Blazing Toward Equity
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Issues in the News
Welcome back to Blair for the 2023-2024 school year!
This summer MBHS joined a cohort of several other schools in MCPS to take part in pilot trainings on LGBTQ+ Inclusivity to re-examine our policies and practices as we work toward creating more welcoming spaces for ALL of our students. Click through below to read about 1) how a recent lawsuit challenging gender support plans was dismissed and 2) an op-ed about the problems with an "opt-out" option for books representing diverse identities, plus 3) the list of approved texts with LGBTQ+ characters. How might these news items impact our Blazers?
By Donna St. George
2. MarylandMatters: We can't opt-out of diversity in our schools (7/11/23)
By David Fishback
3. Click here to see the list of LGBTQ-Inclusive Texts Approved for Instructional Use by grade-level
Created by MCPS Central Office
Instructional Resources
See below for tools to support anti-bias instructional practices.
Community Building
Example idea from the article to spark peer discussion & camaraderie: "How are rules (or routines) at Blair different from those at your last school? What feels confusing?" Teachers might follow up, clarify, and hear students out!
Educator Lens
Relevant excerpt: “We don’t want to wait until after a crisis to implement trauma-informed education…the best time to get them set up and understanding their emotions is before they go through something hard, so maybe when they experience something difficult, it’s not as destabilizing...”
Professional Development
PDO Self-Paced Course: #89533 De-Escalation Strategies
Description: Participants will learn the importance of de-escalation techniques when managing classrooms and schools. Content related to trauma and racial equity will be woven in. Specific strategies will be shared.
Additional Support
For additional support, see the DEI Consultation Request Form or the Restorative Intervention Request Form. I look forward to working & learning with you!
About This Site
Welcome to Blazing Toward Equity — Montgomery Blair High School's portal for diversity, equity, and inclusion instructional resources!
During the spring of 2020, our global community faced a reckoning with longstanding barriers to racial justice in our society. Principal Renay Johnson sought to deepen Blair's continued commitment to equity and appointed Rahman A. Culver — staff member and STEM Magnet program alumnus — as Blair's Diversity and Inclusion Instructional Coordinator (or Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator, for short). Ms. Singhal serves as the school's current Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator. Blair's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives support the MCPS Equity Journey and mirror the racial justice priorities of the Equity Initiatives Unit.
This site is one of many resources that are a part of the school's mission to foster highly effective, culturally responsive teaching. Here you will find practical tools as well as thought leadership to support you in this mission. You may direct possible submissions for the site, questions, and/or feedback to neha_singhal@mcpsmd.org.
MBHS Mission Statement
The mission of Montgomery Blair High School is to ensure that all students graduate equipped with the skills to successfully navigate their chosen path.
MBHS Equity Vision
Montgomery Blair High School continuously seeks to systematically examine and interrogate how students of different racial/ethnic, gender, and/or social groups access and experience Blair’s vast network of experiences and resources. Blair’s staff and leadership strive to ensure our school institutions reflect the full inclusion of our communities, and to eliminate racial predictability of achievement/opportunity by demonstrating culturally proficient policies, practices and behaviors. Blair’s anti-racist/anti-bias processes will critically analyze structures within the school and involve regular review and input from all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of enacting new practices to help ensure equitable outcomes for all students and families.
Principal Renay Johnson
Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator, Ms. Singhal
