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Unity in
Differences

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Our DEI Vision

To promote equity and cultivate an inclusive community of children, teachers and families where all cultures, backgrounds and perspectives are valued, embraced and celebrated. The Suzuki School ​cultivates a community where all can learn, love, thrive, be their true self and reach their full potential.

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Our Values

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We seek and value growth and learning.
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We are committed to the well-being of our school community.
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We believe children are prepared for life through holistic education.
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We value emotional intelligence and honest consideration of others’ perspectives.

Our Commitments

The commitment to be a diverse, equitable and inclusive school is not only the right thing to do, it’s integral to the parent partnerships and each child developing a lifelong love of learning. It also rings true in Maria Montessori’s commitment to the cause of peace and the brotherhood of nations—work that she received a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for in 1951. While many decades have passed, our commitment to her legacy continues. This effort requires a deep and intentional undertaking. We are humbled by the complexity and difficulty of living this commitment, and please know that we believe we will always be a “work in process”: flawed, but fully committed to becoming stronger and better over time to achieve our DEI vision.

1
Equity and Fairness

We actively work to dismantle disparate treatment and strive to create a sense of belonging in our community through affirming one another’s identities and creating connections.

2
Value Diverse Community

We seek out diverse community members with a shared vision for our mission. We actively teach children to be supportive advocates and friends through empathy and perspective-taking.

3
Responsive and Competent

We maintain a deep obligation to teaching practices that are culturally competent, responsive and supportive, void of applying intent or making assumptions when situations emerge. We commit to maintaining an active posture in learning, understanding and accounting for cultural differences amongst our community members.

4
Growth Mindset

We cultivate a community committed to growth in all things and recognize this work as a journey, not a destination. We are committed to expanding our knowledge of others and place value on diverse thoughts and opinions while pushing through possible discomfort for the good of the community as a whole.

What We Stand for—and Why

We believe that all faculty, parents and children should both know and feel that they are a part of the inner circle of our community as their authentic selves—with differences seen and celebrated and knowledge that the school community is strengthened by these ties. We believe that the vision of Maria Montessori to reach each child and help them reach their full potential cannot be achieved unless all the adults in our community create a safe environment that acknowledges, respects and supports their unique identities.

Our Expectations

As adults in the community, it is our responsibility to support this important work. The expectations we have of our community members include:

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Faculty, Leadership and Teachers

Support, lead and model the DEI vision, encouraging each unique child and knowing how to reach those who are different. Teachers also know how to work effectively and respectfully with their team of teachers to create and model the values of a positive and peaceful, diverse and inclusive learning environment.

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Parents

Support the students to grow up with a positive identity development, to embrace others different than them and to develop the ability to take the perspective of others.

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Students

Encourage exploration and celebrate not just their own identities, but those of different backgrounds, explore issues of fairness and promote healthy caring connections with others.