Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Diversity, equity and inclusion has been a key component of our mission and philosophy since 1866, when the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet established St. Teresa’s Academy – a school for young women – near 12th & Main in downtown Kansas City. Nearly 150 students registered, representing American, French, Irish, German, Italian, Spanish and Native American populations.
St. Teresa’s Academy remains fully committed to a diverse school community. We believe recognizing each person’s authentic self and the multitude of differences that exist in our society creates a meaningful community built on mutual respect and dignity for all. To this end, we
- Approach education from a multicultural perspective, teaching students the value of including diverse voices within our classrooms and community.
- Cultivate young women to care for the underserved and excluded, to recognize the differences among us, and honor each person’s story so all are included and held dear.
Coming soon…
Involvement in student-led organizations at STA allow students to immerse themselves into the culture of our sisterhood and celebrate the differences among us. They include:
- GSA
- Interfaith Alliance Group
- Social Justice Club
- Stars for Women’s Rights
Joining a student affinity group is a perfect way for students to support diverse communities.
- Asian/Asian American Affinity Group
- Black Student Coalition
- Hispanic Affinity Group
We celebrate the diversity in our student body with cultural celebrations throughout the year.
- Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month
- Black History Month
- Hispanic Heritage Month
- Native American History Month
Students, faculty, and staff at St. Teresa’s Academy lead and participate in a wide variety of educational events, training, and hands-on experiences to continue to support STA’s mission to “love the dear neighbor without distinction.”
While everything that we do is guided by Catholic faith and social teaching, we appreciate and understand everyone practices faith and serves the dear neighbor uniquely. Campus Ministry provides a space for all faith traditions to come together in worship through service learning and service projects, participation in Mass, and so much more.
Parents are encouraged to participate in the Star Galaxy Committee. Star Galaxy’s goal is to help bridge the gap in communication between school and home, equip parents to embrace and support the mission of STA, and further promote love for the dear neighbor. Meetings are open to any parent who wishes to learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at STA, and share their own thoughts, experiences and perspectives about how we can all make a difference. A variety of topics are covered in our Star Galaxy Committee.
Professional Learning and Growth program is a cornerstone of achieving this mission. By providing our staff and faculty with opportunities for interdisciplinary growth, we are fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, inclusion, faith formation and a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of knowledge to support our Strategic Plan and Accreditation Standards.