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Pathways: Community & Belonging

The work of building cohesive communities comes under many different names—diversity and inclusion, equity and justice, or community and belonging, just to name a few. Episcopal schools lean on their shared Episcopal identity as they weave together the common thread of each of these terms: striving to make schools that are truly welcoming of everyone.

Here are some resources to support your work.

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Recent Webinars for Community & Belonging

Faith in Action: Strengthening Civic Engagement in Episcopal School Communities (Webinar)

Civic engagement as individuals and institutions plays a foundational role in our society and common life together. Watch this program to explore two fundamental dynamics that can help us lean into our responsibilities for civic engagement and navigate this topic during this moment in our country.

The Three C’s Framework—Affirming the Episcopal Model of School Leadership (Webinar)

In an increasingly complex world, leaders in Episcopal schools—of all faith backgrounds—are called to guide their communities with a deep sense of purpose and compassion that embraces the dignity of each community member. The Three C’s Framework offers a faith-centered leadership model that is anchored by the Baptismal COVENANT, modeled after CHRIST, and oriented towards COMMUNITY. This webinar presents a model of Episcopal school leadership that both affirms and strengthens the great work already happening in schools while offering a faith-based strategy to build mission-aligned, inclusive, and Christ-centered communities where all are valued.

Building Capacity to Engage Across Difference (Webinar)

We may be familiar with the term civil discourse, but how much do we understand about how to use it as an individual, how to build a community culture for engagement or even its limitations? Join this introductory program to learn more about capacity building for civil discourse and how conversation to enhance our understanding can build our ability to engage across difference, leverage our diversity, and tackle community challenges.

Episcopal Identity and DEIJ—Community Cultural Wealth (Webinar)

This workshop will explore Dr. Tara Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth Model as a framework for embracing the unique spiritual assets of students and families of color in the context of our Episcopal identity. We will discuss how we can transform our practice in ways that welcome students’ whole selves and actively honor diverse ways of knowing and learning about God and our spiritual selves. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own cultural spiritual practices and religious experiences; brainstorm ways to incorporate practices that actively promote inclusive, asset-based spiritual teaching and learning experiences; and build their capacity to design inclusive spiritual experiences through the lens of Episcopal identity.

Maintaining Community Amid Conflict (Webinar)

Local, national, and global issues, including the upcoming presidential election, can impact our schools in significant ways and can cause harm to a school’s community. Join your colleagues and an education law attorney to learn more about how to foster a sense of community by connecting your school’s Episcopal identity and civil discourse as well as crafting civil discourse policies for students and employees.

Case Study: How EI Drives Strategic Leadership and DEIJ&B Initiatives (Webinar)

Episcopal schools have the unique opportunity to direct these initiatives from a faith-based mission grounded in the Baptismal Covenant. We will present how one Episcopal school has approached this strategic work by aligning governance, the Head of School, the Office of the Chaplains, and the DEI practitioners to make sustainable progress centered on human dignity.

From DEI to CEB in a Faith-Based School (Webinar)

In a recent zoom chat, Yerko Sepulveda, Director of Community Engagement and Belonging at Porter-Gaud School in Charleston, SC explains the importance of having an intentional, research-based, and systemic approach to DEI initiatives that are grounded in Episcopal identity and and why schools may consider adopting a mindset of Community Engagement & Belonging.

DIGNITY: Seven Strategies to Live into our Mission as Episcopal Schools and See Our Communities Thrive! (Webinar)

“Will you respect the dignity of every human being?” Dr. Wright uses this question from our Baptismal Covenant as a launching pad for a larger discussion about how Episcopal schools live into their missions and how we as institutions strive to narrow the gap between what we aspire to and our current realities. Join us for this robust conversation about reintroducing DIGNITY, both as a fundamental core of Episcopal identity and as a transformative lens with seven strategies to create and navigate authentic communities.

SAES & NAES: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in Episcopal Schools (Webinar)

Diversity, equity, and inclusion is at the core of who we are as Episcopal schools. Join Rob Devlin and Mary Katherine Duffy from SAES, alongside David Madison and Monica Gillespie from NAES, in this important conversation about how we continue the work of DEI in schools of all shapes and sizes.
MORE WEBINAR RECORDINGS

Latest Articles for Community & Belonging

NAES Guidance on Accepting Public Funding for Private School Tuition

As Episcopal schools, we are committed to creating communities that welcome, affirm, and sustain students and families from diverse backgrounds. As schools discern their paths forward, this resource offers guidance to heads of school, trustees, and other leaders in making thoughtful, mission-driven decisions. The article also includes a sample board agenda and a simple breakdown of key opportunities and challenges.

