Why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion matter in education in 2022.
In 1974, when the first deaf students were being integrated into Highland Elementary, I was witness to the extreme bullying experienced by my fellow students on the basis of their disability. I tried my best as a child to stand up for my classmates, but as an adult I can see where stronger policy and procedure was needed to protect these vulnerable students during such a significant transition. Throughout my school years I continued to see the same story of discrimination and inequity, not just on account of disability, but also race, religion, and sexual orientation. Because of this, I felt a sense of duty to advocate for a more inclusive education system, for I truly believe that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion defines us all.
Diversity is about an individual. It is about the variety of unique qualities and characteristics that each student and staff possess. When we speak about diversity, we are speaking about respecting and valuing the differences based on culture, gender, age, race, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. It also includes an infinite range of individual unique characteristics and experiences, such as lived experience, communication style, educational background, income level, marital status, parental status, and other variables that influence personal perspectives.
I am proud to have been part of the changes to Policy 412 Supporting Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression, which took place after a student approached me in 2013 with concerns about how issues of gender were handled.
But diversity needs to continue to be part of the discussion in the 2022–26 term, and I am determined to keep it there.
At the June 2022 public board meeting, the Anti-Racism Working Group presented their report to the Board of Education: https://www.sd44.ca/Board/Meetings/Documents/Anti-racism%20presentation%2020220621%20for%20web.pdf
During that presentation, the Grade 12 students involved with the committee expressed concern that the momentum might slow, and the work get lost in the system. My goal is to ensure that these students not be let down.
There is a lot of work that still needs to be done to address racism in our school district and the acceptance of all is part of that work.
For many years, classrooms have been about equality – ensuring that all students have access to the classroom with their peers, regardless of culture or disability.
As we move forward, equity is becoming more important. Equity is fairness and for me this means that every student receives what they need to be successful. Equity is harder to achieve, but it will have more impact and will be more effective. Some of the barriers to equity that the North Vancouver School District is starting to address are Truth and Reconciliation, anti-racism, and ableism; other areas that we need to continue to work on and bring to the forefront are poverty, hunger, mental health, domestic abuse, and sexism.
Recognizing and addressing these barriers as faced by students will have positive impacts on academic achievement and feelings of self-worth; and doing likewise for school staff will have a positive impact on morale and work environment.
Inclusion for me is about respecting and valuing our differences, coming together to create a shared sense of belonging, where no one feels excluded for who they are. Inclusion can only occur when each person feels that they are an integrated part of the community, respected not in spite of, but because of their unique identities.
We are a long way from actualizing inclusion, but we are on the right path, and I am excited to be a part of the process in the North Vancouver School District.
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I am grateful to live, work, and learn on the Unceded Territories of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
“Authorized and approved by the Candidate Cyndi Gerlach as financial agent for the campaign – cyndigerlach@telus.net”