Lindsey Pollock, Ed.D. - Principal Houston ISD – Houston, Texas HRC’s Welcoming Schools at Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet Lindsey Pollock, Ed.D. - Principal Houston ISD – Houston, Texas

Montessori for Social Justice Social justice is defined as "... promoting a just society by challenging injustice and valuing diversity." It exists when "all people share a common humanity and therefore have a right to equitable treatment, support for their human rights, and a fair allocation of community resources." In conditions of social justice, people are "not be discriminated against, nor their welfare and well-being constrained or prejudiced on the basis of gender, sexuality, religion, political affiliations, age, race, belief, disability, location, social class, socioeconomic circumstances, or other characteristic of background or group membership“ - - - Matthew Robinson, PhD

“This is education, understood as a help to life; an education from birth, which feeds a peaceful revolution and unites all in a common aim, attracting them as to a single centre. Mothers, fathers, politicians: all must combine in their respect and help for this delicate work of formation, which the little child carries on in the depth of a profound psychological mystery, under the tutelage of an inner guide. This is the bright new hope for mankind.” (Dr. Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind, p. 15)

Overview of Garden Oaks Houston, TX Montessori Magnet with Environmental Sciences Recently transitioned to all-Montessori (2nd yr) PTO, FOM Bilingual, Vanguard, Special Education, Title I PK3-8th grade 771 students (28% ELL) 36 classrooms

Why Welcoming Schools?

Family? Love?!

Reached out to my support network at school including supervisors, parents, teachers and school board member Built a network of supportive community members CLEAR message this was about LOVE not SEX Provided opportunities for adults to meet and discuss

GLSEN Welcoming Schools

Welcoming Schools Implementation video

Turn to your neighbor and discuss your impressions of the video What do you know? Turn to your neighbor and discuss your impressions of the video

People are multi-dimensional Age/generation Dietary Gender Medical Gender expression Physical Sexual orientation Religion/spirituality Cultural Race Language International Socio-economic Regional – north, south, east and west

I am Jazz “Race, gender, religion, sexuality, we are all people and that's it. We're all people. We're all equal.” ― Connor Franta

How did that exercise make you feel? What do we teach our children about diversity and LGBTQ? What have you been taught about diversity and LGBTQ? Resource www.world-trust.org

Why do we care about LGBTQ? We are interconnected We are one community We strive for a peaceful world We depend on one another for our existence on earth

June is Pride Month Review the Welcoming Schools implementation handout. Turn to your neighbor and discuss. Have you thought about implementation at your school or community?

People from "diverse" populations bring valuable perspectives.

We are a community!

Action steps? Take aways? Questions for the good of the group?

“This program teaches us how to respect and value diversity in all people. It’s not just about tolerating, but embracing everyone. When we create safe spaces for all people, we’re all the better for it. Nobody has to hide. And that’s just better for everybody.” - Lindsey Pollock, Principal of Garden Oaks Montessori, Texas

“I think... if it is true that there are as many minds as there are heads, then there are as many kinds of love as there are hearts.” ― Leo Tolstoy “Gender preference does not define you. Your spirit defines you.” ― P.C. Cast, Awakened “What sexual preference do you hope she has?” “Happiness.” Isnt that cool?” ― Francesca Lia Block, Weetzie Bat “It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” ― Maya Angelou

THANK YOU! Lindsey Pollock, Ed. D. lpollock@houstonisd.org 713-822-2274 cell Garden Oaks Montessori 901 Sue Barnett Houston, TX 77018