ACES
Appropriate Civic Engagement Subcommittee
BY ELDRICH CARR, HEAD OF SCHOOL Throughout the tumult of the past year, Marburn Academy encountered many challenges and themes that could have created schisms within our community. Marburn’s academic program and culture of respect were tried and tested as social and political unrest swept across Central Ohio, the United States, and the world. Fortunately, and not surprisingly, Marburn Academy faced each moment with a courage and judiciousness that created a stronger, more unified community than ever. It all started with keeping the safety and well-being of each community member at the forefront of our work, a key marker of Marburn’s culture for decades.
dable period of time, Marburn Academy created the Appropriate Civic Engagement Subcommittee (ACES) to support the work of the entire community. As an offshoot of its long-standing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, ACES created
cultivating respectful dialogues between opposing parties, the work of ACES was seen directly and indirectly in Marburn Academy’s outcomes. As heated political rhetoric began to build in September and October with a tense and competitive presidential election around the corner, ACES helped Marburn prepare responsibly. When history unfolded on January 6th in Washington, D.C., ACES helped Marburn digest the unprecedented events and prepare to support the most impacted community members. Into the spring, ACES was watchful and prepared if the need High School students watch the arose to support the 2020 Inauguration, a decision community even furmade prior to election results. ther.
For many, feeling safe wasn’t just about one’s physical health last year, but also being in an environment where various social and political viewpoints could be discussed, scrutinized, and studied honestly and without prejudice or fear of reprisal—a marker, then and now, of a healthy academic program.
the time, energy, and focus for members of faculty and staff to be both proactive and reactive to potentially charged events, conversations, and topics. From drafting clear and open communications to the community at large to leading faculty and staff trainings aimed at
To this end and in response to this formi-
ACES COMMITTEE Rachel Ammons Music Teacher
Erin Barr Director of Marketing and Communications
Eldrich Carr Head of School
Liesl Huenemann Academic Dean and Head of Specials
Kelly Hunter-Rice Former Dean of Students
Ultimately, ACES helped Marburn Academy maintain a civil and safe intellectual space for students, families, faculty and staff to endure, learn, and grow together. ACES is just another point of Panther pride, proving, once again, our potential is limitless if we work together.
Jennifer Martin-Gledhill Associate Head of School
Maureen Moore Middle/High School Teacher
Thomas Savage Outreach Coordinator
Co-Chair
Co-Chair
Leigh Hill Executive Assistant to the Head of School and Office Manager
Archana Ramanujam Speech Language Pathologist Coordinator
Rachel Ammons Music Teacher
Maggie Bender JPSN Scholarship Coordinator
Leslie Dilley Lower Division Teacher
Kelly Hunter-Rice Former Dean of Students
Shetal Parikh Director of Admission
Ruth Rubin College Guidance Coordinator
Thomas Savage Outreach Coordinator
Paul Van Dop Middle Division Teacher
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