Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity and inclusivity, in all aspects of identity, broaden and enhance the educational experience. Varied perspectives are a source of strength, creativity, enrichment and renewal in the Tower Hill community. These values are found in both our mission statement and in our institutional goals:
Mission
Tower Hill School prepares students from diverse backgrounds for full and creative engagement with a dynamic world. Each student is provided with an educational experience that emphasizes the development of an inquisitive, discerning and critical mind; the value of being creative and aesthetically sensitive; the appreciation of physical well-being; the ability to collaborate and to function as part of a team; and the growth of character.
Mission
Tower Hill School prepares students from diverse backgrounds for full and creative engagement with a dynamic world. Each student is provided with an educational experience that emphasizes the development of an inquisitive, discerning and critical mind; the value of being creative and aesthetically sensitive; the appreciation of physical well-being; the ability to collaborate and to function as part of a team; and the growth of character.
Institutional Goal on Inclusivity and Student-Centered School Culture
We will continue to focus on inclusivity, both celebrating and challenging ourselves to ensure a student-centered school culture, an exhilarating academic and extracurricular experience, and a community that knows, welcomes and respects all of our students, faculty, staff and families.
Tower Hill School embraces a broad definition of diversity that acknowledges the many ways each of us is unique, including, but not limited to, our various talents, perspectives, goals, ethnicities, identities, and religions. With this broad definition in mind, we hope to create an educational environment in which each person is genuinely valued, respected and included. We believe that diversity and inclusivity enrich the educational experience and strengthen our overall community.
Social Justice Program
Equity and Inclusion Coordinators and Committees
Tower Hill has Equity and Inclusion Coordinators in each division. These coordinators have worked with the Director of Social Justice to launch the following committees:
- Religious and Cultural Committee
- Community Conversations Committee
- Social Justice and the Environment Committee
- DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Faculty Committee
The above committees meet regularly to discuss and implement community-building ideas and educational initiatives on equity and inclusion at Tower Hill.
Tower Hill School’s Social Justice Program also includes guest speakers, professional development workshops, conversations and other initiatives that invite students to engage in courageous conversations about build and engage a more inclusive and student-centered community:
Faculty Development
Our faculty attend Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training throughout the year, including:
- Faculty SEED: Each year a group of faculty volunteer to form a cohort as they continue their professional development on diversity and inclusivity through the SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) Program at Tower Hill School. More information.
- MCRC@ADVIS: Tower Hill’s new faculty attend the bi-annual MultiCultural Resource Center at Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools’ multi-state diversity, equity and inclusion conference. This conference is widely known and attended by independent schools in the multi-state area. In 2019, Tower Hill hosted the MCRC event where over 60 workshop presentations were available for over 800 faculty/administrators and heads of schools in attendance.
- ARC of Justice at Tower Hill School: Tower Hill’s Anti-Racist Conference of Justice is a bi-annual virtual conference held at Tower Hill School. The event is focused on educating on the systems of racism and sharing strategies to move our schools to becoming antiracist communities that are fully inclusive and welcoming of all students and families. Click here to see the ARC of Justice speakers.
Social Justice Task Force
During the 2020-2021 school year, three Social Justice Task Force subcommittees met throughout the year and developed specific recommendations to build a more inclusive, equitable school community. The subcommittees accomplished their goal of compiling a list of action items; however, the real work was in the thoughtful, honest and sometimes difficult conversations, which were possible due to the commitment, authenticity and vulnerability of the participants. More than 80 people—including students, alumni, parents, trustees, faculty and administrators—worked collaboratively for 14 meetings, with numerous emails, many hours studying resource materials and dozens of working notes. Tower Hill extends sincere gratitude to all who participated.
Social Justice Program and Home and School
The Director of Social Justice also collaborates with Home and School parent groups: PAATH (Parents of African American students at Tower Hill) and DISTINCT (Diversity and Inclusion at Tower Hill).
Together, Tower Hill, PAATH and DISTINCT host several educational events and socials throughout the year, for our entire family community.
Parent SEED Program
We host a parent SEED cohort, which is similar to the faculty SEED cohort. Members of this cohort include parents and parent leaders from Lower, Middle and Upper School.
Speakers and Trainers
Melissa Anderson, AMAZE
Elenora Bartoli, Ph.D.
Psychologist
Jennifer Bryan, Ph.D.
Founder of Team Finch Consultants
Jenna Chandler Ward
Co-Founder of Teaching While White
City Love
Sandra Chapman, Ph.D.
Founder of Chap Equity
Jen Cort
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Educator
Ashley Deadwyler-Jones
Elizabeth Denevi, Ph.D.
Associate Director of the Mid West Educational Collaborative
Karla Fleshman
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, Transitions Delaware
Elenora Bartoli, Ph.D.
Psychologist
Jennifer Bryan, Ph.D.
Founder of Team Finch Consultants
Jenna Chandler Ward
Co-Founder of Teaching While White
City Love
Sandra Chapman, Ph.D.
Founder of Chap Equity
Jen Cort
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Educator
Ashley Deadwyler-Jones
Elizabeth Denevi, Ph.D.
Associate Director of the Mid West Educational Collaborative
Karla Fleshman
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, Transitions Delaware
Adam Foley, Ph.D.
University of Delaware, Gender Studies
Nyle Fort
Ph.D. student in religion and African-American studies at Princeton University
Dr. Mykee Fowlin
Psychologist, performer and poet
University of Delaware, Gender Studies
Nyle Fort
Ph.D. student in religion and African-American studies at Princeton University
Dr. Mykee Fowlin
Psychologist, performer and poet
Alden Habacon
University of British Columbia Diversity and Inclusion Strategist
Sheri Schmidt, Ph.D.University of British Columbia Diversity and Inclusion Strategist
Carol Henderson, Ph.D.
Vice Provost University of Delaware Office of Equity and Inclusion
Dr. Jenny Korn
Vice Provost University of Delaware Office of Equity and Inclusion
Dr. Jenny Korn
Rosetta Lee
Seattle Girls’ School Diversity Speaker and Trainer
Christopher Lemole
THS parent and film producer
Sarah McBride
Delaware State Senator
Lucy Meyer
Spokesperson, Special Olympics
Gregory Morris
University of Delaware, Black American Studies
Alex Myers
English teacher at Exeter
Dennis Parker
Pushed Learning and Media
Seattle Girls’ School Diversity Speaker and Trainer
Christopher Lemole
THS parent and film producer
Sarah McBride
Delaware State Senator
Lucy Meyer
Spokesperson, Special Olympics
Gregory Morris
University of Delaware, Black American Studies
Alex Myers
English teacher at Exeter
Dennis Parker
Pushed Learning and Media
Social Justice Educator
Bryan Stevenson, J.D.
Director of the Equal Justice Initiative
Professor at New York University
Howard Stevenson, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education
Kory Trott '07
Howard Stevenson, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education
Kory Trott '07
Social Justice Team
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL JUSTICE
Natasha Murray-Everett
Strategic vision, program coordination
ASSISTANT DEAN of RECRUITING and SOCIAL JUSTICE
Justin Hicks '09
Middle School Science and Assistant Dean of Hiring and Recruitment
EQUITY AND INCLUSION COORDINATORS
Jean Snyder
Pre-K Teacher
Janel Hall
Kindergarten Teacher
Ann Sullivan
First Grade Teacher
AMAZE Anti-bias literature
Anna Elliott
Fourth Grade Teacher
Morning meetings and announcements
Carmen Martinez
Middle School Spanish
Lunch and Learns
Community Conversations
Anna Miller, Ph.D.
Upper School French
Community Conversations and Religious and Cultural Committee
Natasha Murray-Everett
Strategic vision, program coordination
ASSISTANT DEAN of RECRUITING and SOCIAL JUSTICE
Justin Hicks '09
Middle School Science and Assistant Dean of Hiring and Recruitment
EQUITY AND INCLUSION COORDINATORS
Jean Snyder
Pre-K Teacher
Janel Hall
Kindergarten Teacher
Ann Sullivan
First Grade Teacher
AMAZE Anti-bias literature
Anna Elliott
Fourth Grade Teacher
Morning meetings and announcements
Carmen Martinez
Middle School Spanish
Lunch and Learns
Community Conversations
Anna Miller, Ph.D.
Upper School French
Community Conversations and Religious and Cultural Committee
PAATH and DISTINCT
PAATH (Parents of African-Americans at Tower Hill)
PAATH sponsors activities and programs that celebrate the African-American experience as a valued and integral component of a Tower Hill education. We also foster an appreciation for diversity, promote cultural competence and help create a supportive environment for African-American families.
PAATH sponsors activities and programs that celebrate the African-American experience as a valued and integral component of a Tower Hill education. We also foster an appreciation for diversity, promote cultural competence and help create a supportive environment for African-American families.
DISTINCT (Diversity and Inclusion at Tower Hill)
DISTINCT organizes social and community-building activities to promote the fellowship of parents who advocate for the benefits of diversity in education at Tower Hill School. We also collaborate with Director of Social Justice Dyann Connor to support schoolwide events and programming.
To join PAATH and/or DISTINCT, please contact Director of Social Justice Natasha Murray-Everett at nmurrayeverett@towerhill.org.
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