Dr. Jaime E. Welborn, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership in the School of Education at Saint Louis University, where she also serves as Assessment & Accreditation Coordinator and Educator Certification Officer. She earned a B.S. in Elementary Education and an M.S. in Educational Administration from Southern Illinois University, followed by a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at Saint Louis University. With more than two decades of experience in public education, including classroom teaching at the elementary and middle school levels, school administration, and graduate-level instruction, Dr. Welborn's scholarly and professional work focuses on Cultural Proficiency, collaborative leadership, teamwork, equity in student outcomes, organizational change, strategic planning, and program evaluation. From 2016 to 2019, she served as Program Director for the largest grant in the history of Saint Louis University's School of Education, awarded by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission, to support the implementation of the country's national educational and training policies. She has also applied culturally responsive leadership and educational practices internationally with Brace for Impact in Cap-Haitien, Haiti. Additionally, Dr. Welborn serves as Senior Associate for the Center for Culturally Proficient Educational Practice, providing leadership and consultation to advance equity-focused educational initiatives. In 2018, she founded JWE Education Consulting, LLC, which operates under The Jaime Welborn Group, Concinnity Solutions, and Midwest Collaborative, providing professional learning and leadership-focused consulting to school districts and mission-driven organizations nationwide. Her scholarly contributions include peer-reviewed journal articles, national conference presentations, and the 2022 book, Leading Change through the Lens of Cultural Proficiency: An Equitable Approach to Race and Social Class in Our Schools. Her recent research explores culturally proficient educational practices in public schools across the United States, the influence of Jesuit educational values on inclusive leadership preparation, and the advancement of culturally responsive organizational change. Dr. Welborn's work has been recognized with Saint Louis University's Faculty Excellence for Leadership and Service Award (2023) and the Outstanding Scholarship Award from the School of Education (2024). She resides in Saint Louis, Missouri, with her husband and two daughters. Peter Flores III, Ed.D., is the founder and principal consultant of Praxis Lead Equity, LLC, and a senior associate with the Center for Culturally Proficient Educational Practice (CCPEP). He previously served as the Director of Equity and a board member of the Center for Leadership Equity and Research (CLEAR). With more than 17 years in public education as a teacher and administrator, Dr. Flores is recognized for his leadership in advancing equity, cultural proficiency, and social justice in schools and organizations. He holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from California State University, Fresno. His work includes keynote speaking, consulting, and professional development for educators across California and the United States. He has facilitated cultural proficiency learning for federal and state agencies, county offices, school districts, and universities. He has presented at national conferences, the International Cultural Proficiency Institute, the Institute for Equity in Education, and the Museum of Tolerance's Tools for Tolerance for Educators program. Dr. Flores has contributed to the scholarship of equity-focused leadership through co-authored chapters in IGI Global and articles in the ACSA Leadership journal. His recent presentations at the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) highlighted cultural proficiency as a pathway to collective care, well-being, and socially just educational renewal. He also helped design the framework for the ACSA Equity Academy and served on the State Superintendent's Transition Team for Closing the Achievement Gap. In 2023, he earned a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certification from Cornell University. A former Naval Science teacher of NJROTC programs, Dr. Flores was recognized as a Bay Area Teacher of the Year finalist. He later served in administrative roles at the middle school, high school, community school, and district levels, most recently as Director of Student Services of a Joint Union High School District. Before entering education, Dr. Flores served 25 years honorably in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a Command Master Chief. A decorated veteran of multiple operations, he brings the discipline of military leadership together with a transformative vision for equity in education.
Navigate your classroom toward equity and ensure every student truly thrives. As classrooms grow increasingly diverse, teachers face the urgent challenge of bridging access gaps to create truly inclusive learning environments. Navigating Your True North in the Classroom is your practical, empathetic guide to addressing these complexities. By applying the Tools of Cultural Proficiency and the Compass Framework for Praxis, you will learn to transform your mindset, honor intersectionality, and build a positive environment where every learner feels a deep sense of belonging. This book will help you: Explore an actionable, asset-based framework to enhance curriculum, instruction, and assessment Discover strategies for restorative classroom management that prioritize student dignity and well-being Foster meaningful family and community engagement through open-minded, inclusive communication Reflect on real-world vignettes written by a dynamic group of K-12 educators Transform your teaching practice from the inside out. As you learn to confidently apply the Tools of Cultural Proficiency, your students will benefit from a more equitable, caring, and high-quality education.
Dedication Foreword by Delores B. Lindsey and Randall B. Lindsey Acknowledgements About the Authors Preface Introduction to the Compass Framework for Praxis Part I Chapter 1: Understanding Cultural Proficiency Chapter 2: Living Your Core Values Chapter 3: Transforming Your Practice with a Growth Mindset About the Contributors Part II Chapter 4: Culturally Competent Curriculum Chapter 5: Culturally Differentiated Instruction Chapter 6: Fair and Equitable Assessment Chapter 7: Feedback and Grading Part III Chapter 8: Proactive Classroom Management Chapter 9: Behavioral Interventions Chapter 10: Conflict Resolution and Restorative Practice Chapter 11: Social and Emotional Learning and Student Wellbeing Part IV Chapter 12: Relationships with Students and Their Families Chapter 13: Effective Cross-Cultural Communication Chapter 14: Family-Community Engagement and Projects Chapter 15: Collaborative Professional Partnerships Resources A: Culturally Proficient Lesson Plan B: 30-60-90 Culturally Proficient Teaching Plan C: Culturally Proficient Classroom Management Plan D: PLC Annual Cycle of Continuous Improvement E: Learning Strategies F: Cultivating Praxis Book Study G: Cultural Proficiency Books' Essential Questions H: Letters of Impact References