SJM supports TRHT stand on District Training
SJM supports this initiative:
The Scotch Plains Fanwood Joint Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Committee (TRHT) firmly supports our school district’s upcoming anti-bias training program for administrators and educators. TRHT is made up of officials from Scotch Plains, Fanwood, the Board of Education, Scotch Plains-Fanwood Ministerium and Social Justice Matters Inc., as well as the SPF Schools Superintendent, TRHT Center at Rutgers University Newark and members of the public. Following the Listening Tour from summer 2020, TRHT supports the community’s call for this type of program.
The initiative will be led by the distinguished Dr. Khyati Y. Joshi, a professor of education at Fairleigh Dickinson University. She has expertly guided school districts, independent schools, the judiciary, non-profit organizations, faith communities, and businesses, including Fortune 500 companies, in fostering equity and inclusion for more than 20 years. She also is co-founder of the Institute for Teaching Diversity and Social Justice, which trains educators and administrators. Dr. Joshi is also familiar with Fanwood and Scotch Plains, having led several programs in partnership with Social Justice Matters during the past several years.
As the Board of Education so aptly describes the program, our educational professionals “will come to understand the institutional and societal barriers that impact the education experience of many students due to the presence of racial, religious, class, gender, and sexual orientation/gender identity biases.” The training is only one step in the process of achieving the school district’s goal of an inclusive, cohesive education community that is
better equipped to address issues of bias. This is particularly important at this time in our community and nation.
Joel Abraham, Rabbi, Temple Sholom, Scotch Plains/Fanwood Ministerium Erin McElroy Barker, Councilwoman, Borough of Fanwood
Jill Jackson-Jones, Board Member, Social Justice Matters
Josh Losardo, Mayor, Township of Scotch Plains
Colleen Mahr, Mayor, Borough of Fanwood
Joan Mast, Superintendent, Scotch Plains Fanwood Schools
Leland McGee, Vice-President, Social Justice Matters
Joan Peters, President, Social Justice Matters
Sharon Stroye, Director TRHT Center, Rutgers University-Newark
Stephanie Suriani, SPF Board of Education Member, Scotch Plains
Shawn Wallace, Pastor, St. John’s Baptist Church, Scotch Plains/Fanwood Ministerium Roshan White, Councilman, Township of Scotch Plains
Amy Winkler, SPF Board of Education Member, Fanwood