DEIJB Update: Advancing Our Commitment to Diversity and Belonging

by | Sep 26, 2024 | Community, Diversity Equity Inclusion Justice, Faculty, Professional Development, School Leaders, School Leadership

by Leah Lader, WSP Music Teacher & DEIJB Committee Member

Welcome back from the DEIJB committee! DEIJB stands for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging. Our committee consists of faculty and administrative staff members who meet weekly for self-study, healthy discussions, and collaborative projects which make a positive difference in our school’s ongoing work of better incorporating DEIJB.

We have great news to share – starting this school year, AWSNA, the governing body for Waldorf Schools in North America, added an 8th Principle to offer further guidance: Waldorf schools honor and embrace human diversity and dignity.

 Over the course of the next two years, WSP will work with Alma Partners to start us off on the right path and advance our commitment to DEIJB. Alma Partners works primarily with Waldorf schools to align their practices with their values and bridge the gap between ideals and actions. We experienced the first two workshops in August with Masumi Hayashi-Smith, our Alma Partners Facilitator, who will continue to lead us through an additional six workshops over the course of the next two school years. 

During these first two workshops, we discussed the differences between intention and impact. In the context of DEIJB, our intentions might be rooted in kindness or a desire to be inclusive, however, focusing solely on good intentions can sometimes serve as a defense mechanism to avoid accountability. This often arises due to a lack of awareness around the historical and cultural contexts which inform how our actions are received.  Understanding the impact of our actions requires a deep commitment to self-reflection and learning.  

By centering impact, deepening our understanding of bias and privilege, and grounding our work in shared agreements & community aspirations, we can move from well-meaning gestures to transformative actions that truly support diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, as well as create a community of belonging where all feel welcomed and supported.

Introducing the DEIJ Corner

Introducing the DEIJ Corner

by | Oct 26, 2023 | At Home, Diversity Equity Inclusion Justice, Elementary School, High School, Middle School, Parent Workshop

by Ashley Brickeen | N – Grade 8 Admissions Director & Member of the DEIJ Committee

Flat map of the world with pins in it.

What is DEIJ?
DEIJ stands for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice. Put simply, it means working to create a space where everyone sees themselves reflected in our community and where our community enjoys the benefits of each person’s ability to participate fully, creating a sense of true belonging.

Why DEIJ?
WSP’s vibrant and diverse community of people come from all over the world. We have families representing every major religion, with ties to every continent. Our community has families in all shapes and sizes with family members with different gender identities and orientations.

What is the DEIJ Corner?
WSP’s DEIJ committee meets weekly to plan professional development workshops, study related topics and work on projects related to DEIJ. In the DEIJ Corner, we will report to the community on our work, share resources, and provide information.

This month we are spotlighting the local group, Girls Leadership. They were founded in Oakland in 2008; and offer workshops, professional development and classes for students from K-12th grade as well as adults. Many of their materials are offered for free, such as SEL (social-emotional learning) check-in materials or their workshop on Belonging in Basketball, offered through a partnership with the WNBA.

I’ve found their Bias Intervention and Developing Culturally Responsive Mindsets workshops particularly useful for my work at WSP. As a parent, I’m currently taking a Girl & GrownUp class with my daughter about friendship, managing conflict, learning to set boundaries, and find her own voice. I’ve found this one to be helpful, not only by providing skill sets, but also by creating a space for us to talk about some of the social challenges she is facing.

Keep an eye out for future updates from WSP’s DEIJ committee in our DEIJ corner. If you have any suggestions for resources or comments, please contact us via email.