Community

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Diversity, equity and inclusion are integral to Country School's mission, history and forward-thinking practices. We believe learning is at its best when students are exposed to stories and events that are both similar to and different from their own.
Conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion introduce healthy discourse and increase our communication skills. When coupled with action, a focus on DEI ultimately leads to a productive and enlightened school environment.
At Country School, we practice mindful learning and sharing as a means to connect and grow as an institution. We value the diverse experiences our families bring to our school community and work to provide a space in which all voices can be heard. We practice an ethic of listening for greater understanding. Our professional growth and development programs for the adult community supports an expectation that we will seek both national conferences and workshops, as well as leverage the resources that we are fortunate to employ from our talented faculty and staff.
 
Our professional community believes that there is always something to learn. Our ongoing engagement with outside professional development facilitates a network of informed people and perspectives with a global lens. In addition, our internal teams offer a broad range of expertise including our Diversity Equity & Inclusion Facilitators; Student Advisors; Service Learning committees; Learning Resources team. We access the special interests and talents of our family community, most directly through a partnership with our Parent DEI Task Force. 
Country School offers a number of vehicles to support a culture of inclusion. Some of the initiatives we have in place include:
  • Annual participation in the CAIS, Student Diversity Leadership Conference (Grades 7-9)
  • Annually selected delegation to the NAIS People of Color Conference for faculty & staff and the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (Grade 9)
  • Parents' Association Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Task Force focused on understanding and responding to the needs of our family community, while supporting education around topics of inclusion for our families. 
  • Upper School: Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) clubs
  • Renowned speaker opportunities
  • Ongoing faculty & staff training 
  • Formal and informal teachable moment platforms for adults and students
  • Partnership  programs with Horizons
  • Integration of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion with broader Wellness initiatives  
  • Application of Restorative Practice principles in building a positive climate
  • Donor support in ensuring representation of diverse groups
  • Student-led classroom Buddies program 
We welcome ideas and thoughts as we work to build a vibrant, equitable, inclusive and diverse school culture.
Our vision is to exist within a diverse environment in which every child and adult is seen authentically, their voices are heard, their contributions are valued and their growth enabled, resulting in everyone being empowered to do their best work and bring their full selves to the NCCS community every day.

List of 1 members.

  • Photo of Kojo Clarke

    Kojo Clarke 

    Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    Bio

DEI Newsletters

Diversity Facilitators

In order to make diversity, equity and inclusion part of the school’s overall fabric, a DEI Facilitators group has been formed with trained members of our Faculty & Staff supporting various areas of focus to advance Diversity initiatives. 

This group includes: Kindergarten Teacher Jessica McKinney (Caregiver/ Parent Engagement), Sixth Grade Teacher Nika Skvir-Maliakal (Student Engagement), Second Grade Teacher Abigail Newport (Curriculum Development), Fifth Grade Teacher Andrew Bevan (Curriculum Development), Director of Institutional Research Kathy Steinman (Professional Development) and Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Kojo Clarke.
 

Parents' Association Contact

Cara Brendler Wagner
Parent DEI Task Force Chair
 
 
 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion News

  • Alumna Kyla Johns '12 and Director of DEI Kojo Clarke

    Country School Community Honors Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

    New Canaan Country School celebrated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with age-appropriate curricular activities and alumni reflections culminating in divisional community gatherings, Jan. 13.
    Read More
  • Sixth Grade Student Juliet Chattaway

    Senator Murphy Honors New Canaan Country School Student for MLK Essay

    New Canaan Country School sixth grade student Juliet Chattaway’s essay was among the 15 winning essays selected by U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy in his seventh annual "Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Essay Challenge."
    Read More

  • Parent DEI Task Force Embodies Campus Values of Community, Courage, Curiosity and Kindess

    by Lisa Pannone-Bria, P'24, P'28

    Early in the fall, at a Parent DEI Task Force Zoom meeting, we discussed the recent LGBTQ+ campus event we hosted. I eagerly listened to my fellow members and then shared my own positive thoughts, particularly about Cadence, our facilitator. Kojo Clarke, our DEI Director, spoke next. His words, directed to me, were a gentle reminder that Cadence uses the pronoun “they.” Anyone who knows Kojo knows he could not have been nicer in the reminder. Nonetheless, for a brief moment, I was mortified. But then, just as quickly, I reeled myself back in by remembering the Task Force is a judgment free space where we always assume each other’s best intentions. 
    Read More

  • A Message from Kojo Clarke, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

    The Festival of Books just ended, and I had the enormous benefit of having a front row seat to the Festival because of the DEI Office’s location in Grace House. So I want to introduce this edition of the Newsletter with a few observations I made about teamwork and education:

    - Our parent/guardian volunteers truly pour their hearts into the contributions they make at NCCS. From the intricate patterns they created with folded book pages (from abandoned books which had been rescued and creatively repurposed) to the well-laid out paths between the thoughtfully laid out book stacks, to even how the constant vigilance from Volunteers ensured that the Festival felt as fresh and well-stocked on Day 3 as it did on Day 1. It was also a reminder of the “invisible” work that happens behind the scenes to make a good community event run smoothly. Facilities members, teachers, staff.  chefs and so many other folks work daily to make things run smoothly at school, and to watch our parents and guardians pour out their energy this way after the last two years of COVID restrictions was another reminder of the generosity and collaborative power within our Community.
    Read More

