Our Wildwood, Summer 2021, Volume 46

FEATURE by Karen Dye, Director of Equity and Inclusion, and Monique Marshall, 5th Grade Lead Teacher; and contributors Steve Barrett, Director of Outreach; Deb Christenson, Upper School Humanities Teacher; and Landis Green, Head of School Wildwood’s DEIB Arch

as the father of progressive education in America, John Dewey solidified those ideas when he said, “All points of skill are represented in every race ... and a society that does not furnish the environment and education and opportunity of all kinds which will bring out and make effective the superior ability wherever it is born is not merely doing an injustice to that particular race and to those particular individuals, but it is doing an injustice to itself for it is depriving itself of just that much of social capital” (Dewey, 1909). Early on, Wildwood committed to a diverse community. Educator and lawyer Belle Mason led a group of parents who sought to establish “a different kind of school,” and it was soon evident that this included being accessible to all. By 1996, there was clear messaging around collaborative, open-minded inclusion and practice, as well. The head of school, Hope Boyd, was a powerful Black woman who made sure Wildwood was a community that felt warm and welcoming, where everyone said “good morning” to one another. At the same time, multicultural practice was left to the skills of the individuals who were hired, and the administration supported teachers who brought innovative ideas and anti-bias practice to life in their classrooms. FORMALIZATION OF INSTITUTIONAL COMMITMENT Rasheda Carroll served as the school’s first official diversity practitioner, beginning in 2001. By 2008,

When a middle school student was asked what belonging entails in a school community, this was the response:

“To belong means to be somewhere where I can just be myself.”

It seems simple. The question was asked during a meeting of the students of color in affinity space, and to the kids, it was obvious. But that simple statement packed a powerful punch, as research shows the ability to be one’s authentic self through growth and learning in the educational journey is critical to a student’s development and confidence throughout life. Fostering a sense of belonging at Wildwood is essential to our students’ success. When Wildwood was founded as an elementary school in 1971, the country was at the tail end of the civil rights movement and racial equality was at the forefront of many educational institutions. Especially in progressive education—which at its root emphasizes social democracy and responsibility—equity and justice were inherent to progressive pedagogy since German philosopher Johann Friedrich Herbart first made the connection between individual development and societal contribution in the early 19th century. He advocated that five key concepts provided the framework for moral and intellectual development, one of which was justice and equity. Known MULTICULTURALISM IN WILDWOOD’S FOUNDATION

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