How can each of us be solution-minded, 

with materials, lessons, policy writing, etc.?

We have found that adults in education, like their students and families, also have a critical need to feel safe before they can begin to investigate, share and reflect upon their own experiences (i.e. read and implement ideas from a resource such as, 'Equity Examined') to arrive at a point of understanding and awareness from which each can effectively tap into one's own personal background experiences - which is a prerequisite before understanding the backgrounds and experiences of each educator's learners or school constituents, and providing children, adolescents, families and staff with the education environment that they need and deserve. 

Follow the Child

Would revising and transforming materials and lessons to better embrace diverse values call the attention of: more diverse families to public, charter, and independent schools; and, more funders from state agencies and from private donors and foundations, so that the changes in inclusivity in diversity across all school aspects impact directly equity for enrollment?

We have found that a problem arises in our aspirational Montessori prepared learning environments when we educators assign values to certain materials/lessons, and not to others either by their exclusion or avoidance.

We acknowledge that Dr. Maria Montessori herself asked educators to consider equity in their practices. We believe that the time is now to ask ourselves, how do we carry on the process of recognizing that we need to provide equity?

Essential Questions

What are we communicating and teaching, either intentionally or unintentionally, and especially through our modeling, through what we are doing or not doing in our schools, in our board rooms, and in our classrooms? Is my school celebrating, for example Pride Month and other inclusive celebrations? Are these intentional practices ensuring that all members of our school communities are sensing that each belongs? What is put into practices at my school, in my classroom, among our leadership team beyond our posting a of a Diversity Statement? And ... 

HOW Can We Begin to Reflect & Instill Meaningful, Sustainable Change?

Some ideas: 

• Invite staff, families, leadership to share individual stories and/or 'Equity Examined' stories through school facilitated sessions:

  • • • Speed dating/community circle/wagon wheel 

• Post a mirror in staff room & board room with: "How am I impacting DEIB?"

• Survey staff, leadership, families, students: 

  • • • Personal stories

      • Ideas for HOW to further DEIB in the classroom and/or school

• Take Before/After photos of classroom environments with DEIB intentionally established for staff PD

• DEIB Classroom Checklists for annual review along with Materials Inventories

• Establish regular built-in time frames to:

  • • • Review materials and lessons for DEIB

      • Make appropriate revisions