Gabriel Lopez, MEd.
My journey working towards equity began more than 20 years ago. My first career was in social work where I practiced case management, resource referral, group facilitation, and more. In this field, I learned the value of building relationships with my clients in order to best meet their needs and also came to understand how important it is to be able to recognize the humanity in people. When I chose to move into education, I recognized many of the inequities that I faced in my own life as an immigrant student. I saw the impact these inequities had on students, their families, and colleagues and was proactive in developing culturally relevant pedagogy and advocating for the rights of minoritized students. After almost 10 years of being in the classroom, I decided to go into consulting where I helped individuals within education to engage in the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion. That path led me to find independent schools and in particular, Boulder Country Day School.
Engaging in the work of equity, inclusion, and social justice is nuanced; it is much more than race and requires that we constantly adjust the lens with which we view the world. I believe in moving in this work with a sense of grace and compassion; the same grace and compassion I appreciate when I make mistakes.
I invite you to engage in this work.
Sincerely,
Gabriel Lopez