The challenges of inclusion and diversity within schools are always evolving with our understanding and learning in these areas. Much progress has been made over the last 20 years or so, but we all know there is still a long way to better practices and experiences for learners and staff members. Here on the show today to talk about her work in confronting some of the hurdles and kickstarting positive change is the amazing Rovanna Bawden! Rovanna is the Head of Enriched Inclusion at the Western Academy of Beijing and she explains the catchy 'JEDI' acronym that she uses to address the need for justice in these areas. Our guest shares some of her personal history before diving into a few simple yet effective ways that individuals and institutions can approach diversity and inclusion. For Rovanna, it starts with the staff members; they have to lead the charge and begin the self-examination that is so necessary right now. We talk about the importance of classroom atmosphere, practices, and arrangements, and also consider the work towards diversity and inclusion as a longer-term building project. For all this, make sure to join us for a great episode of the BabblED Podcast! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Rovanna's background and her career path leading up to her current position at WAB. 
• The changes in our understanding of the idea of inclusion in the last few decades.
• The difference between naming an issue and actually addressing it through action. 
• Introducing the JEDI acronym: justice, equity, diversity, inclusion.
• The bravery that is needed within schools to unpack and confront biases.   
• Starting with trust and building outwards to better diversity and inclusion.  
• The development of the feeling of inclusion over time; creating long term safe spaces. 
• Important data collection in these areas for more informed progress; challenges to quantification. 
• The impact of learning environments, classroom spaces and non-preferential seating. 
• Considering the current impact of COVID-19 and remote learning on diversity concerns.
• Rovanna's advice for the best starting point for schools; the educators' self-examination. 

Tweetables:

“Enriched Inclusion basically means supporting students that require individual programming and giving them the best educational opportunities ever.” — Rovanna Bawden [0:03:03]

“How do we deepen that conversation as educators in the classroom? How do we make that come alive? This is a dilemma facing every school now.” — Rovanna Bawden [0:04:56]

“We need to look at ourselves first as a staff in a school, as a teacher, as an educator. You have to look at your own biases. We all have bias. We all have self-bias.” — Rovanna Bawden [0:07:12]

“Everyone has a story, and I think you've got minorities in the classroom that maybe we need to give more floor time to. How do we hear those stories and how do others respond?” — Rovanna Bawden [0:11:44]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Rovanna Bawden on LinkedIn

Western Academy of Beijing

The United Nations Convention of Children’s Rights

Vernā Myers

Jonathan Mueller on Twitter

Scott Lindner on Twitter

Connected Learner Partnerships