The Three C’s Framework: A Leadership Model for Episcopal Schools Anchored in Faith and Community

In an increasingly complex and diverse world, leaders in Episcopal schools are called to guide their communities with a deep sense of purpose, compassion, and inclusivity. “The Three C’s Framework” offers a comprehensive leadership model that is deeply rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus and designed to foster a sense of belonging and communal well-being within Episcopal Schools. The framework is anchored by the Baptismal Covenant, a central tenet of the Episcopal School tradition that emphasizes the love of God revealed to us in Jesus Christ and the image of God inherent in every person. This framework positions Christ as the ultimate model of leadership—one that establishes a community marked by sacrificial love, service to others, and a commitment to justice and peace.

NAES Culture and Climate Survey for Administrators, Faculty, and Staff

The NAES Culture and Climate Survey for Administrators, Faculty, and Staff is one of the resources developed by NAES in response to member schools requesting tools to support their efforts to strengthen and sustain their Episcopal identity and commitment to inclusion. This survey is designed to be one element of your school’s ongoing reflective process by providing data from administrators, faculty, and staff about how Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice exist in the school’s programs and practices and the respondents’ experiences.

An Investigation of Support Resources for Heads of Color to Promote Well-Being, Persistence, and Retention

This research delves into the experiences of heads of color in independent schools, uncovering the factors that support and hinder their success. By examining the unique challenges and triumphs at NAES member institutions, the study reveals how shared values can positively impact their leadership journeys. Key findings emphasize the critical need for holistic board training, robust support networks for educators of color, and targeted strategies for recruitment, transition, and integration of new leaders. These insights offer valuable guidance for schools and organizations seeking to create more inclusive and supportive environments that empower heads to thrive and lead with impact.

NAES Statement on Inclusion and Episcopal Identity

As the past months have clearly shown us, Episcopal schools need support in their efforts to grow as communities committed to the work of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice, and to be able to…

DEI and Episcopal Identity…A Partnership Worth Having

Episcopal Identity and DEI work should go hand in hand, together 24/7 and every day of the school year. Taking time to develop a relationship between the person(s) responsible for maintaining our Episcopal identity AND the person(s) responsible for ensuring we are equitable and inclusive is the only way towards justice.

Episcopal Diocese of Haiti Partnership Program Official Guidelines

These guidelines, as prepared by The Rev. Dr. Kesner Ajax, Coordinator of the Partnership Program for the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, are a series of best practices for schools and churches in North…

Book & Video Series: Making Room for Everyone

For ages 3-11. Working with the same overall themes of his first book, Building a Children’s Chapel: One Story at a Time, Bill Gordh presents a wide range of folktales from around the world, stories…

A Litany for Protests

A new litany written by The Rev. Nathan L. Bostian, chaplain at TMI Episcopal in San Antonio, TX.
MORE RESOURCES

Upcoming Events for Community & Belonging

Episcopal Identity: Equity and Justice Conference

February 10–13, 2026
Equal Justice Initiative
Montgomery, AL

Explore our work in Episcopal schools through the lens of Micah 6:8 and the baptismal covenant.

Reimagining Episcopal School Boards for Equity and Inclusion

February 18, 2026
Zoom Meeting

This webinar introduces the Culturally Affirming Independent School Board Governance framework.

Leading with Dignity: Foster Inclusive Classrooms

March 25, 2026
Zoom Meeting

Examine approaches for educating students with a range of learning styles and abilities.

AI in Our Schools: Research, Ethics, and Strategy for the Road Ahead

April 15, 2026
Zoom Meeting

Take a close look at AI considerations for Episcopal schools.

Biennial Conference 2026

November 18–20, 2026
JW Marriott L.A. LIVE
Los Angeles, CA

The premiere nationwide gathering of Episcopal educators.

Join the Online Community

The NAES Online Community is the best way for members to connect and collaborate. Get started with the Online Community today by creating a profile or signing in to your NAES account.

VISIT THE COMMUNITY

Top Products for Community & Belonging

  • About Episcopal Schools, 2nd Ed.

    This full color poster and pamphlet, newly updated and revised in 2022, examines the key characteristics common to all Episcopal schools, including aspects of Episcopal identity, faith-life, chapel, moral development, academic excellence, and social justice.

    This publication is pamphlet-sized, but can be unfolded and used as a poster. Perfect for use in admission and development information kits, as a faculty/staff training resource or as a general information tool. Available only to members and affiliate members.

    This product is exclusively for NAES members. Log in to place an order for this item.

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Connect with NAES

We’re here for you! To learn more about how NAES supports your school, contact Claire Leheny, NAES Director of Engagement, by calling (212) 716-6135 or by emailing claire@episcopalschools.org.

EMAIL CLAIRE

More Resources for Community & Belonging

Culture and Climate Dashboarding Tool
NAES Statement on Inclusion and Episcopal Identity
Principles of Good Practice for Equity and Justice in Episcopal Schools