Research is conclusive that diversity and inclusion efforts yield positive outcomes in school communities. These benefits range from deeper student success and engagement to lower attrition. Many schools, however, struggle with implementing diversity and inclusion efforts because of different understandings of diversity that are not inclusive of all backgrounds, while also not distinguishing representation from inclusion and belonging. In our flagship workshop, suitable for all adults in the school community, Dr. Gay will leverage his 25 years of experience as a strategist, researcher, educator, and consultant to reframe diversity in ways that drive inclusion and belonging and help create positive school culture.

It’s important that every child in a school community have safe spaces. Yet for the important and sometimes difficult conversations central to your school’s diversity efforts you must also create brave spaces. This foundational workshop will help school leaders and educators deepen their personal understandings about how they process issues around inclusion and belonging, learn a tool to better identify how other process differently, and leverage insights to more effectively engage in courageous conversations around issues of inclusion and belonging with students and peers.

Topics of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are constantly changing and the pitfalls are many. Although many schools conduct diversity training, for the work to be sustained leaders must be not only aware of the latest issues and trends, but also be equipped with the strategies, mindsets, and best practices to respond. This workshop will leverage Dr. Gay’s breadth of experience working with hundreds of schools, businesses, and nonprofits around the world to share the latest trends and most importantly how you can respond.

Many parents inadvertently prepare their child to successfully navigate the parents' childhood world, rather than the 21st-century multicultural and global society that the child will actually inherit. Students are currently navigating a cosmopolitan world composed of individuals from different backgrounds, viewpoints, and experiences. Research finds that intercultural competency-- the ability to communicate and connect with people from different backgrounds with respect and empathy—is critical for success in a globally connected world. Moreover, there are strong correlations between student perception of belonging and maximizing academic attainment. In this workshop, Dr. Derrick Gay will leverage over 25 years leading efforts in over 800 schools and organizations around the world to share the latest research regarding belonging and its impact on learning, highlight current belonging challenges in K-12 schools, and provide resources for parenting.