THREADS
A SENSE OF BELONGING FOR EVERYONE The Office of Community Engagement & Inclusion
CEI Office & Parent Diversity Council at the Celebration of Diversity event
T
hreads of tradition woven w it h c ord s of i n nov at ion knit together the tapestr y of belonging at Ensworth. Ensworth has offered a progressive educational ex perience since the 1950s a nd continues to be on the cutting edge of academic practices and technological innovation. Growing as a community also entails expansion beyond social nor ms, especia l ly i n t he world of independent schools. Ensworth strives to be at the forefront when it comes to diversity, inclusion, and belonging, which resulted in the formalization and expansion of the Office of Community Engagement and Inclusion in 2020. David Whitfield, a fifteen-year veteran Enswor th teacher a nd community leader, is at the helm as its Director and has been doing this work at Ensworth and in the surrounding community for decades. Whitfield shares that “for
Dr. Terrence McNeil educates the HS Students about Kwanzaa
Ensworth to reach its fullest potential, we have to develop the best practices and systems in relation to diversity and inclusion.” Best practices and systems stem from the threads of listening, being informed, engaging community members in conversations, and empowering said members to carry the reins.
of these conversations. With dialogue, voices were heard and plans were made, but the mobilization of such efforts and desires was complicated. Considering COVID restrictions, communication challenges due to virtual connections, two campuses, and three divisions of the school, supporting the families, faculty, and community members in this way proved to require more than a single person or even one idea.
David Whitfield’s work at Ensworth has focused on education, mentorship, and engagement from the start. Although At the conclusion of the 2020-2021 Mr. Whitfield was initially hesitant to school yea r, t he ex pa nsion of t he have an official title, he knew that to Office of Community Engagement and grow the work, formalization was key. Inclusion grew to include Hope Moeller During the 2020-2021 school year, a (Grade 2 Teacher) as the Lower School group of faculty and staff members met representative, Maur ice Hopk ins as a part of the Inclusion Committee (History Teacher, Service Learning to have conversations on race, as well Coordinator, and Coach) as the Middle a s to discuss the nature of things School representative, and the Parent happening in the world, their effects on Diversity Council. With David acting the Ensworth community, and how to as the rep for the High School and the respond. Parents were a part of many Office’s leader, all of the community had 2022 WINTER | 11
