Ethel Walker School
Social justice, equity, inclusion, and belonging are woven into the fabric of who we are and what we do.
The Ethel Walker School is committed to the work of justice and equity which is implemented throughout all facets of school life as we strive to be a model institution for this work. Through our strategic initiatives, senior leadership, course content, and intentional focus, Walker’s strives to be a community where every person can experience belonging and have what they need to thrive in our community.
In 2021, as part of our celebration of diversity at Walker’s and marking 50 years of Black alumnae, The Ward and Williams Center for Equity and Justice was opened in the heart of Beaver Brook, named for our first two Black graduates from the Class of 1971: Cassandra “Casey” Ward and Donna Williams.
The Center provides a space for students and adults to gather in a wide variety of ways, both formally and informally. As part of our Social Justice programming, it houses resources, archival information, and the offices of our Assistant Head for Student Life and Director of Social Justice. In honor of their 50th Reunion, the Class of 1971 made a collective gift to support the work of this Center in perpetuity to sustain a lasting impact on their alma mater.
Students bring a crucial voice to shape and drive our work forward. Through student affinity groups and regular dialogue across differences, Walker’s develops critically-engaged students committed to social change and transformative impact. Learn more about our student affinity groups on campus.
The Faculty and Staff of Color Affinity Group at The Ethel Walker School is an affinity group for self-identified people of color. The mission of the group is to build support rooted in community, solidarity and a sense of belonging.
The White Anti-Racist Educators (WARE) at The Ethel Walker School is an affinity group for white-identifying faculty and staff members. The mission of the group is to build racial stamina through open discussions about race, racism, and white supremacy and through self-reflective practices that interrogate members’ own whiteness and complicity in such systems.
There is nothing better than reaching the end of a difficult conversation on social justice and realizing that there is so much complexity in one’s identity.
—Kristen S. ’21
Middle School Social Justice Seminar is rooted in building communities of belonging, as students work to understand identity and stereotypes through introspection and perspective. Students explore the many ways identity is formed by reflecting on their own identities, assumptions, stereotypes, prejudice, and bias in the world.
In this course students explore their own identities and think about the ways identity impacts their perspective and their interactions with others. The curriculum examines social systems and concepts that provide advantages to some social identity groups while restricting access and opportunity to others. Specifically, there is an examination of the ways that socialization affects us and one another in the pursuit of justice and community. The class concludes the term addressing the ways that we can each take action within our own spheres of influence to create positive social change.
This History elective introduces juniors and seniors to systems of social inequality in the United States as they investigate the structural, interpersonal, and social dimensions of oppression. Course materials explore the ways that sexism, heterosexism, and racism have developed over time as well as the ways they impact each of us everyday. Students develop the language, tools, and skills to create positive social change.
As a commitment to learning and growing in Justice and Equity work, Walker’s students are encouraged and supported in their attendance at conferences, community gatherings, panels, webinars, and trainings. This attendance contributes to an advancement in understanding and sharing of critical information that guides and complements the work of course materials, affinity groups, and is critical in work with students towards their growth and solidarity with others in Justice and Equity work.
The Sixth Annual Black Girl Magic Ball will pay tribute to Elisa Del Valle, Assistant Head for Student Life and Director of Social Justice and Inclusion, as an Esteemed Honoree.
Added to: Diversity and Social Justice
On Wednesday, January 18, 2023, students at The Ethel Walker School commemorated the life and the legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a series of presentations, workshops,…
Added to: All School, Diversity and Social Justice
On Wednesday, Walker’s hosted members of the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) Commission on Diversity in Independent Schools (CODIS), an educators network focused on diversity, as well as training…
Added to: Diversity and Social Justice
Congratulations to Head of Middle School Isabel Ceballos, who was invited by Vice President for Equity and Justice for the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Caroline Blackwell to deliver the…
Added to: Diversity and Social Justice, Middle School
