“Teaching in ways that are culturally relevant is important. If we do not prepare you to teach every child, and work to encourage students from diverse backgrounds… we are not serving all children well.” 

• Teaching Well, Whitney H. Rapp & Katrina L. Arndt

How do the educators at MCVSD feel about diversity in our schools? To gain insight into teachers’ perspectives, I conducted a brief survey at the start of the school year. My goal was to uncover successes, identify areas where support is needed, and highlight areas for potential growth.

The results revealed a spectrum of opinions, from those who feel empowered by the diversity in their classrooms to those who are seeking more resources and guidance. In this post, I’ll dive into the key takeaways, challenges, and next steps as we strive create a path forward to a more inclusive educational environment here at MCVSD.

Takeaways, Challenges, & Next Steps

When asked whether they feel confident in their ability to address diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in their classrooms, over 74% of respondents felt confident or very confident in their ability. This is a promising indicator that many of our educators are prepared to navigate complex discussions and foster inclusive learning environments. 

While this is encouraging, I wonder what specific strategies used by teachers contribute to their readiness to address DEI issues? What are the gaps in support for those teachers who feel less confident? Going forward, I think it’s valuable to explore these nuances to ensure that all our educators feel fully prepared to engage with DEI issues.

An equal number of respondents felt supported by school and district leadership in their efforts to promote DEI in their classrooms. This suggests that there is a foundation of support in place for many educators, which is essential for fostering a school culture that prioritizes DEI. 

However, 26% were either ambivalent or do not feel supported; this may signal that there are inconsistencies in how support is experienced. How can leadership ensure that all teachers receive the resources and support they need in their DEI efforts? Possible ways to address this disparity could be provided by fostering a shared vision of DEI across the district and providing more targeted resources to both administrators and teachers.

The need for targeted resources was reinforced by the data; 49% of respondents either don’t have sufficient access to appropriate resources or aren’t sure if they do.

This uncertainty or lack of resources suggests that while many teachers may feel confident in addressing DEI issues, their ability to do so could be limited by the tools and materials available. Clearer communication regarding where to find resources like this website coupled with better distribution of DEI resources across the district could address this issue. I will visit each department’s after school PLC during the school year starting with the ELA teachers in November. I will coordinate with the curriculum coaches to determine if there are already identified gaps in DEI resources or if a general discussion to identify areas of concern is more appropriate

An overwhelming amount of respondents prefer to participate in professional development either during a staff day or during release time. I will be conducting a workshop entitled Building Equity in the Classroom through Community Agreements and Empathy Maps at the staff day on October 14th. In this interactive session, educators will:

• Explore how to foster equitable and inclusive classroom environments by implementing community agreements and using empathy maps,

• Discover how empathy maps can help students understand diverse perspectives and teachers understand student perspectives,

• Identify unmet needs, and create more supportive learning experiences, and

• Leave with practical tools to promote equity and empower all students in your classroom.
  

While most teachers did not express a desire to collaborate with their peers regarding DEI topics, a few teachers expressed an interest. I will be meeting with them and any other interested teachers during the last session on the October staff day.  Feel free to stop by and join us!

Path Forward

Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within our District is an ongoing journey. While the survey provided valuable insights, it’s the actions we take moving forward that will make the most impact. I encourage all teachers to reflect on how we can collectively support one another in these efforts. Whether you feel confident in addressing DEI issues or are just beginning to explore these topics, every voice matters in shaping an environment where all students can thrive. Feel free to reach out to me via District email at any time!

I look forward to collaborating with all of you and engaging in deeper conversations about DEI. Together, we can ensure that our classrooms not only reflect diversity but actively promote equity and inclusion. Let’s continue this work—one step, one conversation, one action at a time.