Paideia’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: An Ongoing Conversation
We are pleased to share some of our progress towards creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive Paideia. As a community, we are grateful to the teachers, administrators, families, and board of trustees for their continued work and focus on creating community and belonging for all of our students and families. Since our last DEI update in June, we have made meaningful progress.
Paideia
Oman Frame has been named director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Paideia School, effective immediately.
I am delighted to announce that Oman Frame will assume the new position as director of DEI effective immediately. Oman has had a leadership role in DEI for all his years at Paideia. This elevated position will enable all of us to move forward in this essential work. Oman will supervise and be supported by several members of the faculty and staff in order to promote and extend DEI work. The school is lucky to have a person as knowledgeable and committed as Oman.
Oman began teaching homebase in junior high at Paideia in 2006. In 2017, he transitioned to a full-time coordinator of diversity, equity and inclusion. During his time at Paideia, Oman co-developed the Race, Class and Gender curriculum used throughout the junior high, helped coordinate student affinity groups at all levels, facilitated numerous professional development opportunities (both internal and external), and brought nationally recognized speakers on DEI issues to campus such as Rosetta Lee and Andre Robert Lee. Oman is a nationally recognized leader in DEI in independent schools. He has facilitated DEI workshops at the National Association of Independent Schools Conferences (5 times), the Southern Association of Independent Schools, and the National Middle School Conference. In 2016, he was a co-chair of the NAIS National People of Color Conference (POCC), in 2017, he was invited to present at the HATCH Signature Summit and has presented at both the bell hooks Institute and Gwinnett College. Next month, Oman is featured as an equity and inclusion breakout facilitator at the REP4 Alliance, a national network for colleges and universities.
He has co-authored a book titled: “Let’s Get Real: Exploring Race, Class and Gender in the Classroom” and most recently published a chapter in “10 Perspectives on Equity in Education”. He currently also teaches a sociology class in the high school. As director of DEI, Oman will continue his work with students and faculty school-wide and expand his leadership role throughout campus.
Paul Bianchi
Paideia's Responses to DEI Issues - Letters sent to Elementary, Junior High and High School on July 31, plus ongoing action.