IDEA:
Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility
At the foundation of Waldorf education lies the mission of social renewal. As Waldorf educators, we hold the dignity of life and the human being at the center of our work. It is our responsibility to bear witness to what is happening in the world, to elevate the voices of marginalized people, to change the course of inequities, and to break down structural prejudice in all forms where it exists, particularly in Waldorf education.
Here is an excerpt from our accrediting body's (Association of Waldorf Schools of North America) member commitment:
“Waldorf schools and institutes embrace respect for human rights and for the diversity of humankind, and we believe that valuing and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion comprise a journey of both moral and educational importance. "Through our commitment to social justice, we recognize the value of addressing the historical context and the endemic nature of racism and inequality… As cultural institutions rooted in our communities, we strive to strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion through healthy policies and practices.”
Here is an excerpt from our accrediting body's (Association of Waldorf Schools of North America) member commitment:
“Waldorf schools and institutes embrace respect for human rights and for the diversity of humankind, and we believe that valuing and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion comprise a journey of both moral and educational importance. "Through our commitment to social justice, we recognize the value of addressing the historical context and the endemic nature of racism and inequality… As cultural institutions rooted in our communities, we strive to strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion through healthy policies and practices.”
The IDEA Working Group:
Our IDEA working group consists of current faculty, staff, and board members who are working to create and uphold policies and practices of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility at Mulberry Waldorf School. We work in consultation with our greater community, other Waldorf Schools and AWSNA to examine and challenge Waldorf pedagogy, curriculum and school traditions to determine best practices.
Looking ahead, we are hoping to include voices of students, caregivers, and community members to our IDEA group.
Our IDEA working group consists of current faculty, staff, and board members who are working to create and uphold policies and practices of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility at Mulberry Waldorf School. We work in consultation with our greater community, other Waldorf Schools and AWSNA to examine and challenge Waldorf pedagogy, curriculum and school traditions to determine best practices.
Looking ahead, we are hoping to include voices of students, caregivers, and community members to our IDEA group.
One of our foundational principles from AWSNA states,
"Waldorf schools foster social renewal by cultivating human capacities in service to the individual and society.
Waldorf schools foster development so that, throughout life, individuals are motivated to serve humanity with strength of will, depth of feeling, clarity of thought, and the ability to work with others. The educational program is designed to strengthen these fundamental human capacities in our students. Schools are committed to enacting Waldorf education in a place-based manner as a vehicle to foster social renewal for the future. Thus it is essential that schools actively engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion, emphasizing truth and reconciliation and/or racial justice, in school policies and practices."
"Waldorf schools foster social renewal by cultivating human capacities in service to the individual and society.
Waldorf schools foster development so that, throughout life, individuals are motivated to serve humanity with strength of will, depth of feeling, clarity of thought, and the ability to work with others. The educational program is designed to strengthen these fundamental human capacities in our students. Schools are committed to enacting Waldorf education in a place-based manner as a vehicle to foster social renewal for the future. Thus it is essential that schools actively engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion, emphasizing truth and reconciliation and/or racial justice, in school policies and practices."
Please Note:
Place-based (incomplete): Emphasizing the characteristics and meaning of the local region as a fundamental starting point for planning and development of the school’s policies and practices, including educational endeavors, especially in light of DEI (mainstream lens). What factors are in the environment, especially social-cultural components, that impact the child? What is the societal impact on the child that shapes the soul – the interaction of the spirit and body, soul-spiritual; bodily-physical.
Truth and Reconciliation: Discovering and revealing (truth-telling about) past wrongdoing in the hope of (with the intent of) resolving and healing conflicts (injustice, inequity, discrimination, etc.) occurring in the past which continue to take place in the present. For more detail see the mandate of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Place-based (incomplete): Emphasizing the characteristics and meaning of the local region as a fundamental starting point for planning and development of the school’s policies and practices, including educational endeavors, especially in light of DEI (mainstream lens). What factors are in the environment, especially social-cultural components, that impact the child? What is the societal impact on the child that shapes the soul – the interaction of the spirit and body, soul-spiritual; bodily-physical.
