Journey Ahead
Winter 2014: Volume 3, Issue 2
Conquering our blind spots
Last year, I had the chance to buy a new car. When I was younger that seemed an exciting prospect—now it is more of a chore. Many of the cars I look at had a BLIS system—in case you don’t know, that is a Blind Spot Information System. Just like the title says, if there is a car in the blind spot—one you can’t see, or that you are not looking carefully to see—the light comes on to alert you top a potential collision. Sometimes the thing you don’t see is much larger—like a truck—and then you are especially glad for the flashing light!
How I wish we had those as people. Because it is those “bias blind spots” that sometimes hold us back, personally, and organizationally. Many of our leaders discovered that in our initial Journey Ahead training and signed the Diversity and Inclusion Charter to indicate their commitment to deal with bias.
But that work takes more than one signature—there are still metaphorical “things” in our bias blind spots—some as little as a compact car—some as big as a truck—and all get in the way of creating truly a Peel District School Board that is equitable and inclusive.
So how are we doing on that journey—on our bas BLIS system? XXXXX Look at the deep organizational commitment we have to equitable hiring and promotional practices across the Peel board. Look at how far we have come.
It is not just an achievement-it is inspiring. And I want to thank all those involved for their work, and to thank each and every one of you for your commitment, involvement and support. I know with each step you take forward, our system also moves forward to greater inclusion. Despite our personal and organizational blind spots.
In October, in an amazing moment, young Malala Yousafzai was awarded the Nobel Prize—the youngest person in history to receive the award. As I think about bias blind spots I find great comfort in her words. She said “I speak not for myself but for those without voice... those who have fought for their rights... their right to live in peace, their right to be treated with dignity, their right to equality of opportunity, their right to be educated.”
I hope—I believe—that organizationally we have become far better at understanding those without voice—and at speaking –and acting –for them. And with your help—with your involvement—we will become even better.
Scott Moreash
Associate Director, Instructional Support Services
Peel board named as a Greater Toronto's Top Employer's for 2015
Peel board prepares to get ready for the count
With more than 22,000 employees working in schools and sites across Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga, the Peel District School Board is the largest employer in Peel Region. To paint a picture of who we are as a workforce, we will conduct a system-wide employee census in the fall of 2015. The census was announced in our June edition of Roadmap.
Once we obtain this picture of our workforce, we will use it to best serve the needs of Peel staff by identifying the depth, talent, skills and experiences that can collectively enhance our workforce and ultimately, support student success.
The initiative—which directly supports the Journey Ahead Research Report: Finding 28, as well as several commitments in the Report Card for Student Success—is led by the Workforce Census Steering Committee, comprised of Peel board trustees and senior administration, as well as representatives from Peel employee groups, unions, federations and associations.
Throughout the 2014-15 school year, the steering committee will meet monthly to collaboratively develop the voluntary, anonymous and confidential census. To date, the steering committee has worked to set clear objectives for the census and approved the Count Me In Peel! logo.
The next task is to determine the breadth and scope of appropriate self-identification questions to be included in the census. Representatives will reach out to employee groups in early 2015 to fully communicate the Peel board's census objectives and to address any questions about the census to encourage wide participation when then census launches in fall 2015.
Stay tuned – and be sure to include yourself in the Peel board picture.
Coordinating equity and inclusion
In October, Associate Director of Instructional Support Services, Scott Moreash initiated the Inclusion Council, an informal forum with the purpose of providing those mandated to address issues of equity and inclusion with the opportunity to brainstorm ideas, share effective practices, and ensure that the many arms of the board’s efforts in equity and inclusion are working in tandem in support of the Journey Ahead and the board's Report Card for Student Success.
“When, as a board, we talk about inspiring success, confidence and hope in each student, we’re talking about the important work of creating equitable and inclusive climates for learning and working. A natural next step in the evolution of this work is to ensure that our efforts across the system are aligned and coordinated,” notes Moreash. “Our work on the Journey Ahead has touched every corner of the board and we are at a stage where the philosophy behind the shift in hiring practices must now permeate to other work that we are doing. The Inclusion Council will play a vital role in bridging this work, through sharing information and brainstorming initiatives for equity and inclusion.”
The council includes representation from the following portfolios:
- equity and inclusive education
- English as a Second Language/English Literacy Development programs
- human rights
- accessibility
- climate for learning and working
- First Nations Métis and Inuit equity
- workplace equity
- communications and community relations
Over the course of the year, the council will meet to ensure that system-wide equity and inclusion initiatives, messaging and practices are consistent and responsive to the evolving context of equity and inclusion in our work. Stay tuned for an update from the Inclusion Council in early 2015.
Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice (TDSJ)
The Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice (TDSJ) professional development program offers a trio of learning opportunities for Peel board employees. Through Curriculum Instruction and Special Education Support Services (CISESS) and under the umbrella of equity and inclusive education, programs include:
TDSJ One — Speakers Series
Open to all employees, the TDSJ One — Speakers Series offers Peel staff the opportunity to hear and learn from individuals whose narratives reflect the reality of diversity of social justice in Peel and beyond. Speakers include:
Chris D’Souza, renowned author and equity expert focusing on connections between identities, power and education – Dec. 9
Peter Ittinuar, community leader, Ontario provincial negotiator, and the first Inuit MP, will unpack Inuit way of life and colonization as a way of forming ideas for curriculum development and teaching – Jan. 29
Watch MyLearningPlan for more information and to sign up for TDSJ professional development opportunities. Information will also be shared about these upcoming opportunities on your MySite/Broadcast page.
Aspiring Racialized Leaders Mentoring Pilot Program: Year two
Individuals participating in the Peel board’s Aspiring Racialized Leaders Mentoring Pilot Program gathered on Oct. 16 to kick off the second school year of the initiative and participate in leadership development activities with their mentee or mentor.
The seminar – Deep Diversity: Exploring Bias, Tribes and Identity— was facilitated by Anima Leadership and is the first in a series of workshops that mentoring pairs will take part in over the school year. The pilot also provides ongoing support and tools to enhance participants' personal and collective leadership skills.
Launched in April 2013, the Aspiring Racialized Leaders Pilot Program connects 25 self-identified racialized educators, aspiring to enter the vice-principal promotion process in the next two to five years, with an experienced vice-principal or principal mentor.
For more information about Aspiring Racialized Leaders Mentoring Pilot Program, visit the Journey Ahead chiclet on your MySite page. The pilot continues until June 2015.
Peel board partners with the Canadian Institute for Diversity and Inclusion
The Peel District School Board is the newest of 50 organizations to partner with the Canadian Institute of Diversity and Inclusion (CIDI), a national non-profit organization that provides innovative and proven strategies, research, tools, and educational support for leaders, and all employees in organizations across Canada, with the goal to help improve the overall inclusivity of the Canadian workforce.
Learn more about the CIDI here: http://www.cidi-icdi.ca
Follow us on Twitter @PeelEquity
The Peel board is committed to engaging employees in its work on the Journey Ahead and workplace equity. Follow @PeelEquity to learn about new programs, participate in important dialogue and access the important updates.