Elise Carter Awarded for Advocacy in Education

Early Advocacy and Community Response

Elise Carter first publicly introduced her vision for a social equity course at Highlands High School in the spring of 2021. The proposed course aimed to explore issues of social justice, intersectionality, and critical race theory (CRT). However, her efforts faced immediate pushback from certain parents and community members who perceived the curriculum as an attempt to indoctrinate students with CRT ideas. The controversy led to the cancellation of the course due to community opposition, illustrating the complex and contentious environment surrounding discussions of diversity and social justice in the region.

Continuing Commitment Beyond the Classroom

Despite the setback, Elise Carter and her colleague Trinity Walsh chose to continue their advocacy outside of the traditional school setting. Recognizing the importance of ongoing education on social issues, they established Northern Kentucky Inclusive Students in Education (NISE), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The initiative focuses on preparing students for college and careers through community-based programs, even as broader political debates threaten the inclusion of such topics in schools.

NISE Program Offerings and Educational Approach

The NISE program conducts sessions every Saturday over the course of a full year, with a registration fee of $50. The program includes a range of activities such as field trips, history lessons, and guest speaker events. Emphasizing understanding intersectionality, NISE aims to help students connect personal experiences with larger societal issues. The curriculum deliberately extends beyond mainstream historical figures, focusing instead on lesser-known narratives and voices that are often underrepresented in traditional education.

Participants learn about diverse histories, including the stories of Jewish communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, Native Americans, and Latinos. The approach seeks to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of social justice issues, moving beyond the standard versions of history taught in many schools.

Recognition and Awards

Elise Carter’s impactful work has garnered recognition through multiple awards. In 2024, she received the Innovative Teacher Award for Northern Kentucky and was a finalist for the Upstander Awards by The Nancy and David Wolf Holocaust and Humanity Center. The following year, she was honored with the Carter G. Woodson Memorial Award—an acknowledgment of her influence in advancing learning and social progress. She also received the Smith-Wilson Award for Civil and Human Rights in Education.

Teaching Career and Personal Motivation

Since 2012, Carter has served as a teacher at Highlands High School, where she pioneered as the first Black educator in the school. Her teaching focuses on business and leadership courses; however, she maintains a clear separation between her classroom responsibilities and her non-profit advocacy work, even as she encourages students to engage in honest conversations about societal issues.

Motivated personally by her role as mother to a Black son, Elise Carter emphasizes the importance of advocacy against marginalization and inequality. Her motivation underscores her dedication to creating inclusive spaces and advancing social understanding, despite challenges posed by recent legislative efforts aimed at restricting DEI initiatives in education.

Community Engagement and Future Directions

Carter’s approach integrates classroom education with active community involvement, including programs and opportunities for volunteers of all ages. Through her efforts, she aims to foster broader community understanding of diversity and inclusion, strengthening societal bonds and encouraging civic engagement.

As the political climate remains challenging for diversity efforts, Carter’s work exemplifies resilience and commitment to expanding awareness and understanding across all levels of society. Her recognition with the Carter G. Woodson Memorial Award highlights her role as a leader in this ongoing effort to build a more equitable and informed community.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Impact of COVID-19 School Closures in New York City

Additional Resources

• The Alpena News: Why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Cannot Be Canceled
• Sharon Herald: Holding Space for Good: Why DEI Cannot Be Canceled
• Soapbox Media: Northern Kentucky Organizations Address Housing Challenges
• National Review: The Battle for Public Education in Red America
• Link NKY: DEPs Officially Rebrands to Liquor Barn
• Wikipedia: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Google Search: Social Justice Education
• Google Scholar: Equity in Education
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Intersectionality
• Google News: Diversity Equity Inclusion

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