-
About_DEI_header
About SEA
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Mission Statement
Recognizing and appreciating the richness of the diversity in our community, St. Edmund’s Academy is committed to fostering a community-oriented environment where students, families, faculty, and staff members feel welcome, valued and appreciated, where they are affirmed of human dignity and assured of equal access to educational opportunities.
At SEA, we educate our students to become leaders of strong character grounded in our Core Values so that they may develop cultural understanding, respect for differing perspectives, and social responsibility.
We champion a curriculum that espouses the equitable, inclusive qualities found in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, preparing our students for active participation and citizenship in the interdependent world.
At SEA, we educate our students to become leaders of strong character grounded in our Core Values so that they may develop cultural understanding, respect for differing perspectives, and social responsibility.
We champion a curriculum that espouses the equitable, inclusive qualities found in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, preparing our students for active participation and citizenship in the interdependent world.
Ms. Marian Lien, Director of Education for Inclusion and Global Awareness
Students are the voices of the future…they are hungry to engage in difficult conversation about race and inequality. It is incumbent upon us to teach them the nuances, complexities, and consequences of discrimination and racism.
Curriculum Spotlight - Pollyanna
In keeping with our strategic imperative of creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive school community, SEA uses the Pollyanna Curriculum, a grade-by-grade level curriculum employing concepts from history, language arts, science, geography — and with STEAM extensions — supporting students in acquiring an awareness of their own racial socialization and skills for engaging in productive conversations about race and racism.
The work navigates historical perspectives on race, culture, and inequity in the U.S. through the lens of groups and individuals whose stories have been hidden throughout history. It is designed to help students gain knowledge about race as it has been constructed in the United States, and aims to help students acquire a positive identity and an awareness of their own racial socialization and skills for engaging in productive conversations about race and racism.
The Parent/Guardian Companion Guide provides an in-depth overview of each unit featured in the Racial Literacy Curriculum, recommends questions and conversation suggestions for families to facilitate dialogue at home that centers on race, culture, and identity, and suggests reading and viewing material to enhance racial literacy. Serving to bridge the classroom and home, this Companion Guide will encourage teachers and families to work together to best support their children’s growth.
The Parent/Guardian Companion Guide provides an in-depth overview of each unit featured in the Racial Literacy Curriculum, recommends questions and conversation suggestions for families to facilitate dialogue at home that centers on race, culture, and identity, and suggests reading and viewing material to enhance racial literacy. Serving to bridge the classroom and home, this Companion Guide will encourage teachers and families to work together to best support their children’s growth.
List of 6 items.
-
Our DEI Institutional Priorities
Self Awareness and Institutional Understanding- Listening to and acting on the painful and vulnerable moments shared by our Black alumni, students, faculty members, and parents.
- Learning from the NAIS Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism for Middle School Students conducted in 2017 at St. Edmund’s Academy and establishing measurable objectives for our progress.
Representative Colleagues and Purposeful Training- Growing and supporting the administration, faculty, and Board of Trustees in diversity reflective of our student body.
- Conducting quarterly anti-racist training for Faculty and Staff.
- Reading Circles for Faculty and Staff
- Affinity Groups for Faculty, Staff, and Students including Black Student Union and Asian American Alliance
Learning Within and Beyond the Curriculum- Recovering and reaffirming a diversity of perspectives in literature and history.
- Introducing the Pollyanna Racial Literacy program throughout all grade levels.
- Inviting diverse civic and religious leaders to deliver chapel talks.
- Expanding cross cultural events connecting our students to thought leaders in our region.
- Learning about social and environmental justice as a United Nations Global Goals School committed to the Sustainable Development Goals
Identifying Priorities and Measuring Effectiveness- Measuring our progress through a second administration of NAIS’s Assessment of Inclusion and Multiculturalism.
- Identifying problems immediately through the publicly available Bias Incident Protocol.
- Updating the Board of Trustees on diversity, equity, and inclusion work at all board meetings.
Showcasing the Power of Connection- Sharing publicly our diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities and programs on the SEA website.
- Demonstrating our commitments in action through social media.
-
Cultural Programming
Our community-wide cultural programming includes community-wide celebrations of Hispanic Heritage Month, Lunar New Year, Black History Month, and Earth Day. Additionally, we are intentional in recruiting Chapel Speakers who represent a variety of cultural, religious, and community leaders.
Visit SEA's Instagram and Facebook pages to learn about our community-wide celebrations and Chapel Speakers. -
DEI Staff Roles and Committees
- Director of Education for Inclusion and Global Awareness
- FAME Liaison
- SEA Connects Ambassadors
- Board of Trustees Diversity Recruitment Task Force
-
Professional Development for Faculty, Staff, and Administration
- NAIS People of Color Conference attendance since 2018
- National Diversity Practitioners Institute in June 2020, remotely attended due to COVID19
- Racial Identity Development: A Toolbox for Educators led by Ali Michaels, Race Institute for K-12 Educators on June 10, 2019
- Race Institute for K-12 Educators, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Inclusant Training led by Anupama Jain, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- A Workshop on Human Rights & Genocide, March 2, 2019, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Brown-Gary & Associates Immersive Climate Assessment of St. Edmund’ s Academy led by Trina Gary in February 2019
- NAIS People of Color Conference in December 2018, Nashville, Tennessee
- Cultivating Diversity and Cultural Competence led by Allison Park, Blink Consulting on June 20, 2017
-
Student Clubs
- Black Student Union (BSU) | Upper School
- Black Student Union (BSU 4th Grade Edition) | Lower School
- Asian American Student Alliance | Upper School
- The Upstanders Club | Upper School
- Friendship Circle | Lower School
-
Community Resources
SEA Families can access a significant list of online resources on Anti-racism and Race Matters on the Resources for Families page of SEAPort. Topics included on this list are:- Systemic Racism
- White Privilege
- White Supremacy
- Anti-racism and being an ally
- Policing in America
- Talking to Kids about Race and Racism
- Allyship
- Black Lives Matter
- Teaching for Black Lives
Bias Incident Process
We are committed to exploring instances of bias reported by our community through deep conversation, advocacy, and accountability.
St. Edmund's Academy
Guided by our Core Values and commitment to high standards, St. Edmund’s Academy provides a diverse, inclusive, and nurturing learning community where students are known, valued, and challenged to achieve their potential.
