Faculty Takeaways from the People of Color Conference

The National Association of Independent Schools' People of Color Conference (POCC) is an annual gathering of educational and administrative professionals committed to equity and justice in independent schools. This year, a six-person contingent representing Millbrook traveled to St. Louis to attend workshops, affinity sessions, and keynote speeches that were affirming and inspiring through shared ideas and experiences.

 

Led by Dean of Diversity, Education, Inclusion and Belonging Prince Botchway, educators Jack Harlan, Sophie Kennedy, Ugo Okolie, Tatiana Quintanilla, and Senior Associate Director of Admission & Faculty Engagement Devandria Bernard participated in wide-ranging programming. All connected with other educators and came away empowered and eager to bring their experiences and consideration of further areas for growth back to campus. 

 

As humanities teachers, Jack Harlan and Sophie Kennedy examined the role of lessons and curriculum in furthering the DEIB dialog. They gained insight into white accountability among faculty and the need for Millbrook, an independent school with inherent freedoms, to improve equity and justice in all schools.

 

Tatiana Quintanilla participated in LatinX and international affinity groups and made instant connections with peers, swapping contact information and sharing ideas for classwork. Ugo Okolie found fellowship and insight in a workshop for Black male educators focusing on vulnerability, intentionality, and language. 

 

An overarching takeaway shared by attendees was the importance of being heard by all community members as the best path to creating a truly inclusive school. Devandria Bernard recounted her joy and empowerment at sharing honestly and openly with other attendees and her desire to enhance similar opportunities at Millbrook.

 

Millbrook’s pursuit of equity and diversity necessarily includes recruiting and retaining extraordinary faculty of color, and in one session, Prince and Devandria gained research on how to best attract and retain a diverse faculty. A culture of belonging and community is essential to faculty of color, and the successful creation of this culture must be intentional and thoughtful.

 

In interactions with faculty and staff from other independent schools, Millbrook’s POCC group recognized progress on campus, highlighting broad support of student affinity groups and Millbrook's financial aid methodology, and agreed that increased faculty and administrator engagement at POCC and similar events would be beneficial. Millbrook faculty can also continue to tailor the curriculum to provide students with tools to start conversations and affect change in our community and the broader world.

 

While Prince Botchway directs Millbrook initiatives for greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, ultimately, DEIB touches all areas of school culture, and greater awareness and pursuit of these ideals is the responsibility of every community member.