ASTECCharter Schools

Andrea Fruit
High School Social Studies Teacher

Casey Rainbolt, M.Ed.
Headmaster

Question:  Schools should prepare scholars for a successful future, so why do they need to be concerned about the diversity of their future workforce?

Fruit: "Our world is becoming more diverse, the way we look, interact and behave; we cannot escape diversity in our future. According to the Census Bureau, in 2044 the U.S. population will have a "majority-minority" - where the number of individuals who are multiracial and racial and ethnic minorities exceeds those of whites. ASTEC believes scholars who are exposed to diverse faculty and peers are better equipped with the realistic skills needed to compete in the 21st century global economy. Research shows that diverse faculty contribute to academic achievement. ASTEC will highlight diversity, equity, and inclusion to produce scholars that are leaders within a diverse global workforce."

Question: How can we have a focus on diversity in financially competitive professions when there is a lack of gender and racial diversity among students in institutions of higher learning, and in certain parts of our state and nation?

Rainbolt: "Attracting diversity within the workplace is a priority with an emphasis on goals and inclusion to engage the school culture. Recognizing that representation matters through the promotion of education of opportunities within career pathways and higher learning opportunities for minorities and those of ethnic descent. A primary focus at ASTEC is placed on gender and diversity among our school climate through exposure to various careers, internships and scholarship opportunities across the state and nation. ASTEC is working toward building a pipeline of students to remove factors that have traditionally kept people of diversity from training and receiving an education in these fields."

Stephen Taylor
Elementary Co-Teacher

Angela Dormiani, M.A., NBCT,
Council Chair
High School Social Studies Teacher

Question: Maybe the pendulum has swung too far, and we are now discriminating against white males.

Taylor: "As a white male, I do not feel as though I am discriminated against in society. There is a misconception that companies are trying to fill minority quotas and that they are required by law to recruit a certain percentage of minorities who are not always the best candidate for the job. When I first encounter people, they see me as a white privileged male but nothing could be further from the truth. Throughout my career I have been discriminated against because of my socioeconomic background - I was brought up in the wrong zip code, turned down for promotions due to my religious beliefs and for my social activities outside of work - coaching an alternative lifestyle rugby club, but never because of the color of my skin. However, in education, I am the minority. A male working in elementary education is rare. A person's employment, social background, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or the color of your skin should not matter. Strong male role models are required to educate our students in order to enhance their ability to be successful in a global market."

Question: Does ASTEC teach Critical Race Theory?

Dormiani: "Critical Race Theory is a theoretical framework developed forty years ago by legal scholars, and has been taught as part of some college and university courses. Concepts from this theory are not part of any Oklahoma State Standards for any curriculum taught in the pre-K through twelfth grade subjects, therefore it is not part of ASTEC's curriculum. For lower grades, theoretical concepts are too complicated to teach young people in a way for learned discourse, and even in the upper-grades the ideas will often be too complex. As educators, our number one goal in a classroom-especially in history and other social studies subjects- is to analyze all sides and all voices involved in our standards, and to be able to discern biases. We, as educators at ASTEC Charter Schools, respect the views, cultures, races and ethnicities of all involved, especially of our students, their families, and our community."

Hasan Davis
ASTEC DEI Council Advisor

I help leaders to develop the next generation of young people. I create hope dealers. 

I inspire leaders to see themselves as pivotal change agents in the development of youth.

 I provide them with the tools they need to engage, encourage, and empower the youth in their communities.

 I do this by ensuring:


• young people have hope and resilience
• educators have the capacity to support and build resilience in young people
• organizations do their work in ways that children and youth are at the center and by living out their mission to serve kids

• Culturally Responsive Teaching & The Brain - Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students by Zaretta Hammond
• Written Off: How One Man's Journey Through Poverty, Disability and Delinquency is Transforming the Juvenile Justice System by Hasan Davis
• Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching and Learning - Classroom Practices for Student Success by Sharroky Hollie
• Culturally Responsive Teaching for Multilingual Learners: Tools for Equity by Sydney Snyder and Diane Stehr Fenner 
• Beyond the Surface of Restorative Practices: Building a Culture of Equity, Connection, and Healing by Marisol Rerucha
• Belonging Through a Culture of Dignity: The Keys to Successful Equity Implementation by Floyd Cobb
• The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein
• Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students by Zaretta L. Hammond
• Counseling the Culturally Diverse: Theory and Practice 8th Edition by Derald Wing Sue, David Sue, Helen A. Nevile, and Laura Smith
• Family Life Education with Diverse Populations by Sharon M Ballard and Alan Taylor, Jul 21, 2021
• Opening Doors to Diversity in Leadership, by Bobby Siu
• The Diversity and Inclusion Handbook, by Sondra Thiederman
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Trainers: Fostering DEI in the Workplace, by Maria Morukian
• The Diversity Gap: Where Good Intentions Meet True Cultural Change, by Bethaney Wilkinson
• Authentic Diversity: How to Change the Workplace for Good, by Michelle Silverthorn
• The Loudest Duck: Moving Beyond Diversity while Embracing Differences to Achieve Success at Work, by Laura A. Liswood
• How to Be an Inclusive Leader: Your Role in Creating Cultures of Belonging Where Everyone Can Thrive, by Jennifer Brown
• Inclusion: Diversity, The New Workplace & The Will To Change, by Jennifer Brown
• Diversity in the Workplace: Eye-Opening Interviews to Jumpstart Conversations about Identity, Privilege, and Bias, by Bärí A. William
• EEOC warns against caregiving discrimination as pandemic evolves by HR Dive
• Opinion: An inclusive society requires inclusive workplaces by HR Dive
• Jargon: It Creates a Wall Between Managers and Employees by SHRM

Other Resources

• "How to Start a Diversity & Inclusion Committee"
• University of Kansas: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Group
• "Awake to Woke to Work: Building a Race Equity Culture"
• Norman Public Schools Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy & Guideline
• National Society of Professional Engineers, DEI policy
• Demystifying Diversity - 4 pitfalls to avoid in building your DEI strategy
• Strengthen Your Diversity and Harassment Prevention Training Through a Combined Approach - DEI and Harassment and Discrimination Prevention Work Better Together