Cary Academy embarked on a year-long projected called "Dialogue Across Difference" with Essential Partners from Cambridge, Mass. The project began during a professional day on Sept 5, where all employees were introduced to the concept of dialogue as a bridge across difference. The following day, a smaller subset of employees spent a day of intense training on structuring and modeling dialogues, which could be used in classrooms and other settings across campus. The project will expand as the year unfolds, to include students and parents.
by Jason Franklin, Director of Diversity and Inclusion
Have you ever wondered why we have so many diversity activities at Cary Academy?
Have you wondered why we offer so many programs and initiatives designed to foster student and community growth?
Well, I want to give you an inside view of why diversity and inclusion nests at the forefront of our learning and our approach to building community.
Silent Sam monument at UNC-Chapel Hill, taken in 1913
This week, I had the good fortune of participating on a six-member panel for Dr. McElreath’s US History class. We were asked to critique the presentation skills and critical responses. The panelists were assigned mock memberships of state and federal congresses with opposing interests and viewpoints. The students showed the panel a glimpse of a democracy at its finest.
First, let me tell you about what they were presenting. The Upper School students had to present viable outcomes that supported keeping confederate statues, or they had to present outcomes that removed those same confederate statues. The students were placed into three groups and their recommendations varied from one extreme to the other. They presented information based on research using digital visuals to support their approach. Each group had to collaborate using their talents to compose the presentations.
But check this out. What really impressed me about the entire exercise is that each group took their stance seriously whether they believed in that stance or not. These students were willing to engage in honest sincere dialog across difference. I could not help but be envious of their classroom experience with Dr. McElreath in the 11th or 12th grade. This is not to say that his class is the only one, because we have these kinds of experiences throughout the entire middle and upper schools- even beyond the school walls. We are not afraid to ask the tough questions in our classes, affinity groups, or community discussions; even if the solutions are not attainable- yet.
Wow, I wonder what would happen if the adults across the nation had this kind of experience. Imagine what new possibilities that could germinate and flourish.
Written by Jason Franklin, Director of Equity & Inclusion
I am pleased to let you know about an enrichment opportunity for parents here in the Cary Academy community: SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity). This will be our second CA SEED Parent Project.
The National SEED Project on Inclusive Curriculum is a peer-led professional development program that promotes change through self-reflection and interpersonal dialogue and builds capacity for more equitable curriculum, campuses, and communities. It engages parents, teachers, and community leaders from all types of schools, grade levels, and geographical locations.
SEED seminars are facilitated by teachers who have been trained as SEED leaders. SEED leaders do not lecture. Instead, they lead peers in experiential, interactive activities and conversations often stimulated by films and readings. The monthly seminars deepen participants’ understanding of themselves and expand their knowledge of the world. In each seminar, SEED participants use their own experiences and those of their children to make themselves more effective as partners in their children’s education, and more resilient as parents interested in making their communities and schools more inclusive. SEED values parents’ voices so they can, in turn, better value the voices of their children and their friends and classmates.
Jason Franklin and Kara Caccuitto will be facilitating the sessions for interested parents throughout the school year on the following Thursday: 9/15, Thursday 10/6, Thursday11/3, Thursday 12/1, Thursday 1/5,Thursday 1/26, Thursday 2/16, Thursday 3/16, Thursday 4/20, and Thursday 5/11.
The seminar will run from 4:30-7:30 pm. If you are interested, please contact Kara Caccuitto or Jason Franklinby September 3rd, as space is limited.
I hope you will consider joining SEED as part of your commitment to community engagement and our commitment to diversity and inclusion here at Cary Academy.
