How can we ensure our Suzuki School of Newton creates inclusive environments?
I believe that in order to achieve equity and diversity we need to promote, encourage and even subsidize Suzuki students from all backgrounds to participate in our Music and Preschool programs. We need to open our hearts and listen to each other. We can build respect and honor our differences by learning about each other.
Our Suzuki music and early childhood teachers represent our global population--and I am very mindful of how we must do our best to provide them with a living wage. This means that we also need to provide scholarships for low income families. Our Suzuki community has an important role to achieve greater impact by collaborating with the mission of the school. We rely on our community for their charitable giving and subsidizing teachers' professional development through additional training. The Suzuki School is a non-profit and we have set up funds for music, preschool and teacher subsidies. We want to ensure the quality of our students' learning through continued and comprehensive professional development by providing these opportunities for teachers. It appears that financial limitations are the most current and greatest barrier in our society, and we can actively make positive change.
I am an Asian American and I grew up in the Northeast USA in practically an all-white community. I understand the mixed experiences of those who have tried hard to assimilate, adapt and be accepted while at the same time being true to their own cultures. My parents spoke English as a second language and thus I have always been sensitive to the language, expressions and metaphors I use that may not be understood by a person speaking English as a second language. I believe that people interpret the Suzuki approach and Dr. Suzuki’s writings in different ways based upon their personal experiences with the Japanese culture. I also lived in Europe for ten years, and did my Suzuki training based upon the requirements of the European Suzuki Association prior to obtaining my Suzuki Association of the Americas status as a Suzuki teacher trainer. This global perspective has influenced how we teach using the Suzuki pedagogy here at the Suzuki School of Newton.
Being a graduate of New England Conservatory and Juilliard, I am comfortable in environments where excellence in music is expected and achieved. Having experienced Suzuki learning in various countries and in various modalities (short-term, Long-term, workshops, Kenyusei) I can ensure its rigor and excellence remain. But most of all, I believe we must all take steps to spread equity and inclusion in our behaviors.
At the Suzuki School of Newton, we have a great team of teachers, staff and families. Amy Tai and Alyssa Lawson are leading conversations on taking action against racism and encouraging the spirit of equity and inclusion among us. They are listening and inviting us to come together to tell our stories. Please join in on the conversation. You are an important part of our school's community, and we want to hear your story.
Sachiko