  • Hope and My Personal Role in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

    by Ashley Ladd, Alumna '06

    Over the past few months I’ve been thinking a lot about hope and the personal role it plays in my work in  Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. I recently had the opportunity to deliver the invocation at my alma mater, St. Lawrence University, where I currently sit on the Board of Trustees. I thought about how I could meet this moment with something relevant, thought-provoking and inspirational and as I continued to reflect on the past few years, hope seemed like the perfect reminder and message to deliver. 
    Read More

  • Threading DEI into My Role as a School Psychologist

    by Jackie Britt-Friedman, PsyD, School Psychologist, P'25, P'29 

    There is much to gain by coming to the table with an openness to learn, an intent to listen to others’ perspectives without judgment, and compassion. As a psychologist, this is what I strive to do in my own work and also instill in students. Attempting to fully understand another individual’s experience is a complex task. There are so many variables that play a role in how we think, feel, and act. We are all susceptible to falling into the false confidence trap that we have all the information we need, and therefore to stop seeking insights. As soon as one feels like they have got the whole picture, life reminds them that they have a ways to go. As humans we naturally use our past experiences and acquired knowledge to make judgments about new experiences and other people, but at times they can be limiting, off base, and downright unhelpful. We can have more meaningful connections with one another when we are open to not knowing and are willing to consider other perspectives while coming from a place of compassion and empathy.
    Read More
  • Cadence Pentheny of the Triangle Community Center and Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Kojo Clarke

    NCCS Parent DEI Taskforce Hosts LGBTQ+101: An Introduction for Parents and Caregivers

    The Country School Parent DEI Taskforce hosted part 2 of the 2-part series, LGBTQ+101: An Introduction for Parents and Caregivers, Sept. 22. Cadence Pentheny of the Triangle Community Center explored how LBGTQ+ youth in Fairfield County feel as they navigate life in our region in a 45-minute presentation, followed by opportunities for small break out conversations and a Q&A segment.
    Read More

  • Upper School Students Share LGBTQ+ Conversation

    Our Parent DEI Task Force recently hosted an “LGBTQ+ Support 101” workshop for parents and caregivers in our community presented by Cadence Pentheny from The Triangle Community Center. Approximately 50 participants joined us. In preparation, we asked Upper School students to anonymously share some thoughts with those who would be present. Following are the three questions we asked, and some of their responses: 
    Read More

  • It Might Take a Leap of Faith

    By Freddy Gavidia, Technical Systems Analyst, P’23

    On Dec. 3, 2014 I took a leap of faith that had a profound impact on me. I was warned: “POCC will change you…” but I was undaunted by the thought of attending that year’s People of Color Conference (PoCC) in Indianapolis, Indiana. The conference description that year read: “PoCC serves as a clarion call to leverage the unparalleled opportunity for educational excellence that racial, ethnic, and cultural differences present in our schools and in our communities. This conference is also a unique model for leadership development, as it is presented from an all-too-often unexplored vantage point — that of teachers, administrators, staff, and heads of color in independent schools. We are honored you have joined us to share your perspective as well.”
    Read More

  • Restoring a Sense of Humanity

    by Donald W. Burnes, PhD '56, Alumnus

    Born the son of two NCCS teachers and administrators, both of whom were liberal in their politics and deeply committed to racial and economic equality, I learned early on about the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion. Thanks to my parents, I never lost sight of this during my 10 years at NCCS, three years at prep school and four years at college.

    These values were strengthened when I had lunch with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr in my junior year at Princeton; he was truly brilliant, charismatic and inspiring, and I walked away from that lunch with an increased commitment to continue my parents’ set of values.
    Read More

  • Rooted in a Desire to Learn More

    by Nicole Harder, P ‘24, ‘27, ’29, DEI Parent Task Force Member

    Truth be told, for most of my life I never thought of myself as someone that needed to do DEI work. While I tend to adhere to the general principle that there is always more to learn about everything, I think I had subconsciously convinced myself that because I consider myself to be a “good”, non-racist person, DEI was not something I needed to devote my energy to learning more about. 

    That all changed for me during the Spring of 2020. I, like so many of us, was home, feeling desperate and helpless about the state of our country and of our world. I was scared about covid and all of the unknowns that came with it, and utterly heartbroken at the racial divide and unrest that came to a head during those critical months.
    Read More
  • Lower School Students Reciting

    Country School Community Honors Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

    The New Canaan Country School community celebrated the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. on Jan. 14 in a variety of ways including student assemblies and an alumni panel.
    Read More

  • Finding Connection Through 'Mothers at Work' Group

    My journey as a mother who works has taken many twists over the past 25 years. I have felt the most supported as a part of the Mothers at Work resource group, which in turn has increased my sense of connection to a broad and diverse community at New Canaan Country School. 

