The South Fayette Township School District’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is committed to maintaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community – one where every member of our school community feels seen, heard, and their contributions valued. Our goal is to create educators and student leaders who are grounded in the understanding of how diversity, equity, and inclusion improves the way we experience the world and who are dedicated to promoting equity and justice. In other words, our goal is to make our campus a culturally-responsive, safe space for all students, faculty and adults.
Past:
* Established a strategic plan that prioritizes curriculum, policy, professional development for faculty and staff
* Hired a full-time Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
* Initiated a call to action to prioritize the education and training required to fully embrace culturally-responsive pedagogical practices
* Began training faculty and staff in culturally-responsive education
* Created and established a student-led, diversity, equity, and inclusion program, that provides students with the agency to lead the region in helping our communities become culturally-responsive, safe spaces for all students, faculty, and staff.
* Authored a book with the students to expand our reach and to teach others how to duplicate our program in their school districts
Present:
* Reviewing curriculum with administration and faculty to ensure that content is inclusive and culturally responsible
* Implementing a diversity, equity, and inclusion tool that provides a filter through which the faculty and staff can view their lessons in order to determine if they are culturally-appropriate
* Began working with faculty to develop district-wide, grade-level unit plans for themes (e.g. Black History Month, Women's HERstory Month, etc.)
* Establishing relationships with HBCUs and other universities to create a pipeline for recruiting educators of color
Future:
* A district-wide climate survey to properly identify our areas for growth
* DEI-focused orientations for all incoming members of the community
* Expanding DEI expertise around campus in order to build the district’s cultural capacity more efficiently and effectively
* Host leadership development opportunities for faculty and staff
* Host workshops for parents and caregivers
* Host an annual conference on diversity, equity, inclusion and, social justice