As a former foster child, Superintendent Roberto Padilla of Newburgh, N.Y., identifies with students who face barriers to achieving their goals. He is on a mission to root out decades of uneven resources and other inequities in the Newburgh school district that for decades have held too many students back—especially those who are black, Latino, and low-income. “My primary goal for doing this work is to ensure that 12,000 scholars have real options,” says Padilla. “We’re not an inclusive school district yet where every child experiences excellence, but it’s where we want to be.” This video was produced as part of Education Week’s Leaders To Learn From project, recognizing outstanding school district leaders from around the country. Read more at https://leaders.edweek.org.
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