Planting Seeds of Understanding

at Wells

For the last four years teachers at Well High School have been meeting monthly for dinner and a discussion of literature dealing with issues of diversity. Called "S.E.E.D.", this effort is part of a national movement--Seeking Equity in Education through Diversity--dedicated to increasing understanding and communication among educators about issues of diversity related to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual preference and disability. S.E.E.D. was introduced to Wells as part of the CLC initiative. English teacher Delois Tucker has lead the group since its inception; other teachers have served as co-leader for various lengths of time. The group has grown substantially over the four years. Now approximately 25% of the Wells faculty participates. Students, as well as teachers feel its impact.

Reading and discussing books such as Brain Sex by Anne Moir and David Jessel, Mexican Lives by Judith A. Hellman, and a special issue of the Harvard Education Review on "Violence and Youth" has allowed Wells teachers the opportunity for thoughtful dialogue about gender roles, racial and ethnic divisions, sexual preference including how to deal with gay and lesbian student issues, and economic and social distinctions. Over the four years a strong sense of community has developed among the teachers as they discuss their own experience and ideas as well as the ways they see these issues affecting their students.

"(SEED) reaffirms my belief that you can achieve diversity and also appreciate the universality of human experience."

-- a Wells teacher

The Wells S.E.E.D. group has lead to changes in student life as well. As a result of discussions of gender roles in adolescent experience, Delois Tucker and other S.E.E.D teachers organized"Seedlings", a group to nurture young girls. Like the teachers, the Seedlings group also reads and discusses books together.They have also organized mother/daughter activities, including overnights.

The choice of texts for English classes is also changing to include a more diverse range of authors. Delois Tucker is now teaching a new course entitled "Contemporary Literature" which includes writers such as Sandra Cisneros, Ernest Gaines and Toni Morrison. Titles written by Latino/a authors for young adults are widely used in Einglish classes. Many of these books are published by Arte Público through its imprint, Piñata Books.


Reading and discussing books such as Brain Sex by Anne Moir and David Jessel, Mexican Lives by Judith A. Hellman, and a special issue of the Harvard Education Review on "Violence and Youth" has allowed Wells teachers the opportunity for thoughtful dialogue about gender roles, racial and ethnic divisions, sexual preference including how to deal with gay and lesbian student issues, and economic and social distinctions. Over the four years a strong sense of community has developed among the teachers as they discuss their own experience and ideas as well as the ways they see these issues affecting their students.