Our work with Misson44 for EDI - Helen Shaw
Opening Doors: Our Journey Toward Greater Understanding of EDI in Teacher Training
When we talk about Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), it’s easy to think of it as a policy or a checklist. But for us at IFT, EDI has become a personal and professional journey - one that challenges us to reflect, rethink, and act.
Why This Matters
Representation in education is powerful. Teachers and leaders from diverse backgrounds bring perspectives that enrich classrooms, inspire students, and challenge systemic inequities. Yet, we know that individuals from global majority backgrounds remain underrepresented in teacher training and leadership roles.
The Mission 44 Project: A Springboard for Change
Our involvement in the Mission 44 project has been transformative. Working with our coach created a safe space where we could open our minds and doors to discussion, and action. It has given us the vehicle to start conversations around EDI - conversations that were sometimes challenging, but always necessary.
Through this process, we’ve:
- Looked inward and outward, questioning our own assumptions and institutional practices.
- Created a space for dialogue, where we both challenge and appreciate the views of others.
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Used tools like the wheel of power and privilege to understand how our own experiences - from childhood to professional life - shape the way we see the world.
From Reflection to Action
This journey has helped us explore concepts like equality, equity, justice, and inclusion, and apply them to real-world contexts:
- Supporting those who want to enter the teaching profession.
- Creating inclusive environments for trainees and early-career teachers.
- Building partnerships that amplify diverse voices within schools and communities.
Opening Doors for Others
The most powerful outcome of this work has been realising that change starts with us. By challenging our own thoughts and processes, we can begin to dismantle barriers and create pathways where talent and passion - not privilege - determine success.
This project has helped us understand, reflect, process, and act, and now, we hope to support others across our partnership to open doors too - because when we create spaces where everyone feels able and willing to contribute, we make positive change possible.