DEI is Essential to the Educational Enterprise:
A Position Statement Issued Jointly by TNG Consulting, ATIXA, and NABITA
TNG’s mission is to enhance the holistic safety and well-being of individuals, schools, and organizations by empowering systems-level solutions to reduce the risk of violence, discrimination, and other harm. This mission has direct parallels between how we serve our clients and how we serve our employees.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) are more than words at TNG. We strive to create an equitable culture that increases opportunities at all levels of our company’s structure. We are committed to ensuring all team members know they belong at TNG and their input is valued. We embody the principles we teach our clients within our DEIB priorities.
Our DEIB Offerings
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Offerings
ADA/Section 504 Foundations for Higher Education
This course is designed to equip Title IX Coordinators and disability/access administrators with a thorough understanding of the disability laws that regulate an institution’s efforts to offer reasonable accommodations in postsecondary academic environments. Participants will gain knowledge about the legal frameworks that apply to institutional recipients of federal funding, principles for determining reasonable accommodations, strategies for implementing the process in higher education, the grievance process, best practices in organizational structure, and how the accommodation process can support individuals during pregnancy and related conditions.
Review Upcoming OfferingsDiversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Offerings
Intersections with ADA, Section 504, and IDEA, for K-12 Education
This course is designed to comprehensively introduce the interaction and intersection between disability laws and Title IX compliance and processes. It is aimed at K-12 Title IX Coordinators, disability/access administrators, and other professionals who need to understand the essential disability laws that relate to Tit le IX regarding student discipline, accommodations, and adjustments. The course covers the elements required for a well-developed accommodations process and the necessary grievance procedures. It then takes a deep dive into the unique and multi-faceted aspects of how Title IX processes, such as supportive measures, emergency removals, determinations, and sanctioning, may need to interface for students with disabilities.
Review Upcoming OfferingsDiversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Offerings
Collaboration and Support: Addressing the Intersection of BIT, Conduct, and Disability Support Workshop
Given the shared goals of student development, access, support, accountability, and community safety, it is not surprising that behavioral intervention teams (BITs), student conduct, and disability support often address overlapping concerns. This overlap emphasizes the need for discussion and planning on how these areas intersect, especially regarding student behavior and conduct, hospitalizations, and returning from a leave of absence. This workshop will assist institutions in developing approaches that align with best practices and provide adequate support to students.
Review Upcoming OfferingsATIXA’s DEIB Community of Practice
ATIXA membership is an investment in professional excellence. It signals a commitment to best practices for advancing gender equity within schools and colleges. ATIXA’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Community of Practice expands that commitment by considering best practices for advancing more than just gender equity within schools and colleges.
Purpose
The DEIB Community of Practice aims to establish, promote, and maintain a learning and employment environment that advances diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in colleges, universities, and K-12 districts.
Goals
- To establish DEIB-specific resources that can advance equity from an intersectional lens
- To strategically incorporate DEIB into ATIXA’s products and services
- To assess campus and K-12 environments on attitudes, perceptions, symbols, and institutional practices related to DEIB
- To assist in educating and assisting faculty, teachers, staff, and administrators in their efforts to embed DEIB into the curriculum and co-curriculum
Membership Criteria
Membership into ATIXA’s DEIB Community of Practice requires an ATIXA membership at any level. To remain active on the DEIB Community of Practice, members must:
- Maintain an active ATIXA membership
- Must regularly attend the Community of Practice’s monthly meetings
How to Join
If you are interested in joining ATIXA’s DEIB Community of Practice, contact Jessica Harris, ATIXA Senior Program Coordinator at jessica.harris@atixa.org
NABITA’s DEIB Community of Practice
Purpose
The DEIB Community of Practice aims to establish, promote, and maintain a learning and employment environment that advances diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in colleges, universities, and K-12 districts.
Goals
- Provide a knowledge community for NABITA members interested in DEIB.
- Develop knowledge content and member content experts, to aid NABITA in remaining relevant in their field and represent the membership needs.
- Inform and advise NABITA leadership, membership, and committees about relevant and appropriate issues promptly.
- Fulfill the goals outlined by NABITA Leadership in conjunction with TNG
Membership Criteria
Membership in NABITA’s DEIB Community of Practice requires a NABITA membership at any level. To remain active on the DEIB Community of Practice, members must:
- Maintain an active NABITA membership
- Must regularly attend the Community of Practice’s monthly meetings
How to Join
If you are interested in NABITA DEIB initiatives and are available to meet virtually once per month, please consider joining our community of practice. Please reach out to members@nabita.org if you are interested in joining!
TNG Consulting’s DEIB Committee
| Aaron L. Austin, Ed.D. Consultant, TNG |
Kevin Hesser Program Coordinator, ATIXA |
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|---|---|---|
| Patience Bartunek, M.Ed. Chief of Staff to the Managing Partner, TNG |
Alisha Carter Harris, M.S. Senior Consultant, TNG |
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| Megan Birster Vice President, Strategic Development, TