Committee Purpose Statement

The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) committee at Eton School is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment where all members of our school community feel valued, respected, and empowered. Our committee works collaboratively to address and dismantle systemic barriers, promote diversity, celebrate differences, and ensure that every individual feels a strong sense of belonging. Through our policies and initiatives, we strive to create a safe and nurturing educational environment that embraces the unique identities and experiences of all students, families, faculty, staff, and board members. Policies outlined herein do not supersede any information, policies, or procedures outlined in the Eton School Employee Handbook.

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.

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!

Professional Development 2024-2025

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:

Summer Read

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:

A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold

Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong

Same but Different by Holly Robinson Peete

Subtle Acts of Exclusion by Tiffany Jana & Michael Baran

Tornado Brain by Cat Patrick

POCIS Equity & Inclusion Virtual Speaker Series

Dr. Gholdy Muhammad
9 October, 5:00 p.m.

Dr. Muhammad works with teachers and young people across the United States and South Africa in best practices in equity, anti-racism, and culturally & historically responsive instruction. She is the author of the best-selling book, Cultivating Genius: An Equity Model for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy.

Elena Aguilar
23 April, 5:00 p.m.

Elena Aguilar has worked in education since 1994. Her years of teaching, coaching, and leading teams in the Oakland, CA public schools deeply inform the eight books she’s written and the trainings she designs and facilitates. Elena is committed to creating equitable schools and organizations where everyone thrives.

POCIS BIPOC Voices Fall Summit

Liz Kleinrock
15 October

Liz is a Korean, Jewish, queer, transracial adoptee, antibias and antiracist nationally recognized educator, author, and consultant. She works in classrooms of many kinds and is also an antibias antiracist facilitator and consultant for schools, organizations, and companies across the country. She received Learning for Justice's Award for Excellence in Teaching, and in 2019 delivered a TED Talk called "Education Everywhere" on building foundations of equity with young learners. She is also the author of Start Here Start Now: A Guide to Antibias and Antiracist Work in Your School Community

Eton One Book Discussion: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidst

4 November 4:00 p.m., 14 February 9:00 a.m.

As we dive into our One Book, we invite community members, employees and parents/guardians alike, to talk about it. Join a book discussion to share perspectives and enhance learning.

Using Play to Manage Behavior in Educational Environments with Cary Hamilton

6 December

Play therapist Cary Hamilton returns to Eton School this fall to host both a Parent Education Breakfast and all faculty professional development session on 6 December. Cary is a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and Child-Parent Relational Therapist, qualifications that demonstrate her intense passion for working with children and families to improve their emotional and behavioral regulation. She provides effective solutions for a host of life challenges.

Recognizing and Disrupting Microaggressions with Rosetta Lee

28 March

Since 2004 Rosetta has been a diversity speaker and trainer on a variety of issues, including cross cultural communication, identity development, prejudice reduction and coalition building, gender and sexuality diversity, facilitation skills, bullying in schools, and gender bias in the classroom.