WASHINGTON – The incoming chancellor of D.C.’s schools, Antwan Wilson, said this week that he’s comfortable with a challenge.

“I only choose places that are tough,” he said, adding, “I’m unapologetically focused on the needs of kids.”

Thursday, Mayor Muriel Bowser’s nominee goes before the education committee and the council will vote in more than a week to confirm Wilson to lead D.C. schools.

As superintendent of schools in Oakland, California, for the last two years, Wilson has dealt with issues similar to those facing D.C. schools, such as a growing achievement gap between white and minority students.

“I like to attack equity issues head-on and say we need to address these things. And what I mean by that is not a bull in china shop. It’s  just to say: The extent to which this has been an issue, we’re going to talk about it, identify what some of the challenges are and identify solutions to address it. That determination is there,” he said.

At the Oakland Unified School District, Wilson said, he implemented college and career programs he’d like to see work in D.C.

“That’s of interest here. We can do that, and it can be resourced, and if it’s resourced, we can do it really well,” he said.

With a focus on academic social and emotional learning, Wilson also wants to do away with suspensions as a means of discipline.

“It’s amazing what happens when you require young people who have had a bad day to actually learn and do the work, as opposed to giving them a vacation. Imagine what happens when they are actually in school,” he said.

Wilson takes the place of Kaya Henderson, who resigned in October.