Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Vision Statement:

Bennett Day School is a community made up of individuals and families who are diverse in race, religion, age, ability, gender, socio-economics, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, nationality, cultures, and other identities. Our inclusive school population inspires students, faculty, staff, and families to develop a habit of mind for many perspectives different from their own.  

Bennett Day School values and embraces the identities of our community. We foster a sense of belonging. We commit to knowing every person in our community for who they are and what they contribute. This understanding drives our social and civic engagement and our commitment to becoming active citizens in our community. Our curriculum and programming supports our community as we develop awareness and respect for similarities and differences of others. As Bennett Day community members, we will take courageous action to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the world around us.

Meet Aaron Robinson, Director of DEI

Read Aaron's Bio

Aaron grew up in Michigan outside the city of Lansing and in the city of Detroit. He is a proud Detroiter and has no problem representing his hometown any chance he gets. He received a BA in History and English from Wayne State University and his Masters in Education from Michigan State University, and served his country as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the People’s Republic of China. 

Aaron is returning to Bennett with his expertise in adolescent and adult education to support and expand Bennett’s commitment to equity and inclusiveness as our first Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He previously worked as a middle school and high school teacher before becoming a Diversity Consultant in Chicago. Aaron has provided professional development, strategic leadership, and curriculum consulting with over a dozen schools, districts, and organizations in their DEI efforts. 

Doing the Work

School is not an inanimate, fixed place; It’s an adapting, evolving space for ideas, discourse, and connection. We know that engaging in conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) only strengthens our community. It is through this meaningful work that we build trust and understanding. 

Through multicultural education, our teachers strive to acknowledge and affirm the different learning styles and cultural backgrounds represented in their classroom and community. In this environment, students are encouraged to explore their own identities, consider different perspectives, and engage in critical conversations. 

We intentionally choose curricula, projects, and accompanying materials and texts that provide our students with windows into differing cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and mirrors that reflect their own.

Outside of the classroom, Bennett parents/guardians, faculty members, and students have many opportunities to continue this work together.

Examples of this include:

  • The National SEED Project (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity)
  • Student, Faculty, and Parent/Guardian Affinity Groups
  • DEI-focused Book Clubs 
  • DEI-focused Professional Development

Contact Us.

Email Bennett Day School’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advocacy Team (DAT).

Email DEI Advocacy Team

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advocacy Team (DAT) Chairs:

Jessica Young-Eleazar

Educational Programming

Marissa McDonald

Building Inclusive Community

Joel DeFayette

Internal Systems