Equity & Inclusion Newsletter

Teacher in Residence for Diversity and Cultural Competency: Introduction

Hello! My name is Dr. Erin Birden and I come to this position with a ton of passion for this work. I strive to be an anti-bias and anti-racist educator, and also understand that this requires true, lifelong commitment. I will soon be sharing some of the ways in which I can collaborate with you this year as our district furthers our commitment to equity, inclusivity, diversity, and cultural competency in all we do.

A bit about who I am...

Prior to this role, I served as a Grade 2 classroom teacher at Long Meadow Elementary School and have recently earned a doctorate in Instructional Leadership. There, my research focused on the nature of courage in classrooms.
I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and emphasize that I come to this work with a profound sense of humility, and a vigilant awareness of the limitations of my perspective and my social identities. I'll be working constantly on raising my own critical consciousness and I hope you will join me in ever-widening our worldviews.
I recognize the magnitude of the profession of education, and believe wholeheartedly that we teach humanity first and foremost.


Grounded in Theory of Action 1 We believe that every student deserves a positive learning environment in which their diversity is valued and contributes to their successful academic and social outcomes.	Guided by the Social Justice Standards This framework for anti-bias education is comprised of anchor standards and age-appropriate learning outcomes arranged into 4 domains. It provides a helpful anchor for equitable, just, and safe schools within Region 15. The areas of identity, diversity, justice and action are enduring across the lifespan and are applicable to adult learning as well as PreK-12 learning.	Because this is the Humbling Reality of Being in Education We understand that we need to equip our students, families, and staff with tools to foster positive identity, to experience joy in and true appreciation of others’ complex social identities and diversity, to cultivate cultural competency, and to develop the knowledge, skills, and courage needed to respond impactfully to social injustice.

Grounded in Theory of Action 1

We believe that every student deserves a positive learning environment in which their diversity is valued and contributes to their successful academic and social outcomes.

Guided by the Social Justice Standards

This framework for anti-bias education is comprised of anchor standards and age-appropriate learning outcomes arranged into 4 domains. It provides a helpful anchor for equitable, just, and safe schools within Region 15. The areas of identity, diversity, justice and action are enduring across the lifespan and are applicable to adult learning as well as PreK-12 learning.

Because this is the Humbling Reality of Being in Education

We understand that we need to equip our students, families, and staff with tools to foster positive identity, to experience joy in and true appreciation of others’ complex social identities and diversity, to cultivate cultural competency, and to develop the knowledge, skills, and courage needed to respond impactfully to social injustice.


Read Why White Students Need Multicultural and Social Justice Education article	Watch Danger of a Single Story TED Talk. I see this talk as a must watch! Also, a great lesson plan on using this TED talk in the classroom here	Listen Nice White Parents is a fascinating podcast about building better school systems. There are 5 episodes.