Saint David's Magazine BOYS Vol 33 No 1 | Page 52

A R O U N D C A M P U S Dr. Derrick Gay Leads Inclusivity Workshops in Year Three of Partnership This is the third year of Saint David’s partnership with Dr. Derrick Gay, an internationally recognized consultant on issues of global citizenship, diversity, and inclusion. Dr. Gay has been guiding Saint David’s in the school’s initiative to cultivate cultural competency and to be an increasingly inclusive community. Dr. Gay’s work this year began with a workshop for our parent community. This was followed by two days during which he visited classes throughout the Lower and Upper School focusing on cultivating friendship, empathy, kindness, and moral courage; and on the dangers of stereotyping. With the school’s youngest boys, he shared the picture book Pink Is for Boys, which debunks stereotypical thinking around gender. Dr. Gay also led a workshop with the faculty and staff on Cultivating Moral Courage in Boys, which included discussions about stereotypes, the ways students often use jokes to perpetuate them, and how the impact of one’s actions is more important than the intent. He returned in January to conduct sessions on microaggressions. “These have been fruitful sessions for all—parents, boys, faculty and staff,” said Dr. O’Halloran. “Accepting and appreciating differences, and tapping into our moral courage in challenging situations are two important avenues toward fulfilling our mission’s call ‘that they be good men.’ ” 52  •  Saint David’s Magazine