Last week, a group comprising 13 Durham Academy faculty and staff traveled to St. Louis for the National Association of Independent Schools People of Color Conference (PoCC) — a gathering dedicated to leadership, professional development and networking for people of color and allies of all backgrounds in independent schools.
PoCC provides four days' worth of seminars, master classes and workshops to equip educators with knowledge and skills to improve the diverse climates in their schools and support positive academic, social-emotional and workplace outcomes for students and adults.
DA also sent six students to PoCC's companion conference, the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC), which is a multiracial, multicultural gathering of student leaders from eligible independent high schools across the U.S. and abroad. SDLC helps students develop cross-cultural communication skills and effective strategies for dialogue at their schools, as well as allyship and networking principles.
Upper School Mandarin Chinese teacher, advisor and diversity curriculum coordinator Bonnie Wang was among the DA faculty/staff group who attended, and she penned this reflection about her experience:
By Bonnie Wang, Upper School Mandarin Chinese Teacher & DEE Curriculum Consultant
As an educator, I've always believed in the transformative power of education, not just in shaping young minds but also in fostering understanding, empathy and unity within a diverse community. My journey as a first-generation female immigrant of color has been intertwined with my eight years at Durham Academy.
I've had the privilege of serving AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) students and supporting the rich tapestry of cultures, backgrounds and identities that compose our student body. Beyond teaching, my role expanded to encompass a beacon of understanding, a facilitator of unity and an advocate for each student's journey toward self-realization.
My story begins with realizing the power of identity and the impact of representation. Growing up as a female Han Chinese in Northeast China, I grappled with the tension between accepting the gender expectations of others and having the privileged access to my heritage, which is highlighted as the mainstream culture in Chinese society. Embracing my multifaceted identities wasn't solely a personal endeavor: It would prove crucial to understanding and supporting my students, regardless of their backgrounds.
Fast-forward to my role as one of the faculty advisors of the Upper School API (Asian and Pacific Islander) Affinity Group. Seven years ago, Ashley Kim ’17 came to my classroom and invited me to join her and a couple of other students in establishing this group. It’s been a profound honor ever since to guide and support students as they navigate their own paths of self-discovery, all while I continue exploring my own.
Currently, about 25% of the Upper School student body identifies as AAPI. Our gatherings and discussions transcend cultural differences: They embrace the beauty of our diversities while emphasizing our shared humanity. Through this group, I've witnessed the importance of collective voices to foster inclusion and empowerment.
This journey — as an AAPI educator in an independent school — has been one of introspection, growth and advocacy. It's a journey marked by the unwavering belief that education serves as a catalyst for societal change. It's a journey that requires continuous learning, self-reflection and a steadfast commitment to amplifying diverse voices in our educational spaces.
Attending the 2023 NAIS People of Color Conference in St. Louis — held Nov. 29 to Dec. 2 — was a pivotal moment that reaffirmed the importance of advocacy and served as a reminder of the work that still lies ahead. The conference provided a platform to engage in essential conversations, learn from diverse perspectives and collaborate with like-minded educators — including 13 attending faculty and staff members from DA — who are passionate about equity and inclusivity.
My experience at the conference reinforced the notion that education is not merely about transmitting knowledge: It’s about empowering students to become active contributors to a more just and equitable society. I got to talk to our six Upper School student leaders who attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference every day in St. Louis, and those conversations strengthened my resolve to dismantle barriers, challenge biases and amplify marginalized voices within our school community.
Students are eager to bring back more changes and ideas to enrich the diversity — and embrace the unity — of our school community. I'm proud to be part of that community, one that values inclusivity and works tirelessly to foster a culture where every individual feels a sense of belonging.
Together, let us continue to champion diversity, celebrate our differences and — equipped with the lessons our students and staff have carried from the PoCC — build a future rooted in empathy and understanding.
