About
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are important concepts we align with at Gould Academy. Sometimes abbreviated as DEI or DEIB, we enter into this work with a sense of purpose and intent, and the understanding that this will be an ongoing pursuit.
Head of School, Tao Smith '90, P'23
DEI is not a goal to be achieved, but a state of being and a lifelong commitment. We commit to this work on behalf of those who have felt voiceless, powerless, or forgotten. We commit to this work for the betterment of all individuals here at Gould, for our alumni, and for future generations of Gould students. And, we commit to this work out of love, for only through this embrace may we approach understanding and appreciation for each other.
List of 10 news stories.
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Student DEIB discussion led by Lexi Stewart '15
Students convened last Thursday night for a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) discussion led by Lexi Stewart ’15 in response to a recent GAzette article. The conversation centered around where we are as a community with our DEIB work and where we need to be in the future. While Lexi has been supporting Gould's DEIB efforts and meeting with students via Zoom calls, this was her first trip back to campus and Maine since she graduated seven years ago.Read More -
Robert Shetterly, “Americans Who Tell the Truth” painter visits Gould
Read MoreRobert Shetterly, the painter of the acclaimed and provocative portrait series Americans Who Tell the Truth paid a visit to Gould this week. Robert joined classes to examine the significance of his subjects, and explore his process with art students. -
Holding Difficult Conversations About Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Gould Academy
As seen in the Winter 21-22 issue of The GAzette magazine:
When College Guidance Counselor Maggie Davis undertook the role of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force Coordinator in the spring of 2020, she had already heard certain stories from Gould’s past. But Davis rightly suspected these stories were only the tip of a much larger iceberg.May 2020 had become an inflection point. George Floyd’s death and the Black Lives Matter movement were prompting Gould alumni to share long-suppressed sentiments and relate painful, formative experiences. Davis determined that she would embark on a “listening tour,” intended to provide a platform for these stories. From them, the Gould community could learn and begin to understand.
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Gould
Read MoreStudents gathered in advisory groups for Martin Luther King Jr. Day to watch intentionally chosen films including Selma, Moonlight, and One Night in Miami, that celebrate Black excellence, but also invite students to grapple with complex issues. After viewing the films each group engaged in rich discussions about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, (DEIB) and talked about how the concepts apply to their daily life. -
Gould Faculty Members Explore Implicit Bias
This fall, the foundation was set to begin training the Gould community about various concepts under the DEI umbrella. This week, scheduled training and structured conversations began. All faculty members participated in a thirty minute session about implicit bias on Monday. Instructions were to watch a training video, do guided self-reflection, and then discuss in both small and large groups. The goal was to provide a context within which people could operate, and encourage and demonstrate what DEI looks like from an everyday perspective.Read More -
Stephanie Montgomery, P’00 Accepts DEB Director Position at Gould
Read MoreWe are pleased to announce that Stephanie Williams Montgomery, J.D., has accepted the position of Gould’s Director of Diversity, Equity and Belonging, beginning August 22. Ms. Montgomery has long been a part of the Gould family, first as a parent of Juliana Montgomery, Class of 2000, and later serving as a member of our Board of Trustees from 2010-2019. -
Moving Beyond Accountability: A Mountainous Climb Toward Justice
As the country watched, breathlessly waiting for the jury’s decision on whether or not George Floyd was “murdered” by a police officer, it felt as though the immediate future of our country hung in the balance. A mountain of historical evidence exists to prove that our system of justice and accountability does not work when it comes to abuse of power and police brutality.Read More -
Students Organize Earth Day Walkout for Climate Justice
On the steps of Hanscom Hall, on a cold, blustery day with a dusting of April snow on the ground, Eliza Skillings ’21, Ella Raymond ’21, Hannah McMillan ’22, and Natsuka Kusumoto ’23 made an appeal to the Gould community to address the climate crisis.Read More -
Standing Against Hate in the Wake of the Atlanta Shootings
A letter from Head of School Tao Smith ’90, P’23 in response to the Atlanta Shootings.Read More -
MLK Day 2021: How to Implement the Legacy of Dr. King
An evening of workshops for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Our expert panelists will offer their thoughts and suggestions as we hold Dr. King’s Dream in our hands.Read More
Gould is a small, co-ed, independent boarding school for grades 8-PG. We are passionate about preparing academically motivated students for college, helping them to become independent-minded, ethical citizens who will lead lives of purpose, action, excellence, and compassion in a dynamic world.