Truth and Reconciliation: Discovering and revealing (truth-telling about) past wrongdoing in the hope of (with the intent of) resolving and healing conflicts (injustice, inequity, discrimination, etc.) occurring in the past which continue to take place in the present. For more detail see the mandate of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Nurturing a Safe, Inclusive and Accepting School Environment
September 20, 2023
At Mulberry Waldorf School, it is our intention to build healthy human relationships and create a safe, inclusive, and accepting school environment,
which is essential for student well being. This will be achieved through continuous collaboration and communication between faculty, staff, parents, and students. (Mulberry Waldorf School Healthy Relationships Policy)
We understand that a demonstration is scheduled to take place today in Kingston, and other parts of Ontario and Canada, in opposition to any school curriculum focused on gender identity or gender expression. We have no reason to believe that the demonstration will affect our school,
but it appears that the route passes through downtown.
Mulberry Waldorf School supports all protected grounds of the Ontario Human Rights Code, including gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.
Mulberry follows Waldorf educational philosophy to bring our curriculum in a developmentally appropriate way. We strive to present students with reflections of themselves and windows into the perspectives and experiences of others implicitly through role modeling, building healthy class communities, and nurturing diversity. In Early Childhood, diversity is brought through our classroom aesthetics, oral stories, artistic work, toys, and materials. In Grades 1 through 6, diversity is also intentionally woven into our morning lessons and reading material, including novel studies. Education about sexual orientation and gender identity is part of our Grade 7 and 8 health curriculum. We do not tell students who they should be, but welcome them as they are and strive to give them language and information to express themselves and relate to others in a positive way.
“The healthy social life is found when, in the mirror of each human soul, the whole community finds its reflection
and when, in the community, the virtue of each one is living.”
~ Rudolf Steiner
which is essential for student well being. This will be achieved through continuous collaboration and communication between faculty, staff, parents, and students. (Mulberry Waldorf School Healthy Relationships Policy)
We understand that a demonstration is scheduled to take place today in Kingston, and other parts of Ontario and Canada, in opposition to any school curriculum focused on gender identity or gender expression. We have no reason to believe that the demonstration will affect our school,
but it appears that the route passes through downtown.
Mulberry Waldorf School supports all protected grounds of the Ontario Human Rights Code, including gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.
Mulberry follows Waldorf educational philosophy to bring our curriculum in a developmentally appropriate way. We strive to present students with reflections of themselves and windows into the perspectives and experiences of others implicitly through role modeling, building healthy class communities, and nurturing diversity. In Early Childhood, diversity is brought through our classroom aesthetics, oral stories, artistic work, toys, and materials. In Grades 1 through 6, diversity is also intentionally woven into our morning lessons and reading material, including novel studies. Education about sexual orientation and gender identity is part of our Grade 7 and 8 health curriculum. We do not tell students who they should be, but welcome them as they are and strive to give them language and information to express themselves and relate to others in a positive way.
“The healthy social life is found when, in the mirror of each human soul, the whole community finds its reflection
and when, in the community, the virtue of each one is living.”
~ Rudolf Steiner
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Standing with Indigenous Communities across Canada:
We at Mulberry Waldorf School are profoundly saddened by the ongoing discoveries of the remains of children at the sites of Canadian residential schools. We extend our deepest condolences and sympathy to Indigenous Nations across Canada. It is heartbreaking that these deaths occurred in the first place, and it is heartbreaking that these deaths were never documented by authorities so that families and communities could properly grieve the loss of their children. Residential schools tore families apart and were responsible for the cultural erasure, abuse and deaths of thousands of indigenous children across Canada. We stand in solidarity with those living with the trauma of Canada's residential schools and those experiencing any acts of racism today. We are dedicated to upholding the principles of diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice. |
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Our Statement on Anti-Asian Hate and Racism:
We at Mulberry Waldorf School explicitly condemn all acts of violence and Anti-Asian and Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) hate and racism. We stand in solidarity with those experiencing any acts of racism and we are dedicated to upholding the principles of diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice. At Mulberry, we honour and celebrate our differences while striving to create a safe, welcoming, and nourishing environment for each member of our community. Safety Tips for those Witnessing or Experiencing Hate: https://stopaapihate.org/safety-tips-english/ |
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