As a retired teacher I have used DEI everyday with my students to provide a safe environment with the best opportunities for learning. It is an essential component of providing the best learning environment for all students. The best teachers have always done this. DEI is just a label that has been politicized. Let me break it down for you.

D=Diversity. Every classroom has a diverse population of students. They come from different cultures, backgrounds and experiences. These could be economic, racial, family make up, religious, and experienced trauma. As a teacher, I welcome these experiences to draw from when planning lessons and choosing materials.

E=Equity. Treating others with fairness and justice. I will be aware of my biases and treat all my students with respect. They will get what they need in order to learn. Good teachers differentiate their lessons so each student is given the necessary tools to succeed and that can be different for each student. What is fair for one student may not be fair for another. Examples might be reading about the same subject but at different reading levels.

I=Inclusion. Everyone can participate and is included. This is where the focus may change from year to year based on the makeup of my class. Project choices can change based on the backgrounds and interests of my students. Discussions are treated with respect of one another’s opinions. Another example is during independent reading a student who is unable to read can be read to by another student. Students are provided tools that allow them to participate.

Does this sound like a horrible thing that shouldn’t be happening in a classroom? If DEI isn’t happening in your child’s classroom you should be very concerned. Our public school classrooms reflect our society and it is diverse. We aren’t attempting to brainwash our students, we are trying to meet them where they are based on their backgrounds and experiences.

If you want a less diverse experience then send your children to a private school. They can pick and choose who to accept. They can control the type of student enrolled and make the student body more aligned to the messages they want to teach.

There is also no accountability like required at Public Schools. This is why public money should NOT be used for private school tuition. Many Private schools are not Diverse, Equitable or Inclusive. DEI has become evil concept which it is NOT!! It is not just about race. It is about every student getting what they need in a space that is welcoming and accepting.

Why would you not want that for your children?

If you don’t want DEI for your children then a private school is your choice, but it shouldn’t be paid for with tax dollars because it doesn’t follow the same rules and regulations required of Public Education. The attack on DEI is just an  attempt to discredit Public Education and open the door to legal segregation…again.