Staff Excursions Enhance Intercultural Awareness

At Beachwood Schools, our student body reflects a global community, with more than 30 languages spoken and families hailing from six continents. Promoting intercultural awareness is a key focus for our district. During the annual convocation, 300 staff members took part in excursions across Greater Cleveland to deepen their understanding of the diverse students and families in our community.

“The purpose of these excursions is for our staff to become more aware of different cultures and people,” says Kevin Houchins, director of equity and community engagement. “The more we understand others, the greater our ability to cultivate an inclusive school culture.”

Staff members traveled in small groups to various sites throughout Greater Cleveland. They learned about the experiences of people with disabilities at Dancing Wheels, Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center, and the Cleveland Sight Center. They explored cultural and ethnic diversity at Karamu House, AsiaTown, and the Shiva Vishnu Temple. They also visited the Rid-All Green Partnership and Edwin’s Leadership Restaurant & Institute to understand how these organizations are strengthening communities.

Video: Exploring Diversity

Discover how our staff are applying these experiences to foster a more inclusive and culturally responsive school environment.