As many of you know, I have been on leave for the past month. This time away has gifted me with the opportunity to reflect on my time with all of you and the work we are privileged to lead. It has also gifted me with undivided time and attention for my own children and family. Now on the other side of this month of reflection, I have come to the clarity that I must step aside as the ED of CalSAC.

I believe that our field is on the cusp of leading a transformative movement to redefine what education can and should look like in order to holistically support all of our children. As an organization that is rooted in actively anti-racist and anti-classist principles, CalSAC remains committed to our partnerships and will continue to dig deep and get to the root of what (re)creates cycles and systems of dehumanization. Through and after this transition, the CalSAC team and Board will continue to strive to both sow the ways of being and build the supporting structures that will manifest the qualities of grace, love, learning and joy that I know we each want for ourselves, one another, our families, our communities and in our programs.

As for me, I will be developing a small school as I homeschool my own preschooler twins by creating a nature-based environment and Afrocentric Montessori curriculum infused with radical liberatory principles that support Black Boy joy! I wish you each and all your own meaningful joy and am deeply grateful for the transformative life lessons I have culled from our time together.

Isabelle Mussard