The document discusses cultural competence in independent schools and what school leaders need to know. It covers defining key terms like diversity, inclusion, and equity. It discusses assessing a school's current approach and developing an institutional approach. This includes examining recruitment and retention of diverse students and staff. It also discusses the importance of ongoing assessment and training to develop cultural competence. The goal is for schools to progress from exclusive to fully inclusive environments that celebrate diversity.

1. Atlanta International School
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee
Seattle Girls’ School
Cultural Competence
in Independent Schools:
What Leaders Need to Know
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

2. About Seattle Girls’ School
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

3. Goals
 Cultural Competency
 Assessing Where You Are
 Priming for Change (or Sustaining It)
 Recruitment TO Retention
 Assessing and Reassessing
 Resources
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

4. About Seattle Girls’ School
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
Basic Definitions
Diversity: Difference, Variety
Diversity is Value Added:
Business Portfolio
Biodiversity
Creativity
Innovation

5. Dimensions of Identity and Culture
This model of identifiers and culture was created by Karen Bradberry and Johnnie Foreman for NAIS Summer Diversity Institute,
adapted from Loden and Rosener’s Workforce America! (1991) and from Diverse Teams at Work, Gardenswartz & Rowe (SHRM 2003).
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

6. About Seattle Girls’ School
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
Basic Definitions
Inclusion: A sense of belonging,
worthiness, and value one feels in an
organization
Are you an owner or an employee?
Are you “in the family” or are you a guest?

7. About Seattle Girls’ School
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
Inclusion Parable:
The Giraffe
and the Elephant

8. About Seattle Girls’ School
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
Basic Definitions
Equity: providing opportunities and
access to all so that every person can
achieve his/her full potential. Equitable
treatment involves acknowledging
diversity, recognizing and celebrating
our differences, and eliminating the
barriers that prevent the full
participation of all peoples.

9. Equality vs Equity
Everybody gets a shirt versus everybody
gets a shirt that fits.
Giving everybody some insulin in
equality. Giving only people who are
diabetic some insulin is equity.
What is “fair”?
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

10. Equality vs Equity
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

11. Culture [consists] primarily of the
symbolic, ideational, and intangible
aspects of human societies… It is the
values, symbols, interpretations, and
perspectives that distinguish one
people from another.
James A. Banks
What is Culture?
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

12. Cultural Competency:
Many Models
Cultural competence is a set of
congruent behaviors, attitudes and
policies that come together in a
system, institution or individual and
enable that system, institution or
individual to work effectively in cross-
cultural situations.
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
Terry Cross

13. Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
The Jones Model of Cultural Competence
Cultural Self-
Awareness
Cultural
Intelligence
Cross-Cultural
Effectiveness
Skills
Countering
Oppression
through
Inclusion

14. Cultural Competence: Key Elements
Value Orientation
Diversity as Value Added
Respect
Relationships
Equity
Thought Orientation
Knowledge
Awareness
Systems Thinking
Action Orientation
Consciousness Building
Capacity Building
Assessment
Adaptation
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

15. An Educational Imperative
The Moral Case
The Academic Case
The Economic Case
Institution Excellence
Teacher Excellence
Student Excellence
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

16. 21st Century Education and Excellence
 Critical Thinking
 Collaboration
 Communication
 Creativity
 Cosmopolitanism
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

17. Reflection Pause
What is your school’s
current understanding or
practice of cultural
competency? What are its
strengths? Where are its
growth areas?
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

18. An Institutional Approach
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

19. From Exclusive to Inclusive:
Developmental Stages
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

20. Milton Bennett’s
Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

21. Hallmarks of Earlier Phases
 People feel pressure to fit in
 People fear speaking up
 “Who you know” is more important than “what you
know” (relationship-based culture)
 You only trust those closest to you (cliques)
 Denial of differences is considered a virtue (“we
don’t see differences here”)
 It’s hard for outsiders to learn the rules (sink or
swim to prove yourself)
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

22. Hallmarks of Later Phases
 People can bring their full selves to school
 The school encourages and welcomes people to
contribute different opinions and points of view
 There is a performance driven culture
 People form dynamic and diverse groups (trust)
 Differences are seen as additive and productive
 Success is explicitly defined, and the school supports
people in achieving it
 The school has an interactive culture
 People have the competencies to adapt to different
cultural contexts.
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

23. Identifying Growth Zones – The 5Ps
• Policy – Enumeration of the school’s diversity
commitment through mission, strategic plan,
handbooks, websites, etc.
• Programming – Diversity training and programming for
all constituencies (board, admin, faculty, staff,
students, families, etc.). Diversity and inclusivity
curriculum.
• Practice – Consistent and meaningful revisit of policy
and programs. Climate assessments, proactive
changes, and meaningful responses to incidents.
• People – Critical mass of people who are supportive
AND active on all levels.
• Pecuniary – Funding, people, and time allocated in the
strategic plan and daily life for supporting diversity
efforts.
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

