Our Story & Mission
Our Story
Seattle-area NWAIS schools have varying levels of diversity and difference in our classrooms and employee pools. We know that individually, none of our schools have a critical mass of diverse identities and lived experiences, in either our employee or our student/family bodies. But together, in partnership, we can create important connection for our schools and be stronger as a regional independent school community.
Over time, the development of various regional programs deepened the relationships and collaborations across our schools. It became clear to us there is a need and hunger for equity-focused programming, community events, and networking opportunities for members of color in our schools; and POCIS Seattle was born.
– POCIS Seattle Steering Committee
Our Mission
POCIS Northwest
We strive to connect, empower and strengthen the BIPOC members of our schools and our regional independent school community by providing opportunities and programming for education, growth, and engagement.
POCIS Northwest offers our member schools resources and programming to support their DEI goals that enhance the student experience in learning, engagement, and connection.
Our aim is to:
- Promote dialogue among educators, students, and families of color in our schools
- Provide learning opportunities for our member schools’ broader communities
- Build community and belonging in our schools
- Help to attract more families of color to our member schools.
Our Values:
- We honor all people regardless of ability, gender expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, or age.
- We are open and transparent with each other at all times.
- We listen to understand, and are open to differing perspectives and ideas.
- We respect each other’s contributions without judgment.
- We consider intention and impact, understanding that impact matters and should be addressed.
- We are self-aware of what we represent, our positionality, and how we engage in our space.
- We honor confidentiality.
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