What does D.E.I.B look like in a preschool setting?
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Paddington Station
At Paddington Station, it is a cornerstone of our mission to engage the entire community in the ongoing work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (D.E.I.B.). We believe in an integrated approach that connects students, teachers, the board, and families at multiple levels.
Student and Teacher Engagement
D.E.I.B. is woven into the daily life of every classroom at Paddington Station. Students explore these values alongside social-emotional skills such as kindness, empathy, compassion, and acceptance. Our goal is for every child to feel seen, valued, and empowered to be their authentic self within the classroom community.
Inclusive and Reflective Classroom Practices
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Task Force: Facilitated by the Instructional Coach for Engagement and Belonging, the D.E.I.B. Task Force was established to reflect on and strengthen Paddington Station’s ongoing equity and inclusion practices. This volunteer committee of teachers and faculty works collaboratively to ensure that the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are connected to classroom learning. This task force explores everything from diversifying our literary collection to creating opportunities for shared discussion around classroom implementation. Together, we strive to build a school environment where every child, family, and educator experiences a genuine sense of identity, connection, and belonging.
New Teacher Seminar: All new teachers at Paddington Station participate in the New Teacher Seminar (NTS) - a yearlong exploration of the school’s mission, values, and teaching philosophy. As part of NTS, educators engage in discussions about anti-bias education and receive a copy of Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves by Julie Olsen Edwards and Louise Derman-Sparks a book that plays a vital role in our teaching practices.
Community Engagement
Examples of community engagement and belonging include:
Professional Development and Learning
Alongside the trainings led by Paddington staff and faculty, the school regularly collaborates with community partners and guest educators who offer workshops and discussions that enrich teaching and learning practices. These learning experiences have been offered to staff and also to the larger family community. In addition, a multitude of speaking engagements are offered as part of the Association of Colorado Independent Schools partnership.
Past partners and presenters include:
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Paddington Station
At Paddington Station, it is a cornerstone of our mission to engage the entire community in the ongoing work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (D.E.I.B.). We believe in an integrated approach that connects students, teachers, the board, and families at multiple levels.
Student and Teacher Engagement
D.E.I.B. is woven into the daily life of every classroom at Paddington Station. Students explore these values alongside social-emotional skills such as kindness, empathy, compassion, and acceptance. Our goal is for every child to feel seen, valued, and empowered to be their authentic self within the classroom community.
Inclusive and Reflective Classroom Practices
- Using inclusive language throughout the classroom
- Facilitating identity exploration activities
- Engaging students through the five senses
- Exploring varied family structures and dynamics
- Modeling respectful behavior, understanding of consent, and awareness of body boundaries
- Learning about cultural holidays, observances, and events
- Inviting families to share their cultural heritage and traditions
- Integrating service-learning projects
- Maintaining a robust social-emotional learning library
- Providing diverse and representative books in the school library
- Offering classroom materials that reflect diversity
- Encouraging dramatic play expression of all kinds
- Creating welcoming classroom celebrations
- Providing a variety of learning tools, fidgets, and supports for learners
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Task Force: Facilitated by the Instructional Coach for Engagement and Belonging, the D.E.I.B. Task Force was established to reflect on and strengthen Paddington Station’s ongoing equity and inclusion practices. This volunteer committee of teachers and faculty works collaboratively to ensure that the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are connected to classroom learning. This task force explores everything from diversifying our literary collection to creating opportunities for shared discussion around classroom implementation. Together, we strive to build a school environment where every child, family, and educator experiences a genuine sense of identity, connection, and belonging.
New Teacher Seminar: All new teachers at Paddington Station participate in the New Teacher Seminar (NTS) - a yearlong exploration of the school’s mission, values, and teaching philosophy. As part of NTS, educators engage in discussions about anti-bias education and receive a copy of Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves by Julie Olsen Edwards and Louise Derman-Sparks a book that plays a vital role in our teaching practices.
Community Engagement
Examples of community engagement and belonging include:
- Affinity groups: Paddington supports the Families of Students of Color Affinity Group. This group was founded by a group of interested families and meets almost monthly during the academic year to provide an avenue for families to discuss issues, wonderings, and questions that will help nurture an inclusive, supportive, and empowering environment for the students and families at Paddington. The group also hosts family meet-ups before the school year begins, and throughout the school year. Together both of these activities allow for spaces for just adults as well as gatherings with children across age levels.
- Home visit questionnaire: Families complete a Pre-Home Visit Questionnaire to share their backgrounds, traditions, and family dynamics. The insights help teachers and administrators build stronger relationships and create classroom environments that honor the diversity of the Paddington community.
- Yearly community service projects: Paddington Station demonstrates its commitment to community care through yearly service projects, including the Wagon Train Food Drive. This school wide initiative engages students, families, alumni, and community partners in addressing local food insecurity while fostering empathy and shared responsibility.
- Sustainability: Paddington Station promotes environmental stewardship through programs such as TerraCycle school-wide recycling, “junk treasure” STEAM building projects, and an annual community costume exchange. Additionally, Paddington added solar panels to the building in 2025. These initiatives encourage creativity, reuse, and collective care for the Earth’s resources.
Professional Development and Learning
Alongside the trainings led by Paddington staff and faculty, the school regularly collaborates with community partners and guest educators who offer workshops and discussions that enrich teaching and learning practices. These learning experiences have been offered to staff and also to the larger family community. In addition, a multitude of speaking engagements are offered as part of the Association of Colorado Independent Schools partnership.
Past partners and presenters include:
- Dr. Vanessa Santiago Schwartz
- Dr. Dorothy Shapland Rodriguez
- Dr. Charlie Buckley
- Big Little Feelings
- Gender Spectrum
- Thrive Autism
- Welcoming Schools
- Life Raft Parent Coaching
- Kari Knutson / KNUTSON SPEAKS
- WellPower
- Circle of Security
- Natalie Bowman, MS. CCC-SLP, CBIS
Land Acknowledgment
We acknowledge that the land at 1301 Quebec Street in Denver sits on the traditional and ancestral homelands of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Ute Peoples. We recognize these Indigenous communities as the original stewards of this land and honor their enduring connection to it. We pay respect to their elders past and present and to all Indigenous peoples who continue to live, work, and care for this region. We commit to learning from Indigenous histories and perspectives and to fostering respect, responsibility, and relationship with the land and its first peoples.
We acknowledge that the land at 1301 Quebec Street in Denver sits on the traditional and ancestral homelands of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Ute Peoples. We recognize these Indigenous communities as the original stewards of this land and honor their enduring connection to it. We pay respect to their elders past and present and to all Indigenous peoples who continue to live, work, and care for this region. We commit to learning from Indigenous histories and perspectives and to fostering respect, responsibility, and relationship with the land and its first peoples.
