Description

Summary

In this episode of Lassoing Leadership, hosts Garth Nichols and Jason Rogers engage with Nicole Cozier, the Executive Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Havergal College.

The conversation explores the importance of fostering a culture of equity and inclusion within educational institutions.

Nicole shares her vision for creating safe and affirming spaces for students and staff, her personal journey towards advocating for marginalized communities, and the challenges faced in navigating traditional power structures in independent schools.

The discussion also emphasizes the need for long-term commitment to change, practical steps for school leaders, and valuable resources for further learning in the field of EDIB.

Takeaways

• Creating inclusive communities is essential for student and staff success.
• Equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging should be integral to school culture.
• Personal experiences can drive professional advocacy for marginalized groups.
• Belonging involves ownership and contribution, not just participation.
• Navigating tensions in established institutions requires balancing tradition and change.
• Measuring progress in EDIB initiatives is complex and requires long-term commitment.
• Short-term metrics may not reflect the true impact of EDIB work.
• Introspection and humility are crucial for effective leadership in this space.
• Practical steps can be taken by school leaders to foster inclusion.
• Resources and literature can provide further insights into EDIB practices.

Sound Bites

• "This work is generational change."
• "We need to ask who are these systems serving?"
• "We need to lean in and do that with enthusiasm."

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

05:18 - Nicole's Vision for Havergal College

08:36 - The Journey to Equity and Inclusion

12:46 - Tensions in Independent Schools

16:02 - Measuring Success in EDIB Initiatives

19:52 - Practical Steps for School Leaders

24:00 - Resources for Further Learning