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Foundational Intercultural Competency Capacity Building
I recently had a great consultation in Montevideo at the Uruguayan American School. During my two days onsite, I provided foundational intercultural competency capacity building for middle and upper school students, faculty and staff, parents, senior administration, and the board.
During our sessions, I invited constituents to reflect on the knowledge, skills, and competencies that students will require to interact with individuals from similar and different backgrounds currently at school, later at university, during their careers, and in their lives.
I also provided DEIB trends, specifically from international schools in Central and South America, while sharing best practices to foster an inclusive school community.
Celebrating Seven Years of Collaboration
I am deeply appreciative of the seven years of collaboration with Colegio Nueva Granada to deepen intercultural competency and belonging.
I look forward to returning to Bogotá, Colombia in August to lead professional develop and iterate strategy.
Love working with such incredible schools in São Paulo!
“Foi um enorme prazer receber Dr. Derrick Gay esta semana na Escola Concept para falar sobre fluência global e a interseção enter competência intercultural, aprendizado socioemocional e desenvolvimento de caráter.
É sempre um prazer encontrá-lo e aprender com você, Dr. Derrick Gay. Estou ansiosa pelo nosso próximo encontro em outubro.
It was a huge pleasure to have Dr. Derrick Gay talking to learners, parents, and educators at Escola Concept this week about global fluency and the intersection between intercultural competencies, social emotional learning, and character development.
It is always a pleasure to see you and to learn from you Dr. Derrick Gay. I am looking forward to working together again in October.”
A Meaningful Inaugural Visit to the Sāo Paulo campus of Escola Concept
What a meaningful inaugural visit to the Sāo Paulo campus of Escola Concept!
During this first consultation, I facilitated conversations with middle and upper school students, parents, and employees around belonging, within an intercultural competency framework. The school currently leverages Habits of Mind, design thinking, SEL, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, so I was able to build this foundation.
So many students approached me after the talks to pose questions about belonging, to share specific aspects of the presentations that resonated, or to explain about their individual action research projects within the realm of belonging and intercultural competency.
I also felt like Beyoncé as so many students requested photographs! :)
Adults were equally appreciative of the talks and posed thoughtful questions regarding strategies to support cultivating openmindedness with children in developmentally appropriate ways while navigating the challenges of today's world, particularly regarding social media influences in an increasingly polarized world.
I look forward to returning in October to continue our efforts! Many thanks to Priscila Torres and the entire community for their partnership.
Building Community and Belonging Task Force
Another meaningful consultation in Bogotá, Colombia at Colegio Nueva Granada.
During this 6th consultation, I spent two days working with the board, parents, faculty and staff, and the Building Community and Belonging (BCB) Task Force.
I also continued my ongoing data collection through middle and upper school focus groups to learn from and amplify student voice to inform ongoing DEIB and intercultural competency efforts.
You know that you have become part of the school community when the security guards tells you upon entering the school: "Es usted que ha venido siempre!" (You're the one who comes all the time).
Looking forward to returning next year!
Deepening Intercultural Competency
I recently returned from a few weeks of consulting in Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Peru. I am excited to share insights from my partnerships to foster and sustain inclusive organizations starting with El Salvador.
I am proud of my ongoing partnership with Escuela Americana and head of school, Polly Parker, PhD. Take a listen to the video to learn more about our efforts to foster belonging so that all students flourish.
Dr. Gay Named 2020 Dr. Maria Montessori Ambassador Award Recipient
Every year, through a variety of awards, the American Montessori Society (AMS) honors individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the Montessori Movement. AMS is proud to honor and recognize the ways in which they move Montessori forward.
“An ordinary teacher cannot be transformed into a Montessori teacher, but must be created anew, having rid herself of pedagogical prejudices.”
The Dr. Maria Montessori Ambassador Award honors individuals who, through their work in a variety of areas such as the arts, sports, government, and higher education, are fostering a landscape in which Montessori education cannot only thrive but flourish.
Dr. Derrick Gay is proud to be the 2020 Dr. Maria Montessori Ambassador Award recipient. Other award recipients include Ashley Judd (2023), Wynton Marsalis (2022), and Chelsea Clinton (2021).
On accepting the award, Dr. Gay remarked,
"I consider myself fortunate to have served and advocated in the education space over the past 23 years, consulting with organizations across many sectors (education, nonprofit, finance, law, the arts). If I had to impart one lesson to empower individuals to design and support inclusive environments, I would share this: Inclusion is always intentional. Cultivating a sense of belonging and connectedness is not an organic function of our belief that we are good people. Moreover, while Montessori undoubtedly values inclusion, this belief should not be confused with action. Inclusion always requires the ongoing intentional efforts of each and every one of us in the community in partnership with each other."
Find out more about the American Montessori Society on their website.