Award: Valuing Diversity Name: Michele Bowers Title: Superintendent, Lancaster School District Region: 15 For Lancaster School District Superintendent Michele Bowers, valuing diversity is about a lot more than a mission statement. “Valuing diversity in schools isn’t just one thing that we do. It isn’t a cute poster, a book in the library or classroom, or a sign proclaiming everyone is welcome,” she said. “Valuing diversity is the way we interact with each other at every level.” It’s this commitment to understanding and promoting diversity that has earned Bowers ACSA’s 2019 Valuing Diversity Award. Valuing diversity starts with people, and Bowers works to build authentic, trusting relationships with students, staff and families. “Though we are a good-sized district, I am intentional in spending time learning about people ­— their family, their interests, what they do for relaxation,” she said. “I also allow them to learn about me, Michele the person, not just Michele the superintendent.”   She also makes time to visit schools and see the wonderful things happening — and then share them through her newsletter and social media. “I strongly believe that if we don’t tell our own story and celebrate and promote the positive, then why would we expect someone else to do that for us?” she said.    Having strong relationships has helped in tackling tough issues, especially those around equity. Bowers said addressing inequities has involved multiple strategies, including open conversations during PLC meetings, hiring a Chief Academic Officer of Student Equity, Access, and Outcomes, holding trainings to uncover personal bias, and creating an Equity Design Team that has taken a systems approach to change. Recognizing that 87 percent of the district’s students come from low socio-economic backgrounds, Bowers was responsible for the creation of a Welcome and Wellness Center, which better connects families to community-based services such as immunizations, health care, clothing, support for at-risk youth, and mental health.