USN co-hosts equity, inclusion conference

Independent school colleagues from across the nation visited USN during the annual People of Color Conference, co-chaired by USN administrators and faculty.
University School of Nashville hosted few dozen visitors from around the country and helped plan a diversity, equity, and inclusion conference that brought more than 6,500 people to the Music City Center, more than three times the number of People of Color Conference attendees as its last Nashville stint in 2000.

Head of High School Quinton P. Walker and HS Counselor Beth Eberl co-chaired the local PoCC committee on which Office of Diversity and Community Life Director Roderick White, HS Dean of Student Nicole Jules, and Second Grade Teacher Victoria Roca also served to plan the conference. A conference of the National Association of Independent Schools, PoCC is for educators to promote equity and justice in teaching, learning, and organizational development at private schools. During the conference, administrators, faculty, and staff participated in seminars, peer-led workshops, affinity group discussions, and general sessions with keynote speakers. 

“Any chance I can have to help create space for people to learn, reflect, and connect around matters of equity in one I'll gladly take. It's my sincerest hope that my colleagues — both here at USN and across the country — take away an increased sense of competence when it comes to the work of supporting more just school communities,” Walker said. “Some will have a renewed sense of purpose and energy after the conference, a rededication to leading the charge of inclusivity at their schools. Others will enlarge their skill set and add new tools to their repertoire. Some will consider the concept of allyship and what it means to their respective schools. Still, others will forge connections, building the professional network that's essential to thriving in independent schools.”

Some 50 colleagues from independent schools across the country visited USN on Wednesday, Nov. 28. Teams of faculty and seniors led them through school tours before breakout sessions with division heads. Jadyn Sheats ’22 spoke on her eighth grade Change Project and her work with the Office of Diversity and Community Life to increase cultural awareness and inclusivity at USN. White shared the work of the four diversity committees: outreach, hiring & retention, cultural competency, and curriculum shared some of the programs and initiatives the school has taken to fulfill its missions to reflect Nashville’s diversity.

On Thursday, Nov. 29, HS History Teacher Anna Stern led the session “They Just Said What? Helping Early Career Teachers Learn How to Navigate the Trickiest Moments.” The panel included Jules, White, HS English Department Chair Freya Sachs, HS History Teacher Matthew Haber ’98 alongside a Wayland Academy colleague to prepare faculty for how to guide students through sensitive conversations, to debrief inappropriate behaviors, and to make classrooms safe and supportive spaces. Isha Upender '19 also performed a traditional South Indian dance during a general session. 

Concurrently, six USN students attend the Student Diversity Leadership Conference, a multiracial, multicultural gathering of HS students to develop cross-cultural communication skills, design effective strategies for social justice practice through dialogue and the arts, and learn the foundations of allyship and networking principles.

“SDLC was an enlightening experience for me. I learned that we as a generation have an innate, collective drive for change. It was amazing to see the passion within the Asian American Affinity group, which embodies the passion of our affinity groups and the school as a whole," said Arjun Dasar '19. Understanding the psychological distress that comes with microaggressions through cognitive dissonance was an interesting concept that I hope to teach students at our school who are facing adversity."

Sonali Dasari ’19, Amara Payne ’19, Lillian Worley ’20, Yenni Gonzalez-Salinas ’21 and Mayowa Kassim ’21 also represented USN during SDLC.
Back

School News

List of 3 news stories.

Archive

Athletics News

List of 3 news stories.

  • Mountain Bike Team Takes on “Electric" State Champs Trails, Dehner Snags Overall Podium Medal

    Steve Smail & MTB Team Coaches
    With trail names like Megawatt, Electric Avenue, High Voltage and Livewire, the mountain bike team knew it was time to pedal out some extra watts for their NICA/TICL State Championships at Raccoon Mountain, and survive the technical trails above Chattanooga full of boulder gardens, rock drops and sandy rubble.
    Read More

  • Mountain Bike Team Takes on Winged Deer Trails, HS Makes Podium Appearance

    Steve Smail
    Winged Deer Park and trails in Johnson City hosted our 4th race on Sunday October 11th, and despite a bit of hurricane outwash winds and showers - and reduced team numbers due to fall break and distance from Nashville - our racers utilized all available skills and speed which helped “wing" Sophomore Claire Dehner to a 4th place podium spot, our first podium appearance and medal for the season.
     
    Read More

  • HS athletics recaps for September 11-17

    Tiger golfers have officially qualified for the region tournament, and our other teams are not far behind. Volleyball sits near the top of the district, finishing up regular season play next week with Senior Night. Girls soccer continues to hold first place in the district after another 9-0 win, and our cross country runners are chasing after some school records. To round it all out, our mountain bike team traveled to Oakfield to continue to improve on their times for the season. There’s plenty more where that came from- so be sure to come out to the River Campus, Sperling Gym, or out on the road to cheer on our Tigers before their seasons end.
    Read More

Contact

Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212

Phone:  615-321-8000
Fax:       615-321-0889 
Email:    info@usn.org

River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218

Resources

USN Mission: 
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.