Our Inclusive Community
TPS Diversity Statement
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Tuxedo Park School is a diverse community of educators and learners. We are an inclusive school that offers a rich multicultural curriculum, explicitly addressing the social identifiers of ability, age, ethnicity, body image, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, race, and religion. Through our curriculum and cultural programs, we are committed to building an educational environment in which every student feels safe. We encourage students to examine human similarities and differences and approach the world with an open mind. We strive to cultivate responsible citizens, who will understand and value their role in the diverse world beyond our school community. |
How We Support Our Inclusive Environment
At Tuxedo Park School, we intentionally learn about and celebrate our diversity. TPS is committed to generating conversations that support individual members while confronting issues that can impede building a more inclusive space. Through the discovery of foundational research and rich discussion, we can implement actionable steps that address our community's needs.
In the summer of 2019, the Board of Trustees and faculty committed to building a stronger and more equitable community for students and adults. Martha Haakmat, founder and director of Haakmat Consulting LLC, worked with the TPS community in the fall of 2019 and led several professional development sessions with faculty, trustee members, and families throughout the academic year.
In the 2022-23 school year, TPS worked with DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) consultant Shanelle Henry. Shanelle is the Director of DEI at Greens Farms Academy and has 20 years of experience in the field. Shanelle brought her expertise to our students, faculty, staff, families, and trustees through shared learning experiences, reflection, and discussion.
Tuxedo Park School is dedicated to fostering an inclusive community where racial literacy and awareness of bias are integral to our mission. Our curriculum integrates literature and activities that embrace diverse perspectives and lived experiences. Through our advisory and character development program, we provide deliberate opportunities for learning, reflection, and personal growth. At the start of each school year, students and faculty engage in exploring their identities and biases. We are honor and celebrate impactful individuals, both in our immediate and in the greater community, through dedicated activities, school-wide assemblies, and curriculum updates. This work is ongoing and we extend our heartfelt thanks to all community members who generously contribute their time and support to these initiatives.
Student Workshop
Throughout Black History Month students dedicated time to learn the stories of others, developing understanding and appreciation for individual journeys. The month culminated with a student workshop led by Jason Craige Harris. Harris prioritizes cultivating listeners and learners here at TPS, as those qualities lead to personal reflection and growth. Older students dove deeper into learning and discussing how the stories that we tell ourselves about others can be harmful, and how we can challenge these stories to better ensure that others are seen, heard, and treated with respect.
Women in STEM Panel
In April of 2022, we welcomed five incredible women (and TPS parents) to our Women in STEM panel at TPS. The panel featured questions about why they chose their careers in STEM, what it’s like being a woman in the STEM field, what challenges and roadblocks they’ve faced, and advice for students, particularly girls, who wish to pursue careers in STEM. The panel concluded with a Q&A where students could learn more about the specifics of their careers. We are grateful to these powerful and hardworking women in our community for being leaders in the field of STEM and for inspiring our students to be future STEMinists!
Teacher Workshop
TPS’ DEI Consultant, Shanelle Henry, facilitated a professional development workshop for faculty and staff in early September of 2022, to build upon past workshops and strengthen understanding, habits, and skills for meaningful Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) discussions.
TPS is committed to devoting resources, time, and space to creating safe spaces for faculty to grow, learn, reflect, and best support our students and community.