Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We provide children with opportunities to see not only themselves, but also other people, cultures, perspectives and ideas.
Diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at Latin School of Chicago enable us to fulfill an important element of our strategic plan, which commits us to “...cultivate a more inclusive and supportive climate for all constituents.”
These efforts also further our expressed desire to ensure that all students and faculty, particularly those historically underrepresented, use their voices and thrive. Latin is committed to fostering a school and classroom culture, and a curriculum that supports these goals. In practice, that means presenting students with authentic windows and mirrors, a variety of perspectives and meaningful, immersive experiences that allow them to understand themselves, others and the world around them.
DEI News & Events
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Action at Latin
How we define Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Diversity At Latin School of Chicago, diversity is defined as the wide range of human characteristics and identities--both individual and group--that inform an individual’s lived experience. We believe that there is inherent value in the perspectives, ideas, and ways of being that are embodied in a diverse school community.
EquityAt Latin School of Chicago, equity aims to ensure that each individual has access to our resources and support according to their needs. We strive to empower community members on their paths to success. We acknowledge that paths to success will vary with each individual and we commit to creating opportunities for all members of the community to thrive. In short, equity aims to operationalize equality by differentiating support based on the needs of each unique individual.
Inclusion At Latin School of Chicago, inclusion is defined as actively creating and sustaining an environment of respect in which all members of the community feel accepted, affirmed, empowered and safe. We agree that creating such an environment is a shared responsibility of all community members.
Our DEI Institutional Goals
The following goals are the result of a process that included gathering input from students, faculty, staff, families, alumni, Latin’s DEI practitioners and senior leadership. Five recurring themes emerged across all constituencies allowing us to identify both long term goals and short term action items that will assist us in addressing our comprehensive challenges. This work is both urgent and important and requires full participation in order to deliver the inclusive experience we promise to every student and family.
- Representation: Hire and retain more faculty and staff of color.
- Accountability: Create a culture of accountability for racist and discriminatory behavior.
- Inclusion: Create strategy for improving feelings of inclusion for Black and Latino/Latinx students.
- Professional Development/Education: Embed DEI work into Latin’s culture by committing resources to programming and education for all constituencies.
- Curriculum: Examine and adjust curriculum to better reflect/represent/include underrepresented perspectives school wide across all disciplines.
Representation: Hire and retain more faculty and staff of color.
Accountability: Create a culture of accountability for racist and discriminatory behavior.
Inclusion: Create strategy for improving feelings of inclusion for Black and Latino/Latinx students.
Professional Development/Education: Embed DEI work into Latin’s culture by committing resources to programming and education for all constituencies.
Curriculum: Examine and adjust curriculum to better reflect/represent/include underrepresented perspectives school wide across all disciplines.
Our Council for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Chair: Eleannor Maajid, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Head of School - Thomas Hagerman
- Assistant Head of School - Ryan Allen
- Divisional Directors - Bliss Tobin (lower school), Tray White (middle school) and Nick Baer (upper school)
- Divisional Diversity Coordinators - Kasey Taylor & Sheri Snopek (lower school), Kia London (middle school) and Kate Lorber-Crittenden (upper school)
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Upper School Curriculum Coordinator - Brandon Woods
- Board Member - Jenny Cizner
- Director of Academic Initiatives - Ingrid Dorer Fitzpatrick
- Director of Athletics
- Director of Enrollment Management - Mark Copestake
- Director of Human Resources- Susan Bolon
- Faculty Council Representative
- Parent Association DEI Liaison - Collin Espinales
- Parent Association President - Daione Mitchell
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