GIFT Forum: Making the Case for Diversity in Independent Schools
Very few issues in an independent school cause as much passion and emotion as issues related to diversity. Guest speaker Gene Batiste, vice president of School Field Services & Equity and Justice Initiatives for the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), will explore diversity issues and trends impacting independent schools. Click to RSVP.
Very few issues in an independent school cause as much passion and emotion as issues related to diversity. Is this realization viewed as providing opportunities, causing threat, or something in between? How does the successful independent school fulfill its mission statement regarding diversity while addressing the various and sometimes conflicting needs of a more diverse school community. This presentation for heads of school, trustees, faculty/staff, and parent groups will explore the diversity issues and trends impacting independent schools as well as offer concrete and creative next step initiatives. The presentation will include a discussion of the process of building and sustaining an inclusive school community and an explanation of cultural identifiers. It will also provide an introduction of the National Association of Independent Schools' (NAIS) Principles of Good Practice for Equity and Justice, current diversity statistics, trends, and issues, an opportunity to develop a diversity mission statement and to learn about strategic planning for diversity, inclusion, and equity and justice in independent schools.
About Gene Batiste
As vice president for School Field Services & Equity and Justice Initiatives, Gene Batiste serves on the senior leadership team of NAIS. He is responsible for providing thought leadership and business solutions in the creation and implementation of products and services that support and expand NAIS’s commitment to serving independent school leaders and to building and sustaining inclusive independent school communities. He is the editor of the 2011 NAIS Handbook Independent School Headship.
Gene holds a B.S. degree in the social sciences, summa cum laude, from Wiley College, (a historically Black College/University) a M.Ed. degree, Phi Delta Kappa, in urban education and public school administration from North Texas State University, and an Ed.D. degree in educational and organization leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. Gene’s dissertation study was on how new heads of independent schools build relational trust in their first year of headship.
Back
About Gene Batiste
As vice president for School Field Services & Equity and Justice Initiatives, Gene Batiste serves on the senior leadership team of NAIS. He is responsible for providing thought leadership and business solutions in the creation and implementation of products and services that support and expand NAIS’s commitment to serving independent school leaders and to building and sustaining inclusive independent school communities. He is the editor of the 2011 NAIS Handbook Independent School Headship.
Gene holds a B.S. degree in the social sciences, summa cum laude, from Wiley College, (a historically Black College/University) a M.Ed. degree, Phi Delta Kappa, in urban education and public school administration from North Texas State University, and an Ed.D. degree in educational and organization leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. Gene’s dissertation study was on how new heads of independent schools build relational trust in their first year of headship.
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
