In the most recent edition of Notre Dame’s “Diversity Newsletter” published by the school’s admissions department and distributed to the faculty and staff, Associate Dean of Admissions Corey Porterfield, a 1999 NDP graduate, writes about diversity and Notre Dame. Enjoy!
As diversity grows, we must grow
By Corey Porterfield, Associate Dean of Admissions (Lower, Middle Divisions)
In the 21st century, we have seen a series of events nationally and worldwide that have caused us as a nation to address diversity. From tragic events to the current presidential campaign, the subject of diversity has been used more as a “buzz” word, as opposed to a subject that is compelling and worth examining.
As a student at Notre Dame Prep in 1995-1999, I never thought about the diversity of the school. I didn’t feel like one of two African-American boys from my graduating class. This was largely due to the fact that NDP provided an environment that was inclusive, nurturing and dedicated to seeing their students succeed. NDP is where I made countless memories, developed into a Christian person, upright citizen and academic scholar. Overall, I felt that I was a member of the class of 1999 at NDP and received a great education that prepared me well for college.
Prior to working at NDPMA, I worked in the Pontiac School District as a special-education teacher for 10 years. I had a chance to work with a very diverse group of students and staff and this gave me a firsthand experience of the struggles and obstacles that urban education faces on a daily basis. Aside from working as a special-ed teacher, I had the fortune of meeting many bright students, who for socioeconomic reasons, could not afford to have a caliber education in a secure and inclusive environment. I felt compassion for these students and reflected on the education and opportunities that I received as student.
I was very excited to return to NDP as an employee at a time where diversity was commonly discussed around the building. NDP had just approved a diversity statement and was looking for ways to grow in the area of diversity. One of the ways that NDP planned to increase their diversity was through its Building Bridges program. I quickly learned about this program and thought it was a great opportunity for bright, diverse students whose families could not afford NDP’s tuition.
NDPMA continues to be committed to diversity and encourages the faculty and staff to make strides to address the needs of all students. A thought-provoking article, titled, “As Diversity Grows, So Must We,” by Gary R. Howard, gives five examples of how schools can tackle diversity, while having the school benefit as a whole. Although the article focuses on schools experiencing a rapid growth in the number of diverse students, NDPMA can still benefit from the following five phases: (1), building trust; (2), engaging personal culture; (3), confronting issues of social dominance and social justice; (4), transforming instructional practices; and (5), engaging the entire school community.
To find out more information about each phase, please refer to Howard’s article here.
As we move forward, let us remember our school diversity statement, “Notre Dame, guided by the spirit and teachings of the Catholic Church and Society of Mary, actively seeks students, families, faculty, staff, and trustees of diverse backgrounds who are committed to the formation of a community of inclusion that respects the dignity of every individual.”
Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." The Marist Fathers and Brothers sponsor NDPMA's Catholic identity and manages its educational program. Notre Dame is accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools, the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.