DIVERSITY

Director Of Dei Helps Sa Unpack

Even prior to accepting the ongoing role as SA’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in February, Derek Chimner ’04 recognized his colleagues’ need for adult education workshops and spaces to have crucial, and at times uncomfortable, conversations with internal community members.

While attending the People of Color Conference (PoCC), sponsored by the National Association of Independent Schools, Derek engaged in a workshop called “Using ActionBased Definitions for DEIJBA” led by Dr. Liza Talusan, author of The Identity Conscious Educator: Building habits and skills for a more inclusive school. She spoke of the need to truly unpack the meanings behind Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, Belonging, and Accessibility (DEIJBA) in order to have meaningful, relevant, and effective strategic plans and institutional buy-in. Embracing the expression, “what is said here, stays here, but what is learned here, leaves here,” Mr. Chimner began leading interested faculty and staff in discussions on how the components of DEIJBA are defined and represented at SA.

The workshops began on January 18 with a deep-dive into diversity and SA’s definition of the word, particularly as it is one of the Academy’s Core Values. Participants engaged in an enlightening discussion centered around the Waterline of Visibility graphic shown below and the community’s tendency to focus on what makes someone visibly diverse, such as skin color, race, age, and gender, as opposed to what may be considered hidden diversity like values, skills, political views, and learning differences. The group discussed the diversity of SA’s community and how that diversity can lead to empathy, open-minded conversations, shared experiences, and confidence.

In-depth, active discussions have followed and will be ongoing through the end of the academic year. Participants in Mr. Chimner’s workshops are thoughtfully evaluating Sewickley Academy’s strengths and blind spots. For instance, regarding inclusivity, it was agreed that SA is inclusive of religions and cultures, represents diverse figures across curriculum, and provides space and ability to put a voice to DEI conversations. We will continue to pursue opportunities to be more inclusive of and accessible to a wider population.

Members of our SA community have varying levels of DEI understanding and education. Some have been engaged in this work for years, and others have only just begun to unpack their knowledge of DEI topics. Some constituents live and express it outwardly, while others are more internal and quietly passionate. These workshops are a step toward bringing these separate groups, and those who fall somewhere in-between, together in valuable, collaborative education, discussion, and an opportunity to better our own understanding as a school community.

Mr. Chimner’s work is helping to ensure that the Sewickley Academy culture reflects fresh and multiple perspectives and understanding for students and their families, as well as faculty, staff, and alumni.

The reviews are in, and...Sewickley Academy topped the charts! Thanks to the generosity of a sell-out crowd and online donors, the SA Auction was #1 at the box office on Saturday, April 22, 2023. In fact, it was a blockbuster year with more than $460,000 raised! Funds donated impact SA students across academics, athletics, arts, and more, and help faculty and staff with resources and professional development opportunities. This year’s auction also exceeded the goal for Breakthrough Pittsburgh and our Fund-A-Need initiatives!

As always, the true stars of Sewickley Academy are the students, and they did not disappoint at Lights, Camera, Auction! Freshman Emma Ehan and sophomore Avni Kathju shared their experiences on the service trip to Belize, junior Max Peluso and senior Ibrahim Khan literally sang for their supper as they shared the significance of Rea Auditorium to their SA experience, and senior Isaac Ulloa explained how Breakthrough Pittsburgh has been life changing for him.

Much appreciation is extended to the members of the Auction Committee who volunteered countless hours of planning and preparation: Annie Batyko, Carey Byrnes, Sonia Chowdhry, Cyra Contractor ’99, Dru Cox, Tammy DeFallo, CJ Duckett, Lauren Garraux, Carlin Griffin, Kati Hammond, Janice Hay, Lesly Kasky, Susan Kinser, Annie Mancos, Naomi Marshall, Stephanie Menzock, Rachel Murphy, Lindsey Petruska, Elizabeth Purpura, Jessica Revtai, Terri Schubenski, Dawn Schultz, Holly Seifert ’01, Brittani Spencer, Jayme Thompson, and Jennifer Young.

Mark your calendars for next year’s event on Saturday, April 20, 2024!