From: Jeri Janowsky, Ph.D., Previous Executive Director for Saturday Academy
Saturday Academy recently completed a year-long training on equity and inclusion. Why? Because inspiring curiosity in all children means understanding them; where they are coming from and their specific needs. After all, the students we serve today are the future of our community.
That means putting aside our assumptions, and opening up our eyes to the inequities in our community, our own ignorance that perpetuates them, and doing the hard work to be inclusive at all levels – within Saturday Academy and in every class, camp, internship and workshop we create. This will not happen overnight, nor will it ever be complete.
Our first step was to create a public equity statement as a pillar to hold us accountable. We have begun to review our policies, and the hiring and training of our staff, instructors and mentors, so that the content of our programs promote an inclusive culture. You’ll note that our statement focuses first on racial equity. In getting that right, our ability to serve those from other disadvantaged social groups, backgrounds and identities will follow. Advocating for all is essential.
We hope you’ll join us as we undertake this work. I welcome your feedback. Our community will be better for it. Thank you.
- Jeri