Data and education for Social Justice: Ivette M. Dubiel

At Tableau, we feel that data skills are essential for the next generation of professionals and business leaders. The Tableau Academic Programs seek to arm students and instructors with the valuable analytical skills needed to think strategically and make an impact.

Data is such an important piece of the social justice puzzle, and using critical data skills can drive insights into real actionable change. 

In our series, Data and Education for Social Justice, we’re excited to spotlight people in the education community that are making a difference in the social justice world. These spotlights will highlight five main principles of social justice: 

• Access to resources 
• Equity 
• Participation
• Diversity 
• Human Rights

Learn more about Systemic Educational Equity, LLC’s Chief Equity Officer, Dr. Ivette M. Dubiel. In her role, she provides a wide range of equity-focused support, mentoring, and professional development to school districts across Illinois. Dr. Dubiel currently leads the Illinois Coalition of Education Equity Leaders and is a member of the Illinois State Board of Education's Diverse and Learner Ready Teacher Network. She also currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at Lewis University and Aurora University, where she teaches theories of instructional approaches for diverse students, diversity and social justice, and critical transformative leadership. 

Do you feel that data should be discussed in terms of Social Justice? Why?

Data provides critical information, tells a story, and allows us to make informed decisions to identify our areas of strength and needed improvement. With a social justice lens, data can aid us in advising the transformative shifts necessary to serve our stakeholders.

Why is it important in your field of work?

In my work, data is foundational and utilized as a consistent gauge to monitor our progress. Data can be utilized in endless ways to measure and demonstrate equity movement. 

How do you see Academia supporting these efforts?

Academia can support these efforts by ensuring a high-quality dashboard or data system is readily available for staff members. Also by providing proper training on data analysis and how it can inform practice. 

What can instructors do?

Instructors can list all the ways data can inform their practice, start to implement data collection, and analyze with a critical lens right away. Even if the school or district does not currently have a system in place to readily collect and organize this information for staff, instructors can start small. 

What can students do?

Students can set their goals and monitor progress using grade-appropriate data for themselves in just about every content. It can be a powerful practice for students.

And lastly, what is a personal motto that you live by?

“You're on the right side of history. Keep moving forward.”

Connect with Dr. Ivette M. Dubiel

LinkedIn
Follow her on Twitter: @IvetteDubiel
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Since 2011, Tableau Academic programs have enabled more than 1.5 million students and teachers around the world with critical data skills. As data literacy increases in importance, learning analytics with Tableau will help students and educators make an impact in their communities. If you have a story for our Data and education for Social Justice series, reach out to us here.