We welcome Morgan Darby as the newest member of our leadership team. Morgan will enable the school to expand its existing work, as highlighted in the school’s vision statement: “developing confident, curious, compassionate, independent thinkers, respectful of diversity and grounded in faith.” We were excited to roll out the new strategic plan during the 2023-2024 school year, which included our first objective of continuing to reflect the diversity of the Smyrna community and maintaining a safe, healthy culture for all children. We want to thank Dr. Tiffany Russell, both a parent and the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Galloway School and previously St. Martin's Episcopal School, for her unwavering support of St. Benedict’s over the last decade as she worked in an advisory capacity with the leadership team on this work. We could not have attracted such an accomplished leader as Morgan Darby without Dr. Russell.
When we announced the need for a full-time director for our DEIB work, we never anticipated attracting someone of Morgan’s caliber. With her extensive experience in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging from independent schools in Atlanta, as well as her work with the former and current Atlanta mayor and organizations across the country, Morgan brings a unique and invaluable perspective to our school.
As Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), Morgan will support our values and culture by developing and implementing strategies that foster a diverse, inclusive faculty, student body, and parent community. Morgan will also collaborate with the Leadership Team and HR Director to collect data and develop strategies to achieve the diversity goals outlined in our five-year strategic plan (click here) and State of the School (click here). The Director of DEIB will work with the Head of School and the Leadership Team to ensure an atmosphere of belonging and understanding within the St. B’s community.
Faculty and staff will continue their professional development throughout the school year to maintain our school’s open and affirming culture. There will be educational opportunities for parents to learn more about these initiatives and to participate in various spaces, groups, and cultural celebrations. If diversity and belonging issues arise in the classroom, Morgan will facilitate discussions with parents, faculty, or administrators. Before Morgan's arrival, the school relied on external consultants to facilitate discussions when issues or concerns related to diversity arose.
We are thrilled to welcome Morgan and the Reed Darby family to the St. Benedict’s family. We eagerly anticipate the positive impact that this new position will have on our institution, enhancing and continuing the incredible work we have done over the past fifteen years.
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