SHU Hosts Discussion with Diversity Education Leaders

Education representatives encourage continued reform for equity

Sacred Heart University’s Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development recently sponsored 45 leaders of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) from school districts throughout Connecticut to connect, gather insight, highlight best practices and plan for the future.

Kristin Rainville, associate professor of educational literacy and leadership at SHU, led “A Convening of DEI Leaders,” along with Yvonne Temple, supervisor of diversity, equity, inclusion and engagement for the Stratford Board of Education. Maurice Nelson, SHU’s chief diversity & inclusion officer, provided the keynote address, which focused on the role of a school’s diversity officer and the challenges and opportunities associated with the work.

The gathering of DEI leaders was inspired by an anti-racism symposium that social work doctoral students conducted at SHU last August, according to Rainville. “Yvonne and I wanted to extend the conversation and invite DEI education leaders to come together to learn from one another, to share successes and to identify needs that we can address as a group. A small group of DEI leaders came together and began planning for the first convening,” she said.

Temple stressed the importance of district diversity leaders having the opportunity to discuss and review best practices and address inequities within school systems. “We asked all attendees to take time and space to have deep, honest and profound conversations that will assist in transforming the PK-12 educational landscape and, in the process, change the trajectory of our most marginalized students,” she said.

Focusing on the matter is critical for today’s school systems, stated Theresa Rangel, diversity, equity and inclusion director for Naugatuck Public Schools. “As we grow in the diversity of our student body but continue to fall behind in the recruitment and retention of a more diverse teaching staff, it is more important than ever to ensure that the adults in classrooms are culturally aware,” she said. “It is time we create practices and policies to support our young people. Our future depends on it.”

Nelson said talking about shared experiences will help move equity forward. “My experience has so many similarities with those of other DEI leaders. Sharing information helped us build community and solidarity around the work,” he said. “My hope is for us to build a network in which we can support each other and collectively advocate for reform in the ways we approach DEI.”