Our Voices, our Schools - March 2009
This we feature Ty Schwoeffermann, Community and Faith Advocate for the Back Parent Initiative. Mr. Schwoeffermann is a graduate of the University of Oregon and a product of the Portland Public school system. Before BPI he worked for the Obama campaign as a field organizer.
(Below are abridged versions of Mr. Schwoefferman's responses. You can view the complete interview on here.)
What motivated you to decide to work with the Black Parent Initiative?
My background is grounded in my understanding of who I am and also my belief that America can be as good as its promise. That is precisely why I fit so well with this organization because BPI does not just talk about action, we are also working towards change. The achievement gap is a big problem that I hope I have an impact on over the coming years.
After the release of the Achievement Gap data, what are the next steps you would like to see taken for the current and future generations of Oregon students?
I realize that this effort is going to take the entire community. At BPI we follow an African Proverb "it takes a community to raise a child". The achievement gap will only close if we as a community decide to make it a priority.
Partnering with other communities of color and any allies to this struggle is also important. Our coalition will be 100% inclusive for anyone who wants to work towards closing the achievement gap.
