A Journey to Common Ground
Growing up as a first-generation citizen, I had two parents who always expressed the importance of education. When they immigrated from Mexico, my mother and father came to the United States in search of a better life. Through their hard work, they taught me to persevere and told me that an education would provide a path to success. Along with that, they taught me to honor everyone’s humanity and to bring others up with me. Since an early age, I’ve learned that your light doesn’t have to dim for mine to shine, and vice versa – we can shine together.
I attended Denver Public Schools until eighth grade, and through my parents’ support, good fortune and teachers who believed in me, I received full scholarships to Kent Denver School and Northwestern University. Most of my peers from middle school topped out at high school graduation. I quickly realized the inequities in education and often wondered why I received these advantages and not my peers who were just as worthy and capable. My passion for education stemmed from these experiences, and my work in diversity, equity and inclusivity began.
Beyond access to resources such as a high-quality education, an inclusive environment is necessary to success. Inclusivity creates a sense of belonging and ensures all voices are valued and heard. At Graland, we want all members of the community to feel like they can thrive and shine. Tied to our Guiding Principle, Honor Individuality, we want to embrace and welcome all students, faculty, staff and families.
As I implement the School’s diversity, equity, inclusivity and multicultural efforts, I’m using the 2017-22 Strategic Plan pillars of Program, Faculty, Community and Resources to guide my work. I’m asking questions such as who is present in our community and who is not? Are all voices heard and honored? Do community members have what they need to succeed? In order to embrace and welcome all members of the community, I am evaluating all facets of our program and culture to ensure we create a diverse school and maintain an inclusive environment where we can all prosper.
Graland’s mission, guiding principles and Diversity and Inclusivity Philosophy and Policy lend themselves to fostering an inclusive community. During my hiring process, I was very impressed with all the deliberate work that has been done already. It was very clear that equity and inclusivity are priorities and that Graland has been intentional about building on an already strong foundation while ensuring we also reach the next summit.
The Graland Parent Association’s Equity and Inclusivity Committee ensures all GPA-sponsored events are as inclusive as possible while the School Climate Advisory Committee to the Head of School will provide recommendations to hold Graland accountable. There are also a multitude of professional development opportunities for faculty, and the student experience is always at the front of mind.
When everyone can prosper and shine, then human-to-human connections come more easily. According to the Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground, Dr. Howard Thurman of Boston University believed that common ground can be achieved through personal self-exploration and building community, and that “…meaningful and creative shared experiences between people can be more compelling than all of the faiths, fears, concepts and ideologies that separate them. And, if these experiences can be multiplied and sustained over a sufficient duration of time, then any barrier that separates one person from another can be undermined and eliminated.”
Traditionally, “commons” have been a physical location open to everyone for interpersonal communication. Simply put, Graland can be the common ground for meaningful interactions and connections to occur. As an academic institution, we can and should provide a venue for civil discourse where members can cultivate compassion and build community. None of us have gotten to where we are alone, so we must seek to learn from one another. Inclusivity is big, important work, and it requires ownership from all.
Oscar joined Graland in 2017 and works to create a sense of belonging so that everyone feels welcome and included. He also educates our community about issues surrounding social justice, equity and inclusion. The first in his family to graduate from college, Oscar has a degree from Northwestern University.
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.
