Faculty Development Day on Thursday February 12 was devoted to discussions of diversity at Brunswick; that is diversity very broadly defined. Conversations focused on how we relate to one another, how to create a safe place and how to make Brunswick inclusive. A quick summary answer to inclusivity was defined as greeting people with a smile (the example set by Mr. Cosby,) engaging others in conversation and listening. With this background, the faculty and staff got to work to determine what we are doing and how it can be done better.
Both Katie Signer, Lower School Head and Sarah Burdett, Middle School head, attended the annual People of Color Conference for independent schools in December. They reported back to the group their experiences and impressions. Both emphasized that at the conference all judgment is suspended and they were fully welcomed. They both arrived a bit uncomfortable (do we belong at a People of Color Conference) but, developed a comfort zone within that discomfort because of the interactions with other attendees. The conference encouraged people to reach out to one another and practice small acts of kindness that make a big difference. With eyes opened to the positives of inclusivity Katie and Sarah came back more committed than ever to making Brunswick a safe place and a place where everyone is equally welcomed.
Diversity Coordinator Marianne Ho Barnum indicated that diversity remains a defining objective of the School. It must carry beyond rhetoric and to the foundation of our operation. In other words, there has to be a root system to enable diversity. For example, transportation needs to be provided for those who are geographically diverse and after school care for those who are socio-economically diverse, i.e. two working parents who cannot provide childcare at 3pm. Marianne’s stated goal is that diversity becomes what we do naturally and that there would be no need for a diversity coordinator.
After the motivating words from Katie, Sarah and Marianne the faculty and staff split into ten different groups to examine diversity at Brunswick from many angles. The groups were: School Governance and Leadership; Policy and Administration; Admissions (Financial Aid); Teaching and Learning; Faculty/Teachers; Student Life; School Publications and Environment; Staff Involvement and Life; Parent/Guardian Involvement and Alumni Involvement and Investment. Each group had worked on a series of questions in their area prior to the meeting and discussions centered on those questions. The groups were mixed so that each had members from lower, middle and upper schools as well as staff. Some recurring themes came out of these groups, even though the identified issues were tackled from differing perspectives. There was general consensus that significant progress has been made over the years but that continuing attention to diversity is needed. Non-traditional areas of diversity such as socio-economic, geographic and even the sport/arts diversity were all addressed, noting that some boys and families fall in-between the classic definitions of diversity.
An interesting corollary of the work assigned to each group was to come up with a motto or phrase to express Brunswick diversity. These ranged from the simple – No Labels and Connectivity, to the catchy DIME (Demonstrating Inclusivity, Mindfulness and Equality), AIM (Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism) and A Wholly Wick; A Welcome Wick, to the direct Shake My Hand and Learn My Name and We Will Help You Find Your Way [to Brunswick] (from the Admissions group).
After each group reported to the whole, the faculty and staff were treated to a student/alumni panel. The three panelists, a junior, a senior and an alumnus each spoke of his road to Brunswick and his experience once at Brunswick as a diversity student. Each indicated that while Brunswick was a welcoming place transitioning from former communities was difficult and the difficulties happened in surprising ways. One panelist indicated that a civies day, when no uniform is required, was a key example. He came from a community where preppy Nantucket red shorts were unknown and felt isolated and different those days when students were allowed to express how they dressed without the overlay of a dress code. One of the boys noted that civies days made him realize that the purpose of a uniform is to make everyone equal. All three panelists indicated that they stayed in touch with friends from their home communities but had no problem developing relationships with boys at Brunswick. Geographic distances did present a problem in hanging out with Brunswick friends outside of school. Interestingly, the socio-economic diversity, was noted by several panelists as being more disquieting than ethnic or racial diversity. The boys uniformly praised the faculty for being welcoming and inclusive.
A key aspect of this Faculty/Staff development day is that it is just one step in a continuing process. Sarah Burdett reminded the group that it is critical that the discussions not end with the morning dedicated to the topic of diversity but rather that these discussions be a launch pad for progress in making Brunswick a fully inclusive welcoming community.
An immediate follow-up for the whole community is a questionnaire which was sent out by email on Tuesday February 17 to each family’s preferred email address. The link to the questionnaire, which is on the email, is http://www.insightlink.net/Aim-Brunswick/. Each family is asked to take the time to fill out and return the questionnaire. Results will help keep the School administration focused on what needs to be done in the area of diversity. So, Take AIM – AIM =Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism.