The beginning of something impactful!
Last week, I had a great day with a group of amazing #headteachers and thought-leaders of Big Education in London. Our #Inclusive#Leadership series culminated in a #reflexive training session on how our social identities and privileges impact our choices and inclusions at work. The #demographics of the schools represented were highly #multicultural with many families from #ethnicminorities and #multifaith communities. This rendered our sharing all the more meaningful.
The evidence of a secure and mature space was that our #difficultconversations were had openly, with transparency, especially around how the historical legacy of #race impacts leadership, representation and pedagogy.
I had excellent feedback:
“The illustration of the ‘steps of respect’ was amazing. I learnt that the steps of respect show that moving people [from spaces of hatred, discrimination, prejudice and fear] to tolerance, respect, mutual understanding and diverse spaces of belonging doesn’t happen overnight. It is a process.”
“I’m thinking of how NOT to always assume the role of host!”
“I’m taking away the lesson that our organisation cannot go it alone. We need help. Being an ally means that you need outside help.”
“I learnt that diverse representation is key to students and parents taking the organisation seriously. We have to take this onboard.”
“I’m now figuring out how race intersects the other protected characteristics.”
“The legacy of race still has a subliminal impact on the way we face our business culture”
“I’m left with thinking that I need to get an honest conversation about race in my school.”
So, the journey continues. BIG EDUCATION are showing the way. As my esteemed colleague, Sylvia Stevenson Assoc. CIPD, CDE® would say, “You have your particular lap to run before you pass on the baton. What are you going to do on your lap?”
What next? There has to be a ‘next’ since we’re on a journey of laps. I’ve left the headteachers with some ideas, major among which is the RACE CHARTER MARK with Ann Palmer FCCT, which many of our schools are joining to benchmark their progress in being the enabling and empowerment space for our students to excel.
Why? Because we cannot go it alone! We’re here to journey with you!
Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession (CSTP), Leadership Think Tanks , Learning to Think, The Leadership Development Academy Programme – Coaching in Leadership, Leadership Training, Leadership First, General Counsel for Diversity & Inclusion (GCD&I), Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
@andi