FACULTY/STAFF AGENDA

Breakout Session I

Classroom Circles: Developing Belonging in the Classroom | Thamar Lebrón Fernández (Providence Day School)
Have you wondered how to make your classroom more inclusive? How do I get my students to participate in class discussions? Classroom Circles can help teachers develop a sense of belonging and a positive classroom culture that embraces differences. It allows students to feel represented within a safe, supportive space to discuss sensitive topics, work through differences, and build consensus.

Repairing Harm Among Staff: "You Can't Say That!" | New Garden Friends School: Carolyn Howes (Head of Lower School), Tanisha Jones (Head of Middle and Upper School), Allie Blosser (Upper School Academic Dean & College Counselor)
Even in progressive schools, conversations about diversity can be messy. But it is only through acknowledging the messiness that communities can have more courageous conversations. This presentation documents the missteps and subsequent steps toward reconciliation one school community took after several instances of hurtful language. The presentation will foster discussion about how schools approach DEIJ, the obstacles they encounter in that work, and how schools repair harm when it occurs.

Financial Freedom for Everyone | Brian Li and James Edge (Providence Day School)
The state of education in America is in dire shape. Teachers of color are overworked and underpaid. Across the nation, they are leaving the profession in droves. The racial wealth gap continues to expand as too many of us struggle to save for retirement. Yet, our value in the classroom has never been more important. Financial freedom is not a dream; the time to invest and take care of your financial wellness is now. In this accessible, interactive, and informative session, we will demystify investing, saving for retirement, and generational wealth building. The presenters will also share a wealth of resources with you so that you can continue your journey toward financial freedom well beyond this presentation.

Teaching Black Literature Holistically | Steven McGill (Davidson Day School)
In this session, we will discuss ways to incorporate African-American literature into literature-based classes without separating it from other ethnicities and literature from different parts of the world. The presentation aims to show how African-American literature fits into the picture of American literature and the larger picture of World literature. When taught in such a manner, studying African-American literature can be a very enlightening, inclusive experience for all.

Underground Railroad Tour
(This group will eat lunch during the Keynote.)

Affinity Groups or Breakout 1a

Personal Identity Fellowship Session | Estelle Stokes Bowden (Greensboro Day School), Mia Gray (Greensboro Day School)
“Am I the only one who just heard that?“ ” “This is a lot harder than I thought it would be.”

If you have ever said these words to yourself, this is the session for you! We invite you to join a Personal Identity Fellowship session to connect with your people, often known as Affinity Groups. During this session you will “celebrate identities, share successes and challenges, and engage freely” (NAIS, 2023).

We recognize that a session of this magnitude requires training of facilitators prior to the conference. We would like to offer two Zoom sessions for all facilitators of the PIFs.  If you are interested in being a facilitator please email Ayesha Swinton [email protected] and she will share Zoom dates and times that will be held in January.

Mandalas for Mindfulness | Carey Jackson-Adams, she/her (Greensboro Day School)
Mandalas are geometric patterns, most often circular, with spiritual and artistic significance. These designs symbolize unity, balance, and wholeness in various cultures throughout history. Mandalas can serve as meditation aids, promoting mindfulness and inner harmony. Come ready to engage in this relaxing art form and take back information on implementing this simple and fun approach to mindfulness with your students. All materials provided. No visual arts experience is necessary

Master Storyteller and Spoken Word Poet, Hannah Hasan opens us up to the power of understanding and using our personal stories in building community and movement-making. This keynote address, Let Our Stories Sustain Us, includes a live poetry performance from Hannah and a live storytelling performance by professional storytellers from her company, Epoch Tribe. Hannah will lead participants through a short masterclass of unearthing and writing their stories. This will conclude with a story slam, as participants are invited to share the stories that they have written.

Breakout Session II

Practical Ideas for DEIJB in the Classroom | Jennifer Barfield (Friends School of Wilmington)
It is with a large degree of certainty that students who are exposed to different cultures and ethnicities during their educational years experience a level of comfort and familiarity with mixed communities of people as they navigate the world around them. This workshop session is designed to provide teachers with ideas to facilitate instruction for diversity through a mixed media of visual, auditory, and manipulative approaches: Pre-K through eighth grades.

Coloring Outside the Lines: Intersectionality & Neurodiversity | Dr. Laura Grantmyre (independent) and Dr. Tai Collins Hinkins (Saint Mary's School)
Neurodiversity is rarely acknowledged in independent school environments and even less so among adults. However, providing concrete support for neurodivergent adults and students requires additional focus from DEIB practitioners, school leaders, and personnel serving in human resources. Intersectionality and neurodiversity are key to understanding the “cultural potholes” within organizations that impede employee and student wellness and sense of belonging. This workshop examines how various identities interplay with neurodivergence to impact the experiences of adults and students within independent schools, with special emphasis on Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The Myth of the Model Minority | Farea Khan (Al-Iman School)
In the context of a Diversity and Inclusion conference, "The Myth of the Model Minority" presentation addresses the harmful stereotype that portrays Asian Americans as universally successful and obscures their unique experiences. This session explores the origins and implications of this stereotype, emphasizing its detrimental impact on inclusivity. It calls for a more nuanced understanding of the Asian American community, highlighting the importance of dispelling stereotypes, fostering a genuinely inclusive environment, and recognizing the varied challenges faced by different Asian American groups in pursuing true diversity and equity.

Assessing Students Equitably | Heather Danishanko (The Burlington School)
Grades should accurately and equitably reflect student ability and achievement. To combat the current antiquated and inequitable grading system, equitable grading best practices must be implemented. This presentation will highlight key strategies and ideas that can be implemented in the classroom to ensure equity when assessing students.