The Kent School community recently saw the power of a child’s voice in action when Second Grader Lana recognized gender and racial disparity in a video presented by her Lower School Spanish teacher, Elizabeth Greenwell.

Greenwell shared an animated video with her students to learn a song in Spanish. After watching the video, Lana noted that there were two girls, one the only student of color, who were not singing at all while three males did. Lana did not see herself or children like her represented in the video and she told her teacher. Greenwell had previewed the video but did not make the same observation as her Second Grade student. Lana’s comments opened her teacher’s eyes.

Inspired by Lana’s specific request to email the curriculum provider, Greenwell expressed her dismay that a national curriculum would promote both gender and racial stereotypes through “subtle cues in your videos. I hope it was an oversight and that you re-record your videos to include female and black voices as well. Until then, I will not be using the curriculum as I feel it is unfair to my students.”

Recently, Greenwell learned that the provider did publish a revised video which included updates that included a more diverse group of individuals. That is the power of a small and mighty voice in action.

Greenwell said, “I adjusted by not showing this video again. I now feel confident showing it, as it represents all of our students. We ALL belong at Kent School and I am so incredibly proud of Lana for holding me, a white teacher, and a national curriculum accountable, and making sure what we teach and what she learns is representative of who she is. She is a future world changer!”

Head of School Nancy Mugele said, “I am grateful that Lana has the strength of of character to point out situations where there is a lack of belonging. Lana’s voice gives me hope that all students will be empowered to speak and act on behalf of themselves and others to foster belonging in all settings.