Office of DEIB
A Community of Belonging
At Paideia, the joyful work of fostering belonging is embedded in all we do: from classroom conversations to curriculum development.
We know that students learn better when they feel a deep sense of belonging. Our job, then, is to ensure that every space a student occupies in our school – the playground, the soccer field, the theater, or the classroom – supports that goal. Teachers and administrators go out of their way to truly know each child in our school, recognizing the beauty in their unique gifts.
As learners in this community, we are united in our shared sense of compassion, appreciation, and care; coming together every day to learn more about ourselves and one another.
Walking the talk
While diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging live in our framework of values, it’s the work of bringing those values to life that we love.
Paideia’s Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) makes concrete the egalitarian spirit that has always been part of our DNA. The office provides valuable expertise to further promote that spirit through dialogue, understanding, resources and events.
In the curriculum, across every grade, the Office of DEIB enables self-awareness, fosters empathy, and empowers students to value community. From Half Day to High School, we give our teachers the tools they need to put these ideas into action through age-appropriate content and conversation. And our libraries reinforce the curriculum, housing diverse voices that expand understanding of the human experience and nurture the growth of compassion and an ethical self.
Our DEIB programs support our community in the following ways:
Students
- Coordinates events and dialogue with student groups.
- Provides space and resources to student affinity groups.
- Offers emotional support to students struggling with feelings of belonging.
Faculty and staff
- Designs and facilitates classroom and administrative discussions.
- Enables professional growth opportunities.
- Coordinates with counselors.
- Shares best practices regarding curriculum and resources.
- Assists with teaching and coordinating activities around identity and belonging.
Parents
- Supports representation through, and encourages collaboration among, affinity groups.
- Hosts events that inspire education and reflection.
- Guides conversations around fostering belonging.
- Leads communication around our shared community values
We believe that education is at its best when all of us are encouraged to bring our whole selves to school each day.
We believe that our community–students, faculty, staff and families–is strong when we represent and celebrate every race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, family structure and physical appearance. There is beauty in our individuality, and in our differences are fascinating stories waiting to be told, a wider education and strengthened connections.
