This document discusses the experiences of Latina students in independent schools and the importance of understanding their identity development. It notes that the Latina student population is growing but these students often have to navigate multiple worlds between their culture and school culture. To better serve Latina students, schools need to move beyond just promoting diversity to truly implementing it, and empower students by allowing them to tell their own narratives. The document suggests schools support Latina students' hybrid identities that enable them to feel comfortable in multiple worlds, and advocate for understanding that no person is one-dimensional. It provides recommended readings on identity, theory, and the experiences of Latina students.

1. Latina Students Bridging
Multiple Worlds in
Independent Schools
LILLIAN DÍAZ-IMBELLI, ED. D.

2. Why do we need to understand Latina students?
 The Latina school age population is one of the fastest growing and
youngest population in the nation.
 As schools continue to recognize the advantages to all members of a
school community of a more diverse school population, we must be able
to serve the students we accept into our schools.
 The better we serve students, the more likely other students will follow
and the greater likelihood there is of individual and collective success.
 We must move diversity from well-meaning to well-doing. (Verna A.
Meyers)

3. Beyond the Promise of a Great Education
 Soy Mi Cuento: Latina Students Bridging Multiple Worlds in
Independent Schools: Does an awareness of identity development
offer an advantage to the student navigating independent school culture?
 At the heart of inclusion is a social justice imperative
 The work Before and the work After
 Belonging versus Deserving
 The Danger of a Single Story
 We all have a story and we should be the ones telling our own
narrative

4. 21 Century Perspective on Diversity and Inclusion
 Diversity Work is not One Sided
 Affinity Groups and the School Community
 The Latino Family; Socioeconomic Status; Gender; School
Experience
 Creating the Master Narrative
 Are we brave enough to empower students to contribute to the
(diversity/inclusion) agenda in our schools?
 Are their professionals in the school community that can guide and
support the Latina student?

5. Hybrid Identity and Global Education
 Understand that no person is one-dimensional (infinite density)
 Stop thinking in binary terms: Assimilation; Separatism;
Segmentation. Think in hybrid terms (A New Tribalism):
Collaboration; Connection. Celebrate our Commonalities!
 Hybrid Identity enables individuals to feel comfortable in multiple
worlds without sacrificing the self in the process
 Hybrid Individuals bridge between multiple worlds with confidence;
Communities recognize and value all Cultural Capital.
 Hybrid Individuals have the potential to model a global perspective
for others.

6. Suggested Reading:
On Identity
 The Other Wes Moore (Wes Moore)
 The Misadventures of an Awkward
Black Girl (Issa Rae)
 Brown Girl Dreaming (Jacqueline
Wooodson)
 Things White Latinos Are Sick of
Hearing (YouTube: Laflama.com;
Joanna Hausmann)
 Americanah (Chimamanda Ngozi
Adichie); Ted Talk: The Danger of a
Single Story
On Theory
 Borderlands: La Frontera (Gloria Anzaldúa)
 When I Was Puerto Rican (Esmeralda
Santiago)
 Teaching for Joy and Justice: The Danger of
a Single Story (Linda Christensen)
 Moving Diversity Forward: How to Go from
Well-Meaning to Well-Doing (Verna A.
Meyers)
 Soy Mi Cuento: Latinas Bridging Multiple
Worlds in Independent Schools
Lillian Díaz-Imbelli, Ed.D –
http://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/education_etd/178