We believe equity and justice are daily commitments lived out in classrooms, school buildings, and community partnerships across our city. That’s why we are proud to celebrate three voices from our district featured in the Spring 2025 edition of Equity for Change, a peer-reviewed journal produced by Millersville University’s College of Education and Human Services.
This edition’s theme, Equity & Justice in Education, serves as a platform for educators, scholars, and community leaders to explore some of the most urgent issues shaping public education today. Among the contributors are our very own Superintendent Dr. Keith Miles, Burrowes Elementary School’s Community School Director Dr. Alex Rohrer, and Reynolds Middle School Communications Arts Teacher Ty Bair, each sharing their unique perspectives, research, and lived experiences to advance the conversation on educational equity and justice.
Dr. Keith Miles | Equity in Education: Bridging the Funding Gap
In his article, Dr. Miles addresses one of the most persistent and deeply rooted injustices in Pennsylvania’s public education system: inequitable funding. Pennsylvania ranks among the worst in the nation for school funding equity, with districts like ours bearing the brunt of these disparities. Dr. Miles draws on data and on-the-ground realities to illustrate how underfunding directly impacts students’ access to high-quality education, instructional resources, and wraparound supports.
But Dr. Miles doesn’t just outline the problem, he offers solutions. The article lifts up a model implemented in the School District of Lancaster that supports the creation of inclusive learning environments where all students are seen, valued, and empowered. By investing in culturally responsive teaching, targeted mental health support, and restorative practices, SDoL has begun to transform its approach to equity, not as a destination, but as a continuous process rooted in justice.
Dr. Alex Rohrer | Inequitable Causes and Effects: Teacher Burnout and Care
In a compelling examination of teacher attrition, Dr. Rohrer explores how burnout, particularly among teachers of color, has reached crisis levels. His article brings forth sobering statistics: in Pennsylvania, over 15% of Black teachers leave the profession annually, a rate significantly higher than that of their White or Hispanic peers. The consequences of this loss reverberate far beyond the classroom, disrupting school communities and depriving students of the benefits of a diverse teaching workforce.
Dr. Rohrer argues that the roots of burnout lie not only in workload and policy, but in the broader systemic inequities that leave teachers, especially teachers of color, without adequate care. He highlights a critical barrier: the lack of racially diverse mental health professionals who can provide culturally relevant support. His work calls for intentional investment in teacher wellness and retention strategies that affirm and support educators as whole people, not just as professionals.
Mr. Bair brings a deeply personal and reflective lens to his contribution. He shares his own educational journey, shaped by poverty and adversity, and the transformative power of mentorship that changed the trajectory of his life. His story is both heart-wrenching and hopeful, reminding us of the role educators can play in not only teaching students, but walking alongside them as trusted allies.
Inspired by that experience, Ty co-created a mentoring program alongside colleague Shayne Meadows that addresses the systemic issues of inequitable funding and lack of teacher diversity, issues he experienced both as a student and now witnesses as a teacher. His article is a call to action for schools to invest in mentorship and relationship-building as tools for educational justice and student success.
Collective commitment, collective voice
The inclusion of these three SDoL voices in Equity for Change is a reflection of our district’s commitment to equity and justice in public education. We are proud to stand alongside other educators and community leaders featured in this edition, each working to dismantle inequities and build systems that honor the full humanity of every student.
We also thank Millersville University’s College of Education and Human Services for creating this vital space. Equity for Change is a movement, and SDoL is proud to be part of it.
As we continue this work in our schools and city, we carry the voices of our students, families, and educators with us.