Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
DEI work is hard work. But it’s also joyous. Because really, at its core, DEI work at GA is about supporting each student through the journey of identity formation, giving them language and skills to articulate exactly who they are, and making them feel loved, respected, and seen for exactly who they are.
Theme & Focus
The DEI theme for the 2020-21 school year is 2020 Vision: Examining our Lenses and the focus of our programming—for the entire GA community—is on identity work.
For Students
We are excited to adopt and implement the Teaching Tolerance Social Justice Standards, a set of anchor standards and age-appropriate learning outcomes divided into four domains—identity, diversity, justice, and action. We are using these standards to guide our academic curriculum and to ensure that at each grade level, students are seeing themselves reflected in the curriculum and developing essential cultural competencies that will serve them throughout their academic and professional futures.
Lower School
You don’t have to be very old to understand feelings of fairness and justice. In the Lower School, DEI themes are woven into our day, from activities and monthly read-alouds to exploring issues at assembly.
- LS Books Page
- Guest speakers
- Videos & activities
Middle School
In Groups V-VIII, students engage more directly with DEI topics—such as social justice and allyship—academically and in extracurriculars.
- Affinity spaces
- Unity Week
- Curricular DEI connections
- Social justice literature units
Upper School
By high school, students are ready and eager to examine DEI issues deeply and with a focus on action.
- DEI presence in student government
- Affinity programs
- Clubs & student spaces
- Workshops
- Round-table lunches
- Offsite conferences & training
DEI@GA: Action
As part of its June 2020 commitment to the community and in advance of a new 10-year plan, GA has contracted with nationally recognized consultancy The Glasgow Group to conduct a DEI audit. Learn more about Glasgow here.
Meet the DEI Team
I think of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work as some of the most joyful work on campus because it's all about helping our students cultivate their identities, lead with empathy, and become advocates for social justice. Our goal is for every individual at Greenwich Academy to feel seen, respected and loved for all of what makes them who they are.
When a student critically interrogates who she is and how she moves through the world she equips herself with the tools to change her community from a place of empowerment and collaboration. This year in particular, so many of our students are engaging with this deep, personal work as a first step in their anti-racist and anti-bias journeys.
Kids have the ability to change the world—I’ve always believed that. And the conversations we’re having here about diversity, equity, and inclusion are the same conversations taking place at other schools in town. Together we can accomplish so much more and GA is ready to take the lead on this important work.
BOBBY WALKER JR
ASSISTANT HEAD FOR STUDENT & COMMUNITY LIFE, US HISTORY
Middle & Lower School DEI Representatives
KATE LEE
Group V Team Leader
Mandarin
CAROLINE MONTGELAS
MS Assistant Head
English
MICHELLE KENNEDY
PC Head Teacher
PAIGE MORLEY
Group II Head Teacher