Fostering Equity and Inclusion at the Clerc Center and Gallaudet University: Three Perspectives

In February 2019, a counselor, a project manager, and a teacher from the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center were chosen as inclusive excellence ambassadors to the Gallaudet University Division of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. As inclusive excellence ambassadors, Lisa Montalvo, Taiyabah Naeem, and Lia Bengtson believe the division's motto that in diversity there is strength and beauty; and they are committed to strengthening diversity--with its strength and beauty--in the Gallaudet community. In this article, co-authors Montalvo, Naeem, and Bengtson each reflect on the ways in which they have been able to support deaf and hard of hearing students and allow others to see the importance of having diverse professionals in the school community. This article contains the following sections: (1) Helping Parents Trust the School More (Lisa Montalvo); (2) Taking Charge, Building Pride (Taiyabah Naeem); and (3) Teaching through a Social Justice Perspective (Lia Bengtson).