Severn News

Severn Hosts 2018 AIMS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Conference

5/7/2018

Recently, educators from our region gathered on Teel Campus to participate in workshops and discussions on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. Sponsored by the Association of Independent Maryland and DC schools, this annual conference is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of how culture impacts cognition — to both learn from our colleagues and share what works for our community.

What is AIMS?

Founded in 1967, AIMS is a vibrant association of about 120 independent schools in Maryland and the District of Columbia, serving more than 45,000 students in grades PS - 12. AIMS' mission is to support its member schools by providing professional development workshops and conferences along with rigorous and effective accreditation services.

Our teachers (and students!) attend AIMS sponsored workshops and conferences throughout the year at other schools. For the fifth year in a row, we were proud to host the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Conference on Teel Campus to contribute to the strength of this educational community. Director of Studies and Strategic Initiatives and Upper School Community Life & Diversity Advisor Ms. Lise Charlier sits on the AIMS Diversity Committee along with Johnnie Forman of the Gilman School in Baltimore.

The Conference

The conference began with an opening keynote presentation from Crissy Cáceres, Assistant Head of School for Equity and Social Impact at Georgetown Day School.

Speaker at the Aims Diversity Conference on stage. — *Crissy Cáceres*

“We must all see ourselves as social justice leaders in our schools … and engage in this beautifully imperfect work called social justice.” — Crissy Cáceres

Following the opening speaker, the conference attendees rotated through six breakout sessions:

Diversity 101. This session introduced attendees to the differing types of privilege, especially the ones most common in independent schools.
White Allyship. An ally is someone who affirms someone else’s marginalized identity even though the ally does not hold the same social identifier. White allies are needed in the fight for equity and social justice, but what is our role? How can we support our colleagues and students of color and others who share identities different from our own? This session explored how to become a more effective White ally and how to encourage White allyship.
The Children Are Ready, Are You? Why do many of us keep waiting to bring race into the classroom, especially in prekindergarten and early elementary settings? Despite the myth of the colorblind kindergartener, young children do see race, and research shows that waiting to have these discussions does more harm than good. This session explored how we can incorporate race and identity as essential, everyday parts of the curriculum for preschool and early elementary students.
Creating Safe Spaces for Students, Faculty and Staff. One of the most important things teachers can do to promote learning is to create an environment where students feel safe. This workshop provided tips for teachers to incorporate into the classroom and school environment to help foster a safe space.
Sticks and Stones: Exploring the Consumption and Impact of the “N Word” in Our School Communities. In this workshop, practitioners in the field of diversity engaged in critical dialogue around the history of the "N" word — to understand the social, psychological, and emotional impact of the "N" word and to discover ways to help their school heal from, and move beyond, the controversial usage of the word in their communities.

The day concluded with a closing keynote presentation featuring Co-Founder of Focal Point Global, White House Champion of Change, TEDx presenter and Bryn Mawr graduate Hussainatu Blake and Co-Founder & CEO of DiscoverME/RecoverME: Enrichment Through the African Oral Tradition and Friends School of Baltimore graduate Dr. David Fakunle.

Severn School teachers present at a conference holding artwork. — *Dr. David Fakunle and Hussainatu Blake took questions after their presentations.*

Teachers sitting in an auditorium at a conference. — *Conference attendees were engaged and ready to learn throughout the day.*

Severn School Inclusivity Vision

We are a work in progress. Our Inclusivity Vision is a set of guidelines that we have established as a community for creating a space where every student, staff member, and faculty member feels a sense of belonging. Where every member of our community feels known and valued, seen and heard. We understand that while this work has no definitive end, we can grow and improve in leaps and bounds through purposeful discourse that informs our actions and programs as a school.

Severn aspires to be an inclusive community where each person is welcomed and affirmed. We find strength and value in our similarities and differences thereby inspiring students and adults to participate in and sustain a vibrant exchange of ideas and perspectives. In designing thoughtful programs and practices, we will broaden a culture of belonging and respect and an appreciation for the complexities within ourselves and others, and foster the desire to participate in a dynamic, global society.

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