School News

Lowell Hosts Regional Diversity and Inclusion Conversation for Elementary School Educators

“There is a real desire and need for faculty to come together regionally and tap into the collective wisdom found throughout our independent schools,” says Director of Primary School Jason Novak. The dinner and conversation held at Lowell last week met that need as teachers from twelve schools in the DMV examined the challenges and successes of their diversity, equity, and inclusion work. They tackled topics and questions such as “Privilege and Service Learning,” “Facilitating Change in the Face of Resistance,” and “How do school communities make change more visible?”

Participants broke up into small groups for an Open Space discussion facilitated by Jason and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Michelle Belton. Jason and Michelle both commented on the depth of the discussions and the multiple perspectives represented. Schools attending included Capitol Hill Day School, Flint Hill School, Langley School, Lowell School, Maret School, National Presbyterian School, Primary Day School, The River School, Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, Washington Episcopal School, and Washington International School.

The April event was not the first of its kind. After a regional meet-up at the 2015 NAIS People of Color Conference, Jason Novak and other area school leaders planned and executed the first dinner and conversation in 2016. For this event, the group partnered with AISGW to reach even more schools. Jason shares, “It is a pleasure to serve on this regional committee and continue to deepen this work.”
Lowell School is a private PK-8th grade school located in NW Washington, DC. Our mission is to create an inclusive community of lifelong learners in which each individual is valued and respected.