USN faculty attend annual People of Color Conference

By Roderick White, Office of Diversity & Community Life Director

Hosted by the National Association of Independent Schools, a handful of USN K-12 faculty attended the People of Color Conference held virtually Monday, Nov. 30 to Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. 

While High School scholars attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference, faculty developed their skills and cultural competency by leaning into workshops such as "What I Said and What I Meant: Cross Cultural Communication," and "Decolonizng the Curriculum: Asking Questions of Ourselves to Help Our Students." 

The mission of the conference "is to provide a space for leadership and professional development and networking for people of color and allies of all backgrounds in independent schools. PoCC equips educators at every level, from teachers to trustees, with knowledge, skills, and experiences to improve and enhance the interracial, interethnic, and intercultural climate in their schools, as well as the attending academic, social-emotional, and workplace performance outcomes for students and adults alike."

Faculty also attended the social justice summit entitled "Waking Up NAIS Schools," a powerful call to action for educators in independent schools across the country to recognize the need for continued work on the topic of race and racial equity in our schools and across this country. 

"From cross-cultural communication and education to framing the teaching of enslavement, and hearing from other teacher’s on how to cultivate young anti-racists, 'push' became the theme of the conference for me," shared Third Grade Teacher Sarah Wiley.

Additionally, attendees took part in affinity groups, one of the most powerful and impactful parts of the PoCC for the way in which they "provide an opportunity for sharing and exploring your life and experiences within safe and supportive spaces defined by membership in a specific racial or ethnic identity group. Led by a team of trained facilitators, affinity group participants celebrate identities, share successes and challenges, and engage freely." 

Wiley launched After School's Young Activist Club earlier this year and will use much of what she learned in the club, as well as her classroom. "I’m grateful to USN for encouraging and creating a space that fosters community for faculty, staff, and students of color, while also inviting white constituents like me to learn and grow from their agency," she continued.

Keynote speakers for the conference included nationally renowned speakers:

• Eddie S. Glaude Jr., chair of Princeton's Department of African American Studies and president of the American Academy of Religion
• Bettina L. Love, award-winning author, professor at the University of Georgia, and co-founder of the Abolitionist Teaching Network
• Khyati Joshi, award-winning professor of education at Fairleigh Dickinson University
• Helen Zia, activist, award-winning author, and former journalist
• Lyla June, Indigenous musician, scholar, and community organizer of Diné (Navajo), Tsétsêhéstâhese (Cheyenne), and European lineages

High School Dean of Students Nicole Jules shared, "POCC allows me to refill my emotional tank every year. To see a sea of people of color in one space celebrating and affirming each other is so powerful. While this year was a bit different, it still allowed me to connect with friends across the country and have that time to be immersed in the spirit of the conference."

USN also co-hosted PoCC in November 2018. In addition to faculty and administrators serving on the planning committee, several High School faculty presented at the conference, and USN welcomed educators from around the country to tour 2000 Edgehill.