Equity, Diversity, Dignity and Inclusion - Because It Is All About the Students
by Cindy Finn, Director General
The following text contains material that was shared with over 600 students at the Rendez-Vous Jeunesse sur la democratie scolaire held on April 29, 2025 at the Centre Mont-Royal.
I’m proud to tell people that I am the Director General of the Lester B. Pearson School Board. I have spent more than two decades working in public education, dedicating my career to helping all students experience success. Before becoming Director General, I had the privilege of leading our Student Services Department. This department’s mission is grounded in the belief that inclusive education is not optional – it is essential for all students to thrive. Whether we are talking about academic success, student well-being or civic participation, inclusion is a value that we seek to put into action daily at the Lester B. Pearson School Board.
When I assumed the role of Director General, inclusion and student success remained at the heart of my work, but the scope of this mission has widened. I became responsible for facilitating and leading broader, system-wide initiatives that are anchored in this same belief: that every student should feel seen, accepted, and supported. When they are not, then it is up to the organization to adapt to their needs.
Each school board and service centre was asked to think of a specific message to share with student delegates present at the Rendez-Vous Jeunesse. For Lester B. Pearson, that theme is centred around the importance of inclusion, diversity and equity, something we refer to at our board as EDDI: Equity, Diversity, Dignity, and Inclusion. I would like to take a few moments to reflect on why these principles of equity, diversity and inclusion matter more than ever, and why dignity is at the heart of it all. Every learner—no matter their identity, background or circumstance—has tremendous worth and valuable contributions to make in their classroom, at their school and for society at large.
Inclusion is not just something we do; it is grounded in a belief that everyone belongs and that everyone is welcome in our educational community. Education is not just for those who raise their hands the fastest, speak the loudest, or earn the highest mark. Inclusive education means that all voices matter, especially the voices of those that have been traditionally left out, been misunderstood or have felt unsafe. And when we talk about equity and diversity, we are talking about building systems where differences are not devalued or even just tolerated; differences are to be expected, accepted and welcomed. We know that diverse perspectives lead to stronger ideas and that inclusive communities lead to better outcomes for everyone. Research studies abound with such conclusions.
Talking about diversity means including students of all sexual orientations, genders, abilities, races, ethnicities, and religions. Diversity means acknowledging identity in its various forms of expression. Inclusion means respecting these identities, removing barriers that restrict participation and limit opportunity, as well as ensuring that every learner feels respected and supported. In short, their voices need to be heard.
In our schools, that takes on different forms. On a daily basis, our staff members work to modify the learning environment to meet the multiple needs and realities of our students. We offer support services to assist with improving academic achievement and fostering social-emotional learning. It is also found in recognizing and celebrating cultural diversity, respecting differences, and using inclusive language. And sometimes, it just means taking the time to ask our students, “What do you need to feel safe and supported here?” and then acting on ways to make that a reality.
Our school board is made up of caring teachers, support staff, professionals, and administrators who work hard to promote inclusion and belonging. These are the people who show up every day in our schools to make sure that you, our students, are not just included, but are engaged and empowered to succeed. I see evidence of this when I visit schools and centres and witness the kindness and caring in the interactions between the students and adults entrusted to their care.
Creating welcoming and caring school climates provides unlimited opportunities for students to excel. This is why in our school board, we offer a wide variety of programs and pathways – be they enriched academics, workplace preparation, artistic and athletic programs, or vocational training to youth and adults alike. That is because success is not about a one-size-fits-all approach. It is about detecting and removing obstacles and creating the conditions for all students to find their path and walk it with confidence.
Earlier I mentioned student voice, and we believe that the student perspective is an essential ingredient to success. At Lester B. Pearson, our Central Students’ Committee regularly brings high school students together. The committee is co-chaired by two representatives who also serve as Student Commissioners and attend our monthly Council of Commissioner meetings. Our student commissioners are active contributors to school board governance; we welcome their input. This serves as a powerful reminder that inclusion does just mean making a space for others to share, it means seeking feedback and sharing power.
Students are the raison d’etre of any school board, and that is especially true at the Lester B. Pearson School Board. Student voice and student democracy become important vehicles to bring the principles of inclusion to life. This is important because inclusion is the oxygen that allows democracy to breathe and thrive. It is what turns participation into possibility. It is what allows everyone – not just some – to imagine a future where they belong and can contribute to building a better future.
The Lester B. Pearson School Board is committed to keeping issues of diversity, equity, dignity and inclusion at the forefront of the work we do. Visit our website to learn more about the ways we are working to address barriers, transform our system, and create learning and life experiences that benefit each and every learner we have the privilege to serve.
