Diversity is one of the key strengths the US excels at. At our school, the student body varies widely, with many students having unique skills, interests and stories. But diversity cannot thrive when it is stifled by a lack of equity and inclusion. This is why DEI Coordinator Dr. Callie Hyder is leading an initiative to foster student diversity. The Change Leader Coalition (CLC) is coming to our school this spring, attempting to make an impact by the coming fall. Open to all students freshmen through juniors interested in leadership and inclusion, this group aims to create an environment where all feel welcome.
The CLC is a student-led leadership organization focused on making our school a more comfortable place for all. Although Hyder is leading the launch of this group, she hopes to let the student leaders take charge.
“The goal would be that this is predominantly student-run and just I’m facilitating things that they want to do to bring change to the school,” Hyder said.
This allows the group to approach the idea of diversity with a unique and inside perspective, guiding actions that will be more aligned with the rest of the student body. They hope to achieve this through recognizing patterns of exclusion throughout our school and acting to introduce inclusion to them. Not only will this benefit our school’s community, but it will also provide ample opportunities for students to develop leadership skills that can be applied in college, professional life and beyond.
As the DEI Coordinator for our school, Hyder has the qualifications to lead the launch of this group. Hyder has previously been involved in our school’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team, which consists of students, parents and teachers. The CLC is branching out from this group to be a more student-focused wing of the initiative. This group has the same goals of the DEI team, but is looking to approach them from a student perspective. As the main point of contact for this group, Hyder encourages students to reach out through email or to stop by Room 223 with any questions.
Launching this spring, the CLC is focused on building up membership and collecting data for its first few months. Interested students can submit nominations to the Google Form on Canvas until March 28. Nominations can also be submitted by a peer or a teacher who believes a student might be a good fit for the CLC. The form consists of a few short questions asking why belonging is important at our school and what students can contribute to the group. Once nominated, students will receive an invitation to the CLC following spring break. From there, data collection and goal-setting will take charge.
In the fall, Hyder hopes to hit the ground running to welcome new students. Ideally, the CLC could send representatives to freshman advisories, introducing themselves to new students and helping them to find connections within our school’s community. The CLC representatives could serve as mentors for these students navigating the challenging transition to high school. Even having just one point of contact and support from a peer can help students feel more connected to our school as whole, encouraging them to make further connections.
“By starting to build a smaller community, you hope that if one person feels like they are connected to one person, they might extend that connected tissue to others,” Hyder said.
In addition to freshman students, Hyder also hopes to welcome transfer students and students who are joining in the middle of the year who also deserve the same support. Another idea to facilitate community and connections is through lunch activities where CLC members can introduce themselves to their peers, creating an environment where meeting new people is encouraged.
Although the CLC is looking for strong leaders to take on roles such as being mentors to new students, Hyder acknowledges that leadership comes in many different forms. Quiet leadership and leading by example can be just as effective and important as being a loud leader. The CLC encourages all types of leadership, allowing for a more representative group.
“It is not a one size fits all … Because in the end, we don’t just need loud voices. The goal is to get as many voices as possible in such a diverse group of students,” Hyder said.
As the CLC launches this spring, it’s important to remember the mission they are on and what we can do to support it.
“I want students to know that we see them and we are working to build a stronger Yorktown community. Every voice matters, and whatever you have to say, we want to hear it. This coalition is really a way for students to make that impact. Myself and the people on the equity team really want to make sure that this is your Yorktown,” Hyder said.
Diversity, equity and inclusion are the building blocks of a successful community, allowing each and every student to thrive. Creating a welcoming environment allows students to have a more positive high school experience, and teaching students the importance of inclusivity builds the next generation of leaders.
