The role of DEI Practitioners in the School is to support and assist the DEI Director in advancing the work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. They facilitate DEI programming in their respective division or office as it relates to the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Education.

Alison Rodgers, Lower School Library and Media Specialist
Years at Stone Ridge: 2

What do you hope to bring to DEI work in your area?
As the Lower School librarian, my goal is to help students develop a lifelong love of reading. These young and curious readers are in the critical stages of forming their literary habits and interests, and I want to make sure they have access to inclusive and representative stories. Children’s literature can be a powerful, accessible, and fun way to teach students about themselves and others. I strive to fill the shelves with books written by diverse authors and featuring diverse characters—and then actively share these wonderful titles by displaying them, reading them, talking about them, and putting them into the hands of students. It is critical that all students feel their identities, backgrounds, interests, and questions belong at Stone Ridge—and I hope to support that by making sure all students see themselves reflected in the Lower School library collection.

 

DeShauna Curry, Upper School Assistant Dean of Students
Years at Stone Ridge: 2

Why is DEI important to you?
In a world where differences are assigned a value of right or wrong, it is imperative to understand and respect that all lived experiences are valid and valuable. Achieving equity requires recognizing and acknowledging differences, openness, and having courageous and sometimes uncomfortable conversations to move beyond our current understanding. We are called upon to support the community members as they navigate challenging conversations and provide strategies to build the bridge of unity and belonging.

 

Christine L’Hermine Watkins, Middle School French Teacher
Years at Stone Ridge: 5

Why is DEI important to you? What calls you to do DEI work?
We are made in the image and likeness of God—each and every single person. If I claim to believe that Christ is the source of love, healing, and hope, then I am responsible as a follower of Jesus to seek new ways to encounter my sisters and brothers, to work for justice, and be a source of healing and reconciliation. As a wife, mother, friend, teacher, neighbor, and citizen of this world, I must be part of the healing and reconciliation, and teach our future generations what it means to really love each other in the manner we are called to love.

 

Ellie Blakeslee, Middle School Drama Teacher
Years at Stone Ridge: 2

What do you hope to bring to DEI work in your area?
I hope to help equip our students with the confidence and strength to advocate for themselves and others in their community, facilitating collaboration and support between different marginalized groups. I also hope to continue the work of supporting our LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and families, helping them feel welcomed and celebrated in our community, and facilitating respectful dialogue. DEI work is hard—if it was easy, it wouldn’t be work, and I want to support our community as we all continue learning and working.

 

Courtney Perna, Human Resources Manager
Years at Stone Ridge: 4

What calls you to do DEI work?
I’m called to do DEI work as a way to represent my belief system and to hopefully be helpful to others. So much of Human Resources is about relationships, so I see my work very much as an opportunity for me to live out the mission of our Sacred Heart community. I see my role as a Human Resources Manager as twofold, I want to do my best to attract and retain a diverse group of people to work at Stone Ridge and I want to help employees have the most positive work experience possible once they come to work at Stone Ridge. We all benefit from being in an environment with a lot of different people and I am grateful for each of the varied and important gifts that Stone Ridge employees bring to the workplace.

 

Karen Craig, Grade 5 Social Studies Teacher
Years at Stone Ridge: 1

What calls you to do DEI work?
I believe that DEI work is the right thing to do. I want everyone to have equal opportunities and treatment and for Stone Ridge to be a place where community members stand up for what is right. By modeling this behavior, I hope to instill in my students the courage to do so, even when it might be hard.

 

 

Katie White, Director of Social Action
Years at Stone Ridge: 4

Why is DEI important to you?
The more diverse, equitable, and inclusive an environment, the better chance we have at creating a sense of belonging and working toward justice. I have had the privilege of working alongside, learning from and being mentored by women of color, particularly Black women, throughout my academic and professional career and I hope to be half as effective in moving the needle forward as they have modeled for me. I also see DEI work in direct conversation with the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education and Catholic Social Teaching.