“Tolerance, inter-cultural dialogue, and respect for diversity are more essential than ever in our world.” — Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations
Equity and Cultural Competency – defined as “the attitude, knowledge, and skills to effectively interact with people from different cultures” – have long been integral parts of who we are at St. Francis School. This work has served as the bedrock for those hallmark traits of compassion, open-mindedness, and inclusivity for which our graduates are known. From student-led DEI groups in the High School to the diverse authors and protagonists represented in the Goshen Campus Library, Equity and Cultural Competency have been made living words in meaningful and age-appropriate ways throughout the School. Amid the social reckoning over the past year, this work has taken on a new urgency and importance.
Spring 2020 served as an inflection point for the St. Francis School community to reflect on and iterate the work that was already being done. We sought to respond to the changing social landscape by making modifications to our programming that foregrounded our students’ experience. In the High School, student voice has led to greater intersectionality among various student groups. In Goshen, groups such as the SFS Poverty Action Group and Common Ground have led the way. But, most of all, across divisions and disciplines, St. Francis School faculty have reimagined their curricula, finding novel and original ways to integrate Equity and Cultural Competency into their classes. Math teachers have taught redlining, music teachers have decolonized their canon, and teachers of younger students have developed interdisciplinary units that celebrate cultural diversity. By embedding issues of Equity and Cultural Competency into our day-to-day teaching and learning practices, we’re equipping students with the knowledge and skill set they’ll need to navigate the emerging future.
A recent study by McKinsey & Company identified “fostering inclusiveness and inviting diverse perspectives” to be two of the most essential skills to help individuals thrive in the future of work. This finding is no surprise, considering that companies in the first quartile of fostering an inclusive workplace were 36% more likely to have above-average profitability than companies in the fourth quartile. According to The Davos Agenda, “to build back better, we must make workplaces more inclusive and tolerant places.” The attitude, knowledge, and skills of culturally competent individuals are quickly becoming indispensable, as they are closely associated with active listening, empathy, and effective engagement, all of which are positively correlated to a productive working environment.