Stephanie Holland is the METCO Director for Wellesley Public Schools. This is her first year in the role. As Director, she is a member of the district administrative council and leadership teams at the middle and high school. She also serves as a district Equity Facilitator working with teachers around cultural proficiency and oversees all aspects of the program of 157 students. Stephanie also works with community groups who support the program. She collaborates with the executive board of Friends of Wellesley METCO around fundraising initiatives to support academic achievement, and with the Wellesley METCO Parent Council to promote community within the families in the program. During her first year, she initiated restorative justice training for all academic coordinators. She is proud that Wellesley was chosen as a Committed District by METCO HQ, and has worked closely with senior administration around racial equity. She also serves on the REI Committee at METCO HQ. She is excited that this summer will bring the first METCO Reading Program for rising 6th graders that will provide students the opportunity to create community and explore identity in literature before beginning their middle school journey. Prior to coming to Wellesley, Stephanie spent 20 years in education mostly as an upper elementary school teacher. She has extensive knowledge and experience about project-based learning and is passionate about writing curriculum through a DEI lens. Stephanie also worked as an academic coordinator for the METCO Program in Sudbury, where she grew up. She is a certified SEED leader (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) and facilitates teacher workshops around race, gender, and class. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from The University of Rochester and a Masters of Art in Teaching from Simmons University. Stephanie's favorite part of her job is spending time with students and thinks that there is no happier place than reading to kindergartners on the rug.