Child Development Department conference discusses DEI

Professors lead the charge in maintaining inclusivity in the classroom in the midst of the attack on diversity, equity and inclusion.

By: Bruna de Mello, Valley Life Editor

Professor La Tanga Hardy speaks during Child Department Conference. (Bruna de Mello for the Valley Star)

Members of the Child Development Department discussed advocacy, anti-bias curriculum and play within the classroom during a free conference on "Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Using an Anti-Bias Lens" on campus.

The event featured four sessions led by professors from the Child Development Center: La Tanga Hardy, Carolina Mendez, Elmida Baghdaserians and Tracey Baca. While each professor focused on a different aspect of child development, the sessions were unified by a common goal—ensuring equal opportunities and access to high-quality learning experiences for all children, regardless of their background or circumstances.

“We’ve got to prioritize being inclusive and an anti-bias practice,” said Hardy. “We've got to recognize and nurture individual gifts because each person, each child… now comes to the class with different gifts.”

One in-person conference takes place every semester, with mental health and the importance of play being the focus of years past.

“It seemed like very good timing for us to promote what we all as educators feel is really important in teaching and learning this year,” Elmida said. 

During the presentations, attendees were encouraged to interact with different teaching materials. DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) was a key mention throughout each speech, connecting the need for the education system to represent all children in the classroom.

Since President Donald Trump took office in January, DEI programs have become a primary target of his administration. The White House has issued statements labeling them as “illegal and immoral discrimination programs,” and has threatened to cut federal funding from schools that continue to support them. The U.S. Department of Education has given states until April 24 to comply with the directive. However, California has refused to certify that its school districts have eliminated DEI from their curricula, with the California Department of Education (CDE) defending the legality of the programs’ efforts and standing by its commitment to inclusive education.

“A lot of people are afraid and we have to just go back to our basics,” said Hardy. “Are we doing right by children? Are we doing what's in the best interests of children?” 

Hardy added that Head Start programs around the country are being closed, including offices in San Francisco, Chicago, New York and Seattle.

Head Start was launched in 1965 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty,” aiming to provide child care and preschool education to low-income families. The program was designed to give disadvantaged children a true “head start” by equipping them with the same foundational skills and access to resources, such as books and educational games.

According to Teaching for Change, a non-profit organization focused on building social justice in the classroom, anti-bias curriculum is an approach to early childhood education that supports respecting and embracing differences and acting against unfairness. The goal is creating a climate of positive self and group identity development, through which every child will achieve their fullest potential.

Mendez commented that while working in education does get uncomfortable, it is really important. She said it's never too late to do anti-racist work and educators should tell parents to talk to their kids about racism, or invite the parents to the classroom and talk about racism. She continued saying that it is crucial to encourage conversation, because the only way that racism can be dealt with is through openness.

“When we talk about the importance of belonging, the importance of having equitable, accessible classrooms and learning environments, it's all part of the DEI, right?” said Elmida Baghdaserians, the chair and professor of the Child Development Department. “Diversity, equity, inclusion. Because our sense of self is built from knowing that we belong somewhere. And if we don't have that belonging, then why would I feel safe and comfortable to learn in an environment?” 

The Valley professor of 25 years added that she strongly believes in the need to fight for DEI to remain in educational settings.

“To support education right now people can continue to read, advocate and attend events like this, where we are promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,” Dr. Baghdaserians said. “Help our families, help our schools and teachers continue to do this important work, because I believe that if enough of us stand up for what is right, then we can continue to have these practices in our schools.”