24. Everybody Has a Role
Inclusive Classroom Practices
Recruitment to Retention
Leaders and Leadership
Cultural Competence for the Non-
Teaching Educator
Cultural Proficiency Essentials for
Teacher Administrators
Inclusion Planning Tool
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

25. Reflection Pause
Where is your school in its
progression toward being a
culturally sensitive,
inclusive and competent
organization? What makes
you think so?
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

26. Concentrating on the People:
Recruitment TO Retention
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

27. Stages of Recruitment to Retention
 Recruiting
 Interviewing
 Admitting/Hiring
 Starting before the first school year begins
 Conducting professional development
 Mentoring and collaborating
 Assessing, supervising, observing and evaluating
 Granting tenure/permanence/leadership
 Sustaining the connection – “Stay Interviews”
 Developing life-long learners
 Renewing and reorienting
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

28. Leveraging Your People
 Back up your enthusiasts 15-20%
 Sanction outright resisters 15-20%
 Work on your 60-70%
 Be authentic about where you are
 Support your pioneers
 Cultivate your voices of conscience
 Contribute your stubborn ounces
 Constantly reference your mission
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

29. Keeping Up To Date:
Assessment and Training
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

30. Assess and Reassess
 Demographic Trends
– Entrance Numbers
– Attrition Numbers
– Disciplinary Cases
– Academic Cases
– Financial Aid Breakdowns
 Climate Surveys
 Exit Interviews
 Programmatic Surveys
 Pre-Post Assessments
 Every 1-2 Years
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

31. Cultural Competency Skillsets
 Identity Development
 Cross Cultural
Communication
 Intercultural Conflict
 Bias, Power, and Systems
 Privilege and Allyship
 School Culture and Change
 Inclusive Curriculum
 Leading and Following
 Cultural Adaptation
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

32. Doing It on a Budget
 Free Climate Surveys
 Survey Monkey
 Word Clouds
 Task Forces and Focus Groups
 Online Courses with Cohorts
 Post Conference Share-Outs and
Trainings
 Book Discussion Groups
 Expertise Exchange
 Forming Consortia With Other
Schools
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

33. Resources Available
at tiny.cc/rosettalee
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
 Common Vocabulary
 Assessment Tools From Various Organizations
 Links to Resource Websites
 Professional Development Options
 Must Read Books
 Can’t Find What You’re Looking For? Contact Me!

34. Making Choices, Setting Priorities
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

35. Final Questions or Comments?
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

36. Presenter Information
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee
6th Faculty and
Professional Outreach
Seattle Girls’ School
2706 S Jackson Street
Seattle WA 98144
(206) 805-6562
rlee@seattlegirlsschool.org
http://tiny.cc/rosettalee
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

37. Resources
• Karen Bradberry and Johnnie Foreman, “Privilege and
Power,” Summer Diversity Institute, National Association
of Independent Schools, 2009
• Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman, Nurture Shock
• Kevin Jennings, GLSEN (Gay Lesbian and Straight Education
Network) www.glsen.org
• Allan G. Johnson, Privilege, Power, and Difference
• Johnnie McKinley, “Leveling the Playing Field and Raising
African American Students’ Achievement in Twenty-nine
Urban Classrooms,” New Horizons for Learning,
http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/differentiated/
mckinley.htm
Michael J Nakkula and Eric Toshalis, Understanding Youth.
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

38. Cultural Competence and
Educational Excellence
 "How Diversity Affects Teaching and Learning Climate of Inclusion has a
Positive Effect on Learning Outcomes," by Sylvia Hurtado. 2, 3, 5
http://www.diversityweb.org/research_and_trends/research_evaluation_impact/
benefits_of_diversity/ sylvia_hurtado.cfm
 • University of Michigan . Gratz v. Bollinger, et al., No. 97-75321 (E.D.
Michigan), Grutter v. Bollinger et al., No. 97-75928 (E.D. Michigan). 1 "The
Educational Value of Diversity." Center for Institutional Diversity.
 •"Who Benefits from Racial Diversity in Higher Education?" by Mitchell J.
Chang, Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Loyola Marymount
University, and Alexander W. Astin, Director, Higher Education Research
Institute, University of California- Los Angeles. 2, 3
http://www.diversityweb.org/Digest/W97/research.html
 •"Fostering Intercultural Harmony in Schools Research Findings." Report,
prepared by Kathleen Cotton, Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory,
Portland, Oregon, 1993. "Cooperative Learning, Multicultural Functioning and
Student Achievement. San Bernadino, CA: San Bernadino School District,
1990. 2, 4 http://www.nwrel.org/scpd/sirs/ 8/topsyn7.h
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

39. Miscellaneous Resources
• Cornell University ILR Management Programs
(www.ilr.cornell.edu)
• National Training Lab (www.ntl.org)
• Robert Evans, The Human Side of School Change
• Malcolm Gladwell, The Tipping Point
• Jim Collins, Good To Great
• Stephen R. Covey’s Coveylink
• Stephen M. R. Covey, The Speed of Trust
• Michelle Cummings, Training-Wheels.com
• Terrence Deal and Kent Peterson, Shaping School
Culture: The Heart of Leadership
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)