Dr. Janelle Alexander Provides Introduction and Overview of Her Position as Inaugural Director of DIEB
Dr. Janelle Alexander, inaugural director of the Washington Township Public Schools’ Office of Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging (DIEB), provided an overview of her newly created position as a way of introduction to the community at the July 27th Board of Education meeting, sharing the lens in which she stands, the history that resulted in the creation of the position, and her vision for her new leadership role. Following an overview of the District’s grassroots equity endeavors by Director of Secondary Education Dr. Steve Gregor, Dr. Alexander expressed her enthusiasm for the important work that lies ahead.
“I come to you with breadth and depth of understanding of how to create meaningful change from various perspectives,” Dr. Alexander said in beginning her “Diverse by Design” presentation. “This District has worked really hard over the last four years and has done amazing things as it relates to diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging.”
As she explained it, diversity is when you invite someone to the table. Inclusion is having those around the table write the playlist together. But belonging is when all individuals know the songs and can jam together and enjoy the music.
“We can appreciate and feel comfortable with all of our genres because we feel a sense of belonging,” she said. “That is the feeling that I want to continue to grow here in Washington Township, despite any race, gender, faith, political perspective, age, sexuality – a space for everyone’s voice and perspective.”
In her first 30 days in the role, Dr. Alexander has embarked on a listening and learning tour. Starting with garnering an administrative perspective, she will soon lend her ear toward faculty and staff, students, families and community partners.
“You will see requests going out to the community to be a part of these conversations,” she said, “to be heard, to be able to speak your voice in your space, as I continue to listen and learn so that this District is going on one pathway.”
Dr. Alexander plans to embark on an ‘Intercultural Development Inventory” that will be administered to all members of the WTPS Administration and Equity Council during the first 90 days.
“This measures how someone understands cultural differences and how they respond to those,” Dr. Alexander said. “Not only measuring a mindset, but a skill set. The data will assist with facilitating collaborative conversations that promotes growth and development, rather than judgment. The results of these conversations will lead us to a District-wide foundational training, so we are all on the same page, from our lens and perspective.”
From there, Dr. Alexander plans to use the data, garnered through a completed District Equity Audit, to bring a collaborative development of a strategic plan that will be online, transparent and with public access. Her efforts will support more than 7,000 students, 700-plus faculty, 700-plus staff, and an increasingly diverse community.
“There are towns near and far that are looking at Washington Township and saying, ‘You are doing the work, and we applaud your leadership’,” she said. “Students and staff can learn empathy, supports and a shared understanding of societies, cultures and history. We will do this work for each and every one of you, not just for some of you, but all of you. I am excited to be here, and I look forward to the work ahead.”
Washington Township Public Schools’ Director of Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging Dr. Janelle Alexander provided an introduction and overview of her new leadership role at the July 27th Board of Education meeting.