The Path Beyond Diversity: The Courage of Truth in the Urgency of Now
with Dr. Cindy Acker
The Path Beyond Diversity: The Courage of Truth in the Urgency of Now
The trajectory of the dehumanization of rights and social injustice has continued throughout history, merely changing forms, laws, and location. It is imperative for Montessorians to recognize the changing covert forms of dehumanizing rights and social injustice to prepare the child to be true changemakers of what we have not been able to change to date. We must also recognize that our work is far grander, deeper, and more challenging than the UN Rights of the Child. We must see beyond our work of a day, a week, or a year—to the new work of a lifetime that is before us: to be keepers of the rights of the human. Join Dr. Cindy Acker as we uncover the depth of our changing work regarding human rights and social justice in the Montessori environment.
Dr. Cindy Acker
Dr. Cindy Acker is a six-time award winner for her education and support of children, including LGBT families and diverse families. She is the founder of The Child Unique and The Montessori Elementary School of Alameda (MESA) and has served as the principal for over 30 years. MESA was featured on the PBS Newshour as one of two schools for its work building an equitable and diverse school curriculum. Dr. Acker was Montessori trained by Ursula Thrush, who was herself trained by Mario Montessori. She holds degrees in Education, Human Development and Culture & Spirituality, and she graduated from UC Berkeley with a doctorate in Educational Leadership. She is a public policy advisor for schools in California and an international keynote speaker specializing in social justice and racism issues. Her book “The Path Beyond Diversity: Making the truth of history and geography come alive for children through accurate stories, culture, and experiential learning,” can be accessed at The Path Beyond Diversity E-Book or The Path Beyond Diversity Spiral Bound. Apart from her passion for education, she is a singer and choir director in Novato, and a social justice playwright with a production being performed called, “Words That Made a Difference: Brown vs. Board of Education”. She is the mother of three adult children.