We want to live in a more just, equitable, and caring world and believe that education has the ability to be a powerful tool for liberation. We seek to rethink and dismantle historically unfair and oppressive systems and then rebuild them so all learners can succeed and thrive. In order to advance the vision and practice of an inclusive, anti-racist education system, the Rennie Center internally and externally commits to promoting the following core values in everything we do:
- We commit to EQUITY & JUSTICE because together we strive to empower and support students, families, educators, and communities and work together to build a more equitable education system. We believe that all students, families, and communities deserve the best educational experiences and opportunities, and we fight for a future where our education systems will support that reality. We believe in the power of diverse perspectives in decision making, as no one person has all the answers to overcoming systemic inequities. Through our work, we strive to break down historic barriers that too often keep those most impacted by change out of decision-making spaces, especially those voices marginalized by a history of racism and oppression.
- We commit to the journey of LEARNING because together we can experience and share in a more interconnected world where better is possible. We believe that learning is a life-long adventure and every situation and interaction offers opportunities for growth. We believe that mistakes can lead to powerful new understandings and that failure is part of the journey towards success. We believe that the richest learning can emerge from genuine curiosity in any situation.
- We commit to leading with INTEGRITY because together we can forge a culture of honesty and transparency, both internally and externally, to achieve our most ambitious goals. We believe consistent follow-through, shared accountability, and clear ongoing communication will contribute to a culture of trust and lead to better outcomes for our team and those we serve.
- We commit to leaning in with EMPATHY because together we seek to understand and honor the complexity and humanity of each person. We strive to show up with compassion and consideration. We affirm each other's experiences by leaning in with curiosity and humility. We seek to recognize and honor the background and perspectives of each person, community, and organization we collaborate with and support.
- We commit to operating with BALANCE because together we take care of each other and our community. We recognize that physical, mental, and emotional health and wellbeing comes first. We believe in a culture of balance to ensure we show up as the best version of ourselves.
- We commit to honoring COMMUNITY because together we can achieve more. We believe that collaboration is critical to creating meaningful change. We strive to create spaces where authentic relationships can flourish and everyone feels a strong sense of belonging.
We strive to center equity and prompt anti-racist beliefs and practices in all aspects of our work, including but not limited to the topics we study, the organizations and communities we partner with and support, and the ideas and policies we develop and promote to achieve large-scale sustainable improvements in education.