Brent Stephens will be the new superintendent of the Lafayette School District as of July 1, the district announced Thursday.
Stephens has served in the same role for the Berkeley Unified School District the past three years. Before that, he was the chief academic officer of the San Francisco Unified School District, where he oversaw curriculum, coaching, and professional development.
“The board has enthusiastically selected Dr. Stephens to be our next Superintendent and we are thrilled to have him join our family.” district governing board president Rob Sturm said in a statement. “The appointment process underscored that Lafayette is unquestionably a destination district, as it produced many worthy applicants.
One candidate, however, clearly stood out in all respects — we have great confidence that Dr. Stephens will be a tremendous addition, continuing our district’s long-standing tradition of inspiring superintendent leadership.”
Stephen began his career as a Spanish bilingual teacher in Oakland, and later in Boston, supporting immigrant students and their families. While in Boston, Stephens achieved national board certification, the country’s highest professional distinction.
The district said Stephens’ “experience as a school principal in both elementary and middle school settings has helped build on his knowledge of standards-based teaching, scaffolding and differentiation, and the positive role that students’ own backgrounds and cultures should play in classrooms.”
In San Francisco, Stephens led the creation and implementation of innovative curriculum in all subject areas, and worked closely on special education issues, including more equitable redistribution of special day classes around the district and research-based approaches to reading instruction.
Under his leadership in Berkeley, Stephens partnered with the community to provide needed outside resources and support to families through an innovative “Ed Hub” partnership. The district also passed a $380 million school construction bond during his time, as well as measures to increase teacher salaries and recruitment, and retention of teachers of color.
“I’m excited to join the Lafayette community and begin to get to know the students, families, and staff who make the Lafayette School District such a well-regarded district,” Stephens said in a statement. “I honor the values that I see in Lafayette: high expectations, support for each student to grow in a nurturing environment, and strong community bonds.”
Stephens holds a doctorate from Harvard University and his work on school reform has been published by Harvard Education Press.
Well if you are happy with Latinx and equity he’s your guy.
When you wanta make a hard left, turn to Berkeley
There goes the Lafayette school system.
Right? We had considered moving there for the schools, but we will just stay in private school now. Sick of this woke crap.
Berkeley? Ew.
By this summary, sounds like this guy knows how to spend money and implement instruction on topics that focus on the latest defined social justice paradigm. Oddly, what I did not see provided is the amount of money it took Lafayette to get this guy. How much are tax payers on the hook to pay his undoubtedly exorbitant salary?
The last guy made $225K base salary plus another $46K in benefits.
Oh no, guess it’s time to lower the standards in Lafayette. First SF and then Beserkely left in ruins. Next up is Lafayette to be laid to waste…
Harvard is a joke now have you seen what’s been going on in these colleges for the last 65 years? They are a joke. The proof? Where are any new inventions or technology? All these “educators” focus on is race and sex which has not benefitted American families or brought about any real progress. Progressives haha laughable ideology liberalism is a joke and so are its believers btw middle finger to republicans your weak sauce as well and full of traitors
Nothing this guy has done applies to Lafayette.
He’s an SJW, pro-equity guy in a district with few low-income households. His arguments about equity will ring true with his fellow upper middle-class SJWs in Lafayette, but there is no equity to be had.
Maybe he’ll focus on racism?
Unfortunately for him, the demand for racism far exceeds the supply.
San Francisco and Berkeley?? Someone please tell the champagne socialists in Lafayette making these kinds of decisions that someone from the dumpster fire that is SF/Berkeley is the last person we need as Superintendent. Signed, a lifelong Lafayette resident who is disgusted with the “progressives” that have taken over this area.
So very woke. Lafayette has swallowed the woke propaganda…
Looks like sleepy Lafayette will be awoke
Walnut Creek is next.
But look on the bright side, they will have some really fast swimmers competing as women.