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Today’s Focus:

How do WE lead equity and inclusion discussions with students and educators?
How do WE bring harmony among students of color?

Presenter: Princess Francois, NY’19

Math Engineering and Science Academy Charter High School www.mesacharter.org

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MESA Charter HS Student Racial Demographics

*NOTE: Student self-reporting

89% Hispanic/Latinx

15% Mixed

11% Non Hispanic/Latinx

8.63% Black
1.35% Asian
0.81% White

QUICK CONTEXT:

RESULT OF THIS CONTEXT:

Isolation

Exclusion

Microaggressions & explicit acts of racism among students

Staff uncomfortable & not equipped to handle situations

Math Engineering and Science Academy Charter High School www.mesacharter.org

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DIVERSITY

EQUITY

INCLUSION

became a long-term commitment

since 2018

What does that look like

for staff & students?

As a result...

Math Engineering and Science Academy Charter High School www.mesacharter.org

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Professional Development led by an outside consultant 3 PD Days & Summer Institute

COVID-19 and how its impact has been felt differently by various communities/identities

Creation of SMART goals around DEI work & tracking data: Beginning, Middle & End

Created an internal Director of DEI -- now hiring Associates

Equity and Inclusion Convos: Staff

Math Engineering and Science Academy Charter High School www.mesacharter.org

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Monthly Staff Focus Groups -- Required to attend but choice in the topic:

DEI & School Policy
Restorative Discipline Practices
Gender Equity in Classrooms
Academic success with African American/ Latinx Boys
Inclusion and amplification of Black girls at MESA
Staff of Color Retention, Recruitment, and Development
Being an ally to the marginalized

RESULTS:

Design Thinking: Staff of Color Retention, Recruitment, and Development Edition
Melanation: Black Female Group

Equity and Inclusion Convos: Staff

Math Engineering and Science Academy Charter High School www.mesacharter.org

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Coaches Meeting Space:

How to have convos about race & equity in department + coaches spaces

Department Meeting Spaces in response to current events

How are we responding to the moment by bringing concepts of justice into our science classes over the next two weeks? long term?

How are we doing as a science dept with regard to racial justice between us as a group? Success, growth areas, blind spots

Equity and Inclusion Convos: Staff

Math Engineering and Science Academy Charter High School www.mesacharter.org

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Results in the Data

So how does this lead to student impact?

	Our DEI Series Objectives	BOY Survey	MOY Survey
#1	Clarify and accelerate our organizational commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion	71%	85%
#2	Build an inclusive staff culture by deepening trust, unity, openness and vulnerability across lines of difference	60%	66%
#3	Develop shared language and experiences that will enable us to engage in real DEI conversations	65%	77%
#4	Elevate and celebrate the race, ethnicity and cultures of all MESA students	71%	80%
	At MESA, we live out a commitment to DEI	57%	74%

Math Engineering and Science Academy Charter High School www.mesacharter.org

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Started with Data Collection to get Student Voice - STUDENT SURVEY QUESTIONS

I am proud of my race
I think my race is represented in my classes
I feel more connected with staff members who have the same racial/ethnic identity as me
I am satisfied with the racial/ethnic diversity of MESA’s staff
I want to talk more about school culture at MESA as it relates to my race and ethnicity
I have had a negative experience at MESA that I think was related to my skin color
I have had a negative experience at MESA that I think was related to my race/ethnicity

Equity and Inclusion Convos: Students

Math Engineering and Science Academy Charter High School www.mesacharter.org

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Conversations into School Culture Spaces

Virtual Town Hall

Advisory Space -- Embedded into Calendar & Curriculum in Community Circles

Culture and Music: National Anthem
Culture and Music: Protest/ Unity

Assemblies -- Upstander Assembly for 9/10th

Equity and Inclusion Convos: Students

Math Engineering and Science Academy Charter High School www.mesacharter.org

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Conversations embedded into Remote Learning Classroom Spaces

Survey students

Link content area to social justice & race authentically

Give students options responsive to needs

Equity and Inclusion Convos: Students

Math Engineering and Science Academy Charter High School www.mesacharter.org

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Conversations embedded into Remote Learning Classroom Spaces

Survey students

Link content area to social justice & race authentically

Give students options responsive to needs

Equity and Inclusion Convos: Students

Math Engineering and Science Academy Charter High School www.mesacharter.org

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Celebrations & Education of all racial groups

Black History Month: Workshops, Assembly, Fashion Show!

Hispanic Heritage Month: Food Fair, Assembly, Advisory Games

Asian American Pacific Islander Month: Food & Music Fair, Highlight trailblazers through lessons

Native American Heritage Month: Performance & Storytelling

Harmony through Authentic Celebrations

Math Engineering and Science Academy Charter High School www.mesacharter.org

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SURVEY LINKS

Staff Survey Link

Student Survey Link

Math Engineering and Science Academy Charter High School www.mesacharter.org

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Princess Francois

Assistant Principal of Math & Science at MESA

Email: pfrancois@mesacharter.org

pfrancois.leads@gmail.com

Twitter:

@FrancoisLeads

CONTACT INFORMATION

Math Engineering and Science Academy Charter High School www.mesacharter.org

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