A day of learning and development for GCCSD staff
The learning never stops at Gates Chili, and that goes for all district staff, as well as students. The Gates Chili Central School District staff gathered at GCHS for the Superintendent’s Conference Day on Oct. 8.
As a way to meet its goal of fostering an equitable school community, the district invited more than 800 staff members to listen to keynote speaker Dr. Omékongo Dibinga, nationally known for his work on diversity, equity and inclusion and culturally-responsive teaching. Dr. Dibinga is a professor of inter-cultural communication at American University. Dr. Dibinga spoke to the entire GCCSD staff and answered staff questions about how to better serve and support our students as it relates to equity and inclusion. A large part of his message was a focus on relationships and understanding students’ culture.
“Really when it comes down to it, we’re talking about the future of our children, we’re talking about the future of our country,” shared Dr. Dibinga. “Be willing to think about situations and issues with a new or expanded perspective…when we are doing this work, words that we use matter.”
Following Dr. Dibinga’s keynote, learning continued when staff members split into breakout rooms for two additional in-depth learning sessions. Topics in those breakout sessions included addressing food insecurity among Gates Chili students, connecting with English Language Learners and their families, and understanding behavior through a culturally-responsive lens.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with staff sharing they would like more opportunities to deepen their understanding of equity to support all students. Haj Marigh, an ESOL teacher at GCHS said that there were important things to take from the event.
“What's powerful is knowing the students, their cultural backgrounds and understanding them,” Marigh explained. “We have the tools to teach them so they can be successful, so they feel welcome, and to create a positive environment for them.”
Gates Chili High School students participating in the Peer Leaders class were on hand to help guide staff and faculty to their breakout sessions. Mya Rone, a GCHS student in the Peer Leader program, said that she was glad that all GC staff had a chance to hear Dr. Dibinga and participate in the sessions, “I want to say thank you, it really does make a difference – without this learning and the work you’re putting in, the world won’t get better and we need that, so thank you.”
Dr. Dibinga addresses Gates Chili staff in a breakout session.
GCCSD staff members participate in a breakout group discussion in the GCHS library mezzanine.
Click the image below to see and hear highlights from the day!