending suspensions for Pre-K to 2nd grade students.
January 2017
Partnered with Black Pflugerville, an organization encouraging informed and active participation of Black people in the city of Pflugerville, to host “Young, Gifted and Black,” a panel discussion with the PfISD school board about the lack of minority students in gifted programs.
February 2017
In collaboration with advocacy group Texas Appleseed, lobbied the Austin school board to end suspensions for all Pre-K to 2nd grade students.
June 2017
The ban on suspensions for all Pre-K to 2nd grade students is signed into Texas state law.
May 2018
Hosted a panel discussion at Huston-Tillotson University about the need for a culturally responsive curriculum in the Austin school district.
Spring 2019, 2021
Met with state representatives during Texas’ 86th legislative session to advocate for anti-racist policies in public schools.
September 2020
Hosted the largest event in EIS history, a 10-day virtual conference featuring elected officials, school administrators, social workers and professional educators. More than 800 people attended.
November 2021
EIS member Tiffanie Harrison is elected as trustee to the Round Rock (TX) ISD School Board.
October 2022
November 2022
EIS member Candace Hunter is elected as trustee to the Austin (TX) ISD School Board.
Winter 2022
Coordinated our 50th listening circle to uplift educator and community voices. To date, EIS has hosted. 250 community participants, 10 State Representatives and Board of Education members, 23 school board trustees, 14 City Council Members, numerous candidates and school district leaders on various topics that center equity in Central Texas schools and communities.
Expanding membership
Our members are involved in six ISDs as well as various non-profit schools and universities in Central Texas and are continually advocating for a more equitable education system.