One year ago, I started a blog post on vulnerability. Here is what I had typed then, as I began a brand new role as the Assistant Superintendent for DEI: "This fall, I begin my 24th year as an educator (What?? When did that happen??). And, I can honestly tell you that no other school… Continue reading Vulnerability
Author: Dawn G. Bentley, Ed.D.
Structure as Usual, Not Business as Usual
Last week marked the fourth of working remotely in a profession we signed up for because of the face-to-face nature of working with humans who are smaller than us. I will venture a guess that none of us have ever had a course in how to provide quality, online learning experiences to children between the… Continue reading Structure as Usual, Not Business as Usual
Shifting Language: from Physical Distancing to Social Distancing
These are uncertain and unpredictable times. We are bombarded with messages that order us to practice social distancing in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus. However, in a time when language is so important to maintaining our sanity and a positive outlook, many are urging us to top using the term 'social distancing'… Continue reading Shifting Language: from Physical Distancing to Social Distancing
Bias and the Coronavirus
Coronavirus Under the Microscope This image has become one of the most widely-distributed pictures in the media over the last month as the coronavirus has continued to spread across the world. In the last few weeks, as I have spoken with some of my colleagues in central Michigan who also work in schools, they are… Continue reading Bias and the Coronavirus
Turning to One Another
"As we work together to restore hope to the future, we need to include a new and strange ally—our willingness to be disturbed." ~M. Wheatley
Holiday “Traditions”
"What 'little' things do [we] do or say that become big factors in continuing to marginalize students in poverty?"
A World of Difference…
Yesterday I was unbelievably grateful to be able to spend much of the day with 29 of our tenth and eleventh graders as they embarked on their first day of training with two Anti-Defamation League facilitators to become A World of Difference® Peer Leaders. It was a day filled with what I call 'goosebumpy' moments… Continue reading A World of Difference…
How Are Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Different?
In July when I began this new position, I Googled "Diversity vs. Equity vs. Inclusion," just to see what was out there. The top hit was a link to this article, which does a fairly decent job of explaining the differences between these three concepts. Over the last few months, I have spent time reading… Continue reading How Are Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Different?
When We Know Better, We Do Better
As we welcomed 45 (!!!) incredible new educators to ABRSD last week, I spent time reflecting back on what I affectionately call my "prior life" as an eighth grade teacher, when I was blessed to serve as the special educator who co-taught with a team of four content area teachers. Each year, the five of… Continue reading When We Know Better, We Do Better
Do it Afraid…
In June 2019, Superintendent Light announced a strategic move to continue ABRSD's efforts to increase our focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), where I would shift my current role as Assistant Superintendent for Student Services to Assistant Superintendent for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The goal for this new position is to provide continued leadership… Continue reading Do it Afraid…