Meet Mulgrave’s DEIJ Team

To support Mulgrave’s DEIJ mission, our school has a team of dedicated professionals, each with a unique focus. Led by Cynthia Roberson, five coordinators work to create safer spaces for students, implement our DEIJ Scope and Sequence (more on page 18), support colleagues in their teaching practices, and lead efforts to decolonise the curriculum. We are delighted to introduce them:

Cynthia Roberson, Director of DEI (she/her)

Cynthia is a DEI scholar and researcher interrogating the reproduction of racism in international schools. Throughout her fifteen years in education, she has engaged in DEI advocacy and work in the United States and abroad, including presenting at national and local conferences on equity and inclusion, as well as best practices and strategies for decolonising the English language arts curriculum. She holds Master’s degrees from Temple University and Saint Leo University and is a Doctor of Education candidate at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign.

Dean Skea, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator for EY and JS (he/him)

Dean is a Grade 3 teacher and supports EY and JS teachers on their journey through the school’s Anti Bias, Anti Racism course. He also works with grade-level teams to further implement the DEIJ Scope and Sequence and helps teachers develop resources that allow for more diversity, equity, and inclusion within classes. Outside of school, Dean enjoys spending time with his family and being outdoors. You will find him cooking, camping, hiking and taking walks with his dog on trails across the North Shore.

Noah Clark, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator for US (he/him)

Noah is an Upper School math and science teacher and serves as a resource to his colleagues on equity and inclusion matters as they work through the journey of decolonising the curriculum. Outside of school, Noah can be found on the volleyball court, camping, hiking, or marking lab reports at the local coffee shop while eating a delicious cinnamon roll.

Maia Wallace, DEI Coordinator (she/her)

Maia is a recent graduate from UBC. Her priority has been on the review and facilitation of the Anti Bias, Anti Racism course in which the entire faculty and staff engaged throughout the 2022-23 school year. Maia’s expertise centres on political and sociological theory with a strong passion for inter-personal connections. Maia spends her time travelling to visit family, enjoying quality moments with friends, and eating good food.

Raquel Teibert, Indigenous Education Coordinator (she/her)

Raquel is an Upper School social studies and English teacher. Her primary focus has been aligning the school’s journey toward Truth and Reconciliation with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s 94 Calls to Action. She believes that education can be a force for positive social change and encourages this through many initiatives in the school. Off campus, you can find Raquel lost in the shelves of used bookstores or enjoying poetry and painting at the beach.

Rebecca Brunswick-Werner, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Coordinator (she/her)

Rebecca is an Upper School teacher covering subjects ranging from chemistry and mathematics to Theory of Knowledge. She has engaged the Mulgrave community to deepen our knowledge of SOGI’s role in understanding our identities and supporting others’ by educating teachers through workshops, supporting students to organise speakers and events, and connecting with families at evening Q&A sessions. Outside of school, Rebecca enjoys reading science fiction novels, playing hockey, and spending time with her family (including two new ‘niblings’!).

Mulgrave’s DEIJ Strategic Council

The Council’s purpose is to identify and address barriers to equitable opportunities and outcomes for students, regardless of their background, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, or socioeconomic status. The group collaborates with teachers, families, and administrators on key activities, including:

• Reviewing and revising school policies and practices to ensure they create a safe and inclusive environment where all students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally

• Identifying and addressing issues of bias and discrimination in the school community

• Promoting cultural competence and understanding among all members of the school community

• Encouraging student engagement and leadership in promoting DEIJ values and initiatives

• Collecting and analysing data to measure the effectiveness of DEIJ initiatives and identify areas for improvement