National PTA DEI Resource Guide, June 2023
DEI Chair: Lovenia Hardin, DEI@issaquahptsa.org
In August 2023, the Issaquah PTSA Council added a new role to their council board – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and recruited me to chair this position. I embraced this role with a deep commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts, driven by the belief that every student deserves equal access to resources, opportunities, and support. This fundamental principle is at the heart of bridging achievement gaps and establishing an equitable playing field, regardless of students’ backgrounds.
DEI is not about singling out any specific group but about recognizing and celebrating diversity in all its forms. It’s about promoting a school culture that values and respects all student’s unique experiences and backgrounds. By doing so, schools can provide a more enriching and equitable educational experience for all students, helping them become well-rounded individuals who are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly diverse world.
Diversity
National PTA states: Diversity is the representation of, and respect for, people from different backgrounds and identities—including but not limited to race, culture, religion, socioeconomic status, age, geographic area, sexual orientation, gender identification, language, learning style, and physical appearance. It also involves bringing different ideas, perspectives, lived experiences, talents, values, and worldviews to represent the variety of children, caregivers, educators, and communities within the PTA family.
Equity
National PTA states: Equity provides fairness in resources, opportunities, and outcomes so that all communities get what they need to be engaged and successful. This moves beyond an “equal across the board” approach to:
1. Recognize and address bias and privilege.
2. Understand and attend to specific individual and community needs, providing additional resources to those with greater needs.
Inclusion National PTA states: Inclusion is actions, behaviors, and social norms ensuring everyone feels safe, welcomed, and belong. This means putting diversity into action with skill and intentionality to ensure everyone feels respected, supported, and valued—and can fully participate with equal voice and right to be heard. This includes actively seeking out voices that have been traditionally underrepresented and/or marginalized.
Diversity Profile Templet:
Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
https://www.pta.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/dei-brief-final-072720.pdf