On Monday October 24, 2016, Ingrid M. Canady, SERC’s new Executive Director facilitated the first meeting of the Commissioner’s Roundtable for Family and Community Engagement in Education. The roundtable includes over 30 members intended to reflect a balanced representation of three major constituencies — school/district staff, parents (or guardians) and community members — as well as students. The members also are meant to reflect Connecticut’s geographic, economic, ethnic, and racial diversity.

The first meeting of the roundtable involved a discussion of the State Board of Education’s comprehensive plan and focused on deep discussion about one priority identified in the plan: the need to have great teachers and leaders who collectively reflect the rich cultural diversity in Connecticut and are culturally responsive instructors.