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Equity, Diversity, and Inclusiveness (EDI)

Equity, Diversity and Inclusiveness | 520-225-6067 | 1010 E Tenth St, Tucson, AZ 85719 | Map (google.com)

State of EDI Address
On April 29, the Equity, Diversity & Inclusiveness Department held the State of EDI Address for TUSD and community members. The event was meant to communicate the department’s achievements, outline future initiatives, and foster a sense of unity and commitment among all stakeholders towards advancing equity, diversity, and inclusiveness. After a brief opening, attendees were able to take part in roundtable discussions and listen to a panel discussion.
Tonya Strozier, Director of African American Student Services, points to notes in her binder
A group gathers around the Native American Student Services table for a roundtable discussion
The roundtable discussion groups in the ballroom
Two women watch the EDI Address
Roxanne Begay-James, Director of Native American Student Services, holds a discussion at her table
EDI News
Borton Students Write Book
A Borton 2nd grader poses with his teacher and the paper mache vaquita he createdPreviously the Puffin Room, this school year Borton Elementary Magnet School 2nd grade teacher Metta Franklin decided to have her classroom be the Vaquita Room. And the change proved to be inspirational to everyone.
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Heritage Day
The crowd of students cheers while holding up their arms and phones.Hundreds of students from multiple high schools from school districts across southern Arizona, including high schools from TUSD, came together at the Pima Community College West gymnasium to celebrate the 14th Annual African American Youth Heritage Day.
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Tip Top Event
A TUSD staff member holds up pieces of paper for students to see.The Asian Pacific and Refugee Student Services Department recently hosted the inaugural Tip Top Event, a welcoming event for new refugee families to Tucson Unified School District.
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About Us

Kinasha Brown
Assistant Superintendent

To serve our students and families to the highest potential, ensuring the learning, development, and academic success for every student.

We will achieve our mission by pursuing diversity through desegregation, integration, and equity of opportunity districtwide, and by eliminating the manifestations of racism, discrimination, and prejudice.

PREAMBLE

We, the members of the Department of Equity, Diversity and Inclusiveness, believe in promoting the learning, development, success, and well-being of each and every student in the TUSD.

We believe that to serve each student well requires respect of and responsiveness to the students, families, and communities we serve.

We believe in the positive contributions of desegregation and integration to student growth and success.

And, while these value statements are written to direct our work regarding students and families, we believe that they also apply to our work with one another within this department, with other departments and schools, and with families and communities.

MISSION

To serve our students and families to the highest potential, ensuring the learning, development, and academic success for every student.

We will achieve our mission by pursuing diversity through desegregation, integration, and equity of opportunity districtwide, and by eliminating the manifestations of racism, discrimination, and prejudice.

VISION

Anchoring our work in our core values, we will model, advocate, support and develop integrative systems of programs and practices to ensure equitable learning opportunities and school communities of care and support in which every TUSD student experiences a world class education and succeeds.

Core Values

Diversity. We believe in the inherent value and contributions of difference to the learning, development, and academic success of each and every student.

We believe that in differences of race, ethnicity, language, culture, faith, and perspectives exist strengths, assets, sources of support for student success and well-being. We believe that by pursuing diversity through desegregation; by recognizing, respecting, and responding to difference; and by promoting integration through inclusive and supportive school communities, we celebrate and employ the unique gifts we bring, as well as the gifts we share, to the benefit of all.

Equity. We believe that each student should be provided equitable opportunities for learning, development, and academic success.

We believe that these opportunities should vary according to their appropriateness and cultural relevance and responsiveness to each student. We believe that different educational pathways, approaches, and supports may be necessary for each student to thrive and succeed in school.

Excellence. We believe that each student’s success depends on the quality and effectiveness of equitable learning opportunities and on the commitment to serve students effectively each day.We believe in the inherent value and contributions of difference to the learning, development, and academic success of each and every student.

We believe that excellence proceeds from what is known from research and the professional wisdom of educators about effective, appropriate, and culturally relevant and responsive practice. It proceeds from the highest degree of effort to bring that knowledge of practice to life for each student. And it proceeds from understanding the authentic needs and interests of the students, families, and communities we serve.

Integrity. We believe that to serve each student successfully, we are called to act according to the highest moral and ethical standards.

We are called to act according to principles of right and wrong and to the ethical norms and values of our profession. We believe that integrity embodies honesty, trust, courage, respect, openness, and humility. Acting with integrity calls us to seek and promote the voice of others; to pursue equity, fairness, and justice; and to accept responsibility for the success of each and every student and family.

Innovation. We believe that continuous improvement is vital to striving for equity and excellence.

Equity-oriented continuous improvement is crucial for developing new programs and practices to challenge and support students; promote cultural relevance and responsiveness; and tailor learning opportunities to meet the ever-changing needs and interests of the students, families, and communities we serve. We believe that diversity and inclusion can be crucial sources of equity-oriented innovation and improvement.

Caring Community. We believe that each student’s success depends not only on high expectations and academic challenge but also on the social, emotional, and academic support of a caring school community.

A caring community cultivates positive relationships, shared commitments and mutual responsibility, and a sense of belonging among its diverse members. A caring community is characterized by attentiveness to, knowledge and understanding of, and motivation to address each member’s particular needs and interests and to help them reach their fullest potential. A caring community is defined by kindness, empathy, compassion, trust, and respect brought to life through competent action and interaction. It is a community that seeks, listens, hears, and responds to the voices of its members.

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