    My quest to meld professional ambitions with a commitment to parenting led me to many career experiments from full time to part time work to sabbaticals. I have tried crazy red eye flights to minimize time away from home as well as extending trips and traveling with a child in tow.  I have found ways to time shift aspects of my work so I could be available for family from after school to bedtime hours. I have learned to function on little or fluctuating amounts of sleep and find the humor in it whenever possible. As one of very few women in leadership roles at my firm, I made it my mission not only to define a career path that would work for me, but to also advocate for policy changes that would make it easier for others who would follow.
    Read More

  • I Was Moved by What I Heard at SDLC

    by Riley Newport, Ninth Grade Student
     
    This past November, I attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference with five of my peers. According to the National Association Alliance of Independent Schools, “The NAIS Online Student Diversity Leadership Conference is a multiracial, multicultural gathering of upper school student leaders (grades 9-12) from across the U.S. and abroad. SDLC focuses on self-reflecting, forming allies, and building community. Led by a diverse team of trained adult and peer facilitators, participating students develop cross-cultural communication skills, design effective strategies for social justice practice through dialogue and the arts, and learn the foundations of allyship and networking principles.”
    Read More

  • Our Values are Our Cornerstone

    by Taryn Jones Laeben '95, Alumna and Parent

    I remember my 10 years at NCCS so very fondly. Sports games, field trips, assemblies, and so many deep friendships that have lasted a lifetime – my memory is full of joyful, formative recollections. Sometimes I find myself momentarily overcome with emotion when I drop my third grade daughter, Amaya, off at the Lower School car line or drive up to the Welles building.  Waving to Mr. Bogus when he is directing traffic or reminiscing with Mr. Stoller brings me right back to those wonderful years at school, and my constant feeling of gratitude Amaya is able to grow up in such a special environment.
    Read More

  • Senator Murphy Honors New Canaan Country School Student for MLK Essay

    New Canaan Country School sixth grade student Cameron Ableman’s essay was among the 15 winning essays selected by U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy in his sixth annual "Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Essay Challenge."

    “I was particularly inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr.’s resilience in the face of so many hardships and people who didn't believe in him or what he was fighting for,” said Cameron, a resident of Rowayton. “The idea of pushing through tough times and sticking with it until you make it right is something that I can really relate to.” 
    Read More

  • Alumnus Reminisces About Country School Experience

    by Jay Craft '13
    To this day, it feels as though I have spent the majority of my life at Country School. I may have moved on through high school, college, and now into the workforce, but I have never remained anywhere for as long as at NCCS. I have such fond memories of the wonderful faculty and staff; events like Deal Days and the Frogtown Fair; field trips to Nantucket and Yellowstone, and best of all, half-day Wednesdays! 

    During my time at NCCS, I was fortunate enough to have several faculty and staff work closely with me to further my goals and aspirations. Not only did these teachers express interest in my growth and development, but they consciously contributed to my success and encouraged me to pursue opportunities I once thought to be out of reach. Had I not attended NCCS, I am certain I would not have the determination and work ethic that I pride myself on today.
    Read More

  • From Head of Early Childhood: Transforming 'Doubt' into 'Do'

    by Beth O'Brien, P'25
    "People are opting out of vital conversations about diversity and inclusivity because they fear looking wrong, saying something wrong, or being wrong. Choosing our own comfort over hard conversations is the epitome of privilege, and it corrodes trust and moves us away from meaningful and lasting change." ~Brene Brown, Dare to Lead                                                                            
     
    Last May, I took a photo of this image. It spoke so powerfully to me about my current mindset in regard to diversity and inclusion conversations. For so long, doubt plagued me. Doubt about my ability. Doubt about saying the wrong thing. Doubt about thinking in my role that I needed to know how to do it all perfectly. Basically, I felt everything author Brene Brown so honestly and poignantly captures in the quote above. So I wrote DOUBT and crossed out the ‘UBT’ and I began the work.
    Read More

  • Parents' Association President-Elect Reflects on Personal Growth

    by Jen Kline, P'25, P'27
    I’m not going to lie. When Kojo Clarke, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, asked me to submit a reflection for the DEI newsletter, I was apprehensive. I questioned not only his choice of me as messenger, but whether I had the inner strength to write about something so personal. Because let’s be honest, to truly do this type of work, you have to be brave. You have to allow yourself to be completely vulnerable. You have to be able to admit what you don’t know. This can be scary, intimidating and uncomfortable. But as I’ve learned through my involvement in the Parent DEI Task Force, it doesn’t have to be. Before I tell you more about the task force and my experience with it, let me first tell you why I decided to join.
    Read More

  • Upper School Student Finds the Pollyanna Conference "Life-Changing"

    by Penelope Arredondo, Ninth Grade Student
    At Country School, where each student is taught to be a risk taker and treat others the way they want to be treated, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, (DEI) is at the center of the community. Country School has always felt like a family to me, and as I have become older, I have started to ask myself why this is the case. The answer is inclusion.
    Read More
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New Canaan Country School

635 Frogtown Road, New Canaan, CT 06840
Phone: (203) 972-0771
New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.