Editor’s Note: Kristen Kenney is an equity liaison and co-sponsor of the New Trier News and was interviewed in this article. She was not involved in the writing or editing of this article.
The New Trier High School administration provided updates on the district’s ongoing equity initiatives at the Oct. 21 school board meeting. School officials shared their annual report on equity, cultural climate, and civil discourse, providing a comprehensive look at the district’s goals to foster inclusivity and improve educational and workplace experiences for students and staff.
Various board and staff members discussed updates regarding the school, including a report on initiatives tied to equity and cultural belonging. Kristen Kenney, one of the equity liaisons, spoke on the progress and new developments in New Trier’s equity work, which has been evolving for over two decades.
“We were explaining the new structure of the equity work at New Trier. There’s a long history of great work that has been done here, and the changes are just about getting more people involved in the work,” Kenney said, citing the introduction of advisery resources that help facilitate conversations on inclusivity and partnerships with Student Council to enhance equity work.
The hope is to offer all members of the school community tools to celebrate diversity and understand the challenges that peers from different backgrounds may face.
Administrators wish to foster this understanding within classrooms by creating an environment where students feel safe to talk about issues and know that their opinions will be listened to with respect from their peers.
“The Social Studies Department was presenting so that teachers know how to structure and guide different discussions and conversations, so that even though people may disagree, it can still be done respectfully,” Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Chimille Tillery said.
Tillery said civil discourse is “foundational to equity work.”
The presentation also discussed the launch of new teacher affinity groups, designed to provide safe spaces for educators from diverse backgrounds. These groups include a Jewish Affinity Group, an LGBTQ+ Affinity Group, and an affinity group for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
“[The BIPOC Affinity Group] is a space where educators who have a common identity can come together to find support and community, especially at a school as large as ours,” librarian Maricor Chang, BIPOC Affinity Group co-leader, said.
The affinity groups are intended to support teachers’ mental health and help them to feel their best at work.
In addition to supporting staff, the district is implementing a student voice initiative within the equity framework. A new Council on Climate, Equity, and Belonging (CCEB) will bring representatives from various student affinity groups, athletic teams, and other organizations to include more student voices and see what matters to the student body.
“We want to get student voices not just from Student Council, because the Student Council has had equity work for a long time now, but thinking about, ‘Where are the other students who might be interested?’” Kenney said. “How do we get student voices into the work that we’re doing?”
New Trier’s commitment to equity through structured dialogue, community-building, and support systems for diverse student and staff populations highlights a continued effort to foster an inclusive environment.
“Having communities where [people] can come together and find additional support is another way to really make sure that New Trier is a welcoming space for all, and that everyone, students, teachers, and staff, can find belonging here,” Chang said.