2015 NPEA Conference Presentation

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