Representation Matters

By Jamie Reynolds, Director of Communications

In conjunction with 29 Mainers, a portrait exhibit on display last year in Jackson Library, which shines a light on Black Maine residents, Trustee Jermaine Moore P’24 took the stage at the Patricia Baldwin Whipple Arts Center as a visiting speaker.

Among many other Maine citizens, the exhibit, created by Moore’s wife, photographer Erin Moore, featured Head of School Jim Hamilton, one Upper School student, and two Lower School students.

“Of all the work I do, I would say diversity, equity, and inclusion is probably the hardest, but it’s also the most rewarding,” began Moore, the founder of The Mars Hill Group, which specializes in a variety of leadership and development services, including DEI. “I really do believe that if we do DEI well, not only can we impact current generations, but also generations to come.”

In his October address, Moore spoke for 30 minutes about social constructs, pushing against narratives, how biases work, and why representation matters. Especially in Maine, statistically considered the Whitest state in the country, it is important to have Black people represented in the community.

“We lack exposure, simply due to demographics,” Moore explained. ”Get to know people who are different from you. Be intentional about getting out of your bubble, where we’re all very

Berwick’s innovative and student-centered approach to its curriculum and classroom instruction was appealing to Carabatsos, who earned a B.S. in biochemistry from Boston College and a Ph.D. in cell, molecular, and developmental biology from the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences at Tufts University. She also served as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Pediatric Oncology at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

After spending time as a science teacher and department chair in the Andover, Massachusetts, public school system and at Brooks School in North Andover, where she chaired the Science Department and served as director of teaching and learning, Carabatsos moved to Masconomet Regional High School in Boxford, where she serves as principal and is responsible for the instructional needs of 1,100 students.

“I keep thinking how lucky and honored I feel to join this community doing this good and innovative work for and with students,” Carabatsos said. “The idea of moving to a school where I can work directly with teachers and impact the student experience brings me back to my real passion, which is teaching and learning.” comfortable, and make a commitment to use your influence to advance this work.”

The message that resonated most centered around the desire to be cared for and loved. “Berwick wants to create a culture where, no matter how you identify, you feel welcomed, valued, respected, seen, and heard,” Moore concluded. “When we do that, it creates a sense of belonging, and we all want to feel like we belong.”