ABOUT US

IEEPE is committed to helping children of color and economically disadvantaged students
attending DC Public Schools avoid achieve self-sufficiency,
and reach their full potential and succeed and thrive in the
21^st century global economy.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Institute for Equity and Excellence in Public Education (IEEPE) is to improve educational and life outcomes for children of color and economically disadvantaged students attending DC public schools. IEEPE works to achieve its mission by engaging in advocacy for education reform, providing programming to students, and providing training to educators and parents.

VISION STATEMENT

The vision of IEEPE is to ensure that every DC public school student has access to the high quality education, resources, and opportunity they need to compete and thrive in the 21^st century global economy and reach their full potential.

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men”

~ Frederick Douglass

WHAT WE DO

ADVOCACY

Advocate for educational policies and practices that promote equal access to high quality education, resources, and opportunity for students of color and economically disadvantaged youth attending DC Public and Schools.

PROGRAMMING

Provide programming to improve academic, social-emotional, and life outcomes for at-risk, DC youth.

TRAINING

Empower parents to become informed and effective educational advocates for school reform meet the needs of their children

LEADERSHIP

LaFonda Willis is the Founder and CEO of the Institute for Equity and Excellence in Public Education (IEEPE), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving educational and life outcomes for children attending public schools in urban school districts. Ms. Willis is also the Education Chair for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) DC Branch, Education Chair for the National African-American Drug Policy Coalition (NAADPC) – DC Chapter, Parliamentarian for the Ward 5 Education Council, and Devotion to Community Chair for the University of Miami Alumni Club – DC Canes Chapter. As Chair for the NAACP DC and NAADPC Education Committees, Ms. Willis engages in advocacy and implements programming to promote equal access to high-quality education, resources, and opportunity for at-risk DC youth.

Before launching IEEPE, LaFonda was a Administrator (Dean of Students) for DC Public Schools. As a Dean of Students, she decreased out-of-school suspension rates by 80 to 100 percent and office discipline referrals by 60 to 80 percent at one of the district’s high-need, lowest performing schools. Ms. Willis was rated Highly-Effective during her administrative tenure, earning a 3.85 IMPACT score on a 4.0 scale. In her dual capacity as a DCPS Administrator and NAACP DC Education Chair, Ms. Willis implemented a 5-component mentoring program for African-American and Hispanic boys that decreased office discipline referrals, improved student behavior, and increased student engagement, student achievement, and student satisfaction with school.

Prior to transitioning to Educational Administration, Ms. Willis was an Educator at John Greenleaf Whittier Education Campus in Northwest, Washington, DC. During her tenure at Whittier, Ms. Willis was an elementary and middle school English Teacher who achieved outstanding results. In school year 2012 – 2013, Ms. Willis moved 18 out of 22 fourth grade students from “Below Basic” and “Basic” to “Proficient” and “Advanced” in reading. In school year 2013 – 2014, Ms. Willis earned a score of 3.3, on a scale of 1 to 4, on her Individual Value Added (IVA) Assessment. (IVA is a statistical measure of teacher impact on student growth on standardized tests). In school year 2014 – 2015, Ms. Willis moved 83 percent of students in grades 6, 7, and 8 (to include English Language Learning, Special Education, and General Education students), 2.6 grade levels on the Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI). (SRI is a research-based assessment that measures reading comprehension skills). As a Teacher, Ms. Willis also diverted students from the School to Prison Pipeline. For three consecutive school years, she leveraged innovative and evidence-based practices to reduce student infractions by 60% to 100%. Ms. Willis was rated a Highly-Effective Educator and Administrator by District of Columbia Public Schools and lovingly shared her practices with colleagues through coaching and school and district-wide professional development.

Ms. LaFonda Willis has a Masters in Teaching from the University of the District of Columbia’s Center for Urban Education, a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice, from the University of Toledo (OH), and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Miami (FL). Ms. Willis has also completed educational programs at American University in Washington, DC, The University of Ghana – East Legon, in Ghana, West Africa, and Oxford University in Exeter, England. In 2013, LaFonda Willis was awarded the Dr. Paul Phillip Cooke Award from the University of the District of Columbia – Center for Urban Education, for her demonstrated commitment to diversity, excellence, and transformation in Urban Education. In 2015, both DCPS Teachers and Students nominated Ms. LaFonda Willis “LifeChanger of the Year”.

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

JUDGE ARTHUR BURNETT, SR. (RET)

Washington, DC

CHRISTINE NGUESSAN

Washington, DC

JOHN MATTHEWS, III,

Washington, DC

BRICE AKOLY DOGBEH

Washington, DC