As part of our DEIB work, we partnered with People of Color of Independent Schools in the Northwest (POCIS) to "offer our communities and beyond the opportunity to connect, learn, and engage in topics around equity, inclusion, and antiracist education and action. The purpose of this series is to raise awareness, challenge ourselves, deepen understanding, and empower our communities to advance their efforts to actively recreate systems into equitable, inclusive, and antiracist institutions."

Committee Purpose Statement

Member Photos and Subcommittee

To communicate most effectively with each other about DEIB, it is important to have a shared understanding of common acronyms, terms, and definitions.

Term	Definition
ABAR	Acronym for Anti-bias and Anti-racist
Ableism	Beliefs and practices that devalue and discriminate people based on their ability
Anti-bias	Actively working against biases
Anti-racist	Actively working against racism
Belonging	The feeling of being seen, heard, and valued for your authentic self
BIPOC	Acronym for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
Body Neutrality	A movement that encourages a person to accept their physical body as it is, even on the days that they may not love, or feel positive about their body and/or abilities
Body Positivity	A movement that encourages everyone to have positive feelings and love for their body every day, no matter what it does or what it looks like
Colonization	Establishing control over a place and/or people
Critical Race Theory (CRT)	The examination of how race and racism have influenced social systems and institutions in America
Decolonization	Active resistance to colonial powers
Discrimination	The unfair treatment of a person or people based on an aspect of their identity
Diversity	Representation of a variety of different identites, including race, ethnicty, religion, gender identity, physical ability, neurodivergence, etc.)
Dominant Culture	A culture established as standard for an entire group of people
Environmental Justice	Fair treatment of all people in the implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, practices, and policies
Equality	Offering the same treatment, access, and opportunity to all people with no consideration to the specific needs of people or groups of people
Equity	Offering fair treatment, access, and opportunity to all people, while working to eliminate specific barriers for a person or group of people
Ethnicity	The identity of a group of people based on cultural characteristics (ie language, ancestry, ritual, etc.)
Fat Acceptance	A movement that seeks to normalize larger bodies and helps promote size inclusivity
Gender Expression	The way people externally communicate their gender identity to others
Gender Identity	A person's innermost concept of self as male, female, both, or neither. Unrelated to biological sex or sexual orientation
Gender Role	Set of expectations and behaviors assigned to females and males by society
Implicit bias	Unconscious and unintentional attitudes or stereotypes that can affect a person's actions
Inclusion	The act of creating environments in which everyone feels welcomed and respected
Intersectionality	The way in which social identities such as gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and class intersect to create unique dynamics and effects in regards to power and privilege
Marginalized	A person or group of people regarded with little or no importance that has a lesser amount of power
Micro-aggression	Subtle and often unintentional insults or actions against people that belong to marginalized groups
Model Minority	Harmful stereotype of Asian Americans that characterizes them as universally successful and high achieving
Neurodivergent	A difference in neurological function from what is considered typical
Nonbinary	A person that does not identify with a specific gender
Privilege	Advantages given to a person or group of people that have identities that match those of the dominant culture
Race	The identity of a group of people based on physical characteristics, especially skin color
Racism	The belief that race is a determinant of superiority
Sexual Orientation	Identity that corresponds with the gender(s) that a person is attracted to
Social Construct	An idea that has been created by society
Social Identity	The collection of physical, cultural, and social characteristics that tie a person to different social identity groups
Social Justice	Creating and sustaining equality in society, including opportunities, rights, and treatment
Socioeconomic Class	Hierarchy based on fiscal wealth and social class
Stereotype	A common and shared belief about a person or group of people that is not based on fact
System	A number of different pieces that work together to acheive a common purpose
Systemic	Relating to the entirety of a system
Transgender	A person whose gender identity is not the same as the gender they were assigned at birth
White Fragility	A defensive reaction by white people in response to racism
White Guilt	Feelings of shame or remorse held by white people in response to racism
White Supremacy	Belief that the white race is superior to all other races

Eastside Pathways, a collective of public and private organizations on the Eastside serving children, is a member of StriveTogether, a national network of 70 community partnerships that use the principle of Collective Impact framework as the way to effect deep, long-lasting systemic change to support local education systems. The approach is based on individual responsibility and collective accountability, using data to drive actions and decision-making and focusing on continuous improvement. (http://eastsidepathways.org/collective-impact/) 

We are pleased to announce that Eton School has partnered with a consortium of independent schools in the northwest to create a People of Color in Independent Schools (POCIS) Seattle website. This new website exists to help people of color thrive in independent schools and serves as a hub where both families and staff can find DEIB-focused programming, admissions information, community events, job postings, and more! Please watch the special video below (opens in a new window) to learn more!

2023-2024 Staff DEIB Professional Development

Eton School nurtures a passion for lifelong learning in all of its community members. This includes faculty and staff!  This year there are multiple opportunities planned for DEIB-centered professional development. These opportunities include:

2023 Summer Read (August 2023)

All staff members were encouraged to read one of five DEIB-focused books over the summer. During fall in-service, staff met in groups led by DEIB Committee members to discuss the books and enrich learning by sharing their different perspectives and experiences. 

Book Choices:

• For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts: A Love Letter to Women of Color by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez, a 2023-2024 Equity and Inclusion Virtual Speaker Series presenter
   
• Raising Antiracist Children: A Practical Parenting Guide by Britt Hawthorne
   
• Seattle from the Margins: Exclusion, Erasure, and the Making of a Pacific Coast City by Dr. Megan Asaka, a 2023-2024 Equity and Inclusion Virtual Speaker Series presenter
   
• The Sea in Winter by Christine Day
   
• Viral Justice: How to Grow the World We Want by Ruha Benjamin, a 2023-2024 Equity and Inclusion Virtual Speaker Series presenter

Building a Language Affirming School Culture (August 2023)

All staff members participated in this workshop that highlighted the importance of affirming identity through language by pronouncing names correctly and honoring personal pronouns, and how doing so increases feelings of belonging.

Equity & Inclusion Virtual Speaker Series (5 October 2023; 8 February 2024; 13 March 2024; 23 May 2024)

The purpose of this series is to raise awareness, challenge ourselves, deepen understanding, and empower communities to advance their efforts to actively recreate systems into equitable, inclusive, and antiracist institutions. The program invites 4-5 speakers throughout the academic year, providing access to recognized authors and speakers who engage participants in complex topics through dialogue and cross-cultural communication.

Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS) Fall Educators Conference: Activating Cultures of Belonging (13 October 2023)

The focus of this conference is how educators can activate and foster a sense of belonging in every individual within their institutions. Supporting neurodiverse learners, centering mental health and wellness, and cultivating diverse and equitable environments are the three main pathways for learning.

American Montessori Society (AMS) Traveling Symposium (14 October 2023) 

This symposium presents a series of workshops and spotlights that focus on current practice and Maria Montessori’s philosophy. Workshops offered include A Montessori Model of Inclusion, Working with Students with Neurodiversities, and Anti-racist Work in Schools Serving Majority of White Students.

BIPOC Voices (20 October 2023 and TBD)

BIPOC Voices is a program, created by POCIS Seattle, that brings together educators of color (teachers, school counselors, and administrators) working in its member schools for fall and spring summits. Through BIPOC Voices summits, educators share ideas, offer support and encouragement, and discuss ways that independent schools can implement the ideas and approaches shared by guest speakers and other leaders in DEI-related work. 

Lighthouse Building Virtual Sessions with A Queer Endeavor (2 November 2023 and 1 February 2024

The goal of these two virtual  sessions (fall and winter) is to center concepts that can be walked up through all grade-levels at Eton—identity and community – and position attendees as “lighthouses” of knowledge within the community.

Connection Before Correction: Neuroscience, Post-COVID Trauma, & Regulation in Educational Settings (9 November 2023)

Pre-elementary and Lower Elementary staff will attend this workshop with Dr. Cary Hamilton to deepen the skills necessary to support neurodivergent students.

Executive Functioning (9 November 2023)

Upper Elementary and Middle School staff will attend this workshop with Ben Wahl from Ryther to deepen the skills necessary to support neurodivergent students.

Creating a Brave Space (29 March and TBD)

Montessorian and antiracist educator Britt Hawthorne will provide a daylong in-person workshop, along with two virtual critical checkpoint sessions, for all staff that will examine educator bias, analyze current classroom materials for stereotypes and stigmas, and deepen understanding of racial identity development.