Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At the heart of Montessori philosophy is the belief that every child is an individual with specific needs, identities, talents and backgrounds. It is with this philosophy in mind that the school community embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, with the child at the center of it all. We seek to break down barriers that cause injustice and to equip staff, faculty and students with tools to understand and dismantle injustice.
As a community, NNM seeks to develop cultural humility through embracing and honoring identity, creating a deepened understanding of all members of our School community and to cultivate a School-wide atmosphere of windows and mirrors.
DEI in Curriculum
On a continuum from 0-6 to 12-14, our goal is to embed anti-biased and anti-racist pedagogy, recognizing students need knowledge and tools related to mitigating bias as well as to civic engagement, all of which allows them to access their power in transforming the world around them.
Culture of Belonging
At NNM, we encourage students to honor and build authentic relationships with peers from diverse identities and backgrounds. We use the language of windows and mirrors. Windows are moments that allow us to understand and acknowledge the realities of other’s experiences. Mirrors are moments in which we see our own lives, experiences, identities and culture reflected back to us.
NNM supports parents in this necessary work through family groups, student affinity groups, guest speakers, parent education opportunities, film screenings, shared resources, and other opportunities.
Diversity, in its most simple form, means difference. At NNM, diversity includes race, ethnicity, religion, family composition, family traditions, sexual identity, gender expression, ability, and socioeconomic status. NNM acknowledges and celebrates our differences through events like the Festival of Lights and parent programming via our family groups, where we demonstrate a willingness to learn from, and about ourselves and one another.