Education

For Families - Workshop series

We have designed a series of workshops to educate families who are actively going through the admissions process with EARLY STEPS.  These events also allow families to meet others who are sharing a similar experience.  Panel participants include school heads and admissions directors as well as experienced EARLY STEPS parents.  Outside experts, including professionals of color, are engaged to offer specific assistance on a variety of topics. Family workshops explore topics such as:
  • The application process and the role of EARLY STEPS in that process.
  • The importance of learning about the various types of independent schools available to your child.
  • How to choose the best school for your child.
  • How to partner with your new school to be the best advocate for your child.
For Schools - Annual Membership Meeting

Held in May of each year, this meeting examines a pertinent topic in the diversity arena to assist school leaders to effectively address diversity issues in their schools. This year, Tim Wise, one of the most prominent anti-racist activists and writers in the U.S., spoke to our members at the Annual Membership Meeting about “Examining and Dismantling Privilege and Inequality”.  LINK

Past Annual Membership Meetings have focused on topics such as:
  • “When Person of Color is one of the lenses through which you view the kindergarten application process”; a conversation between parents whose children will enter school this September.
  • “Mindgames:  The Emotional Gymnastics of Being Black in Schooling Contexts”, presented by Howard C. Stevenson, PhD Associate Professor, Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania.
  • “Conversations From the Heart”,  EARLY STEPS students reflect on their life’s experiences in independent schools.
For EARLY STEPS Staff - Professional Development

As members of national and regional associations for independent schools, the EARLY STEPS staff regularly participates in conferences and workshops to stay current on the topic of equity and justice in general and as it relates to independent schools specifically. Executive Director Jacqueline Y. Pelzer has led many seminars and conferences on diversity drawing on her years of knowledge and advocacy for children of color in New York City independent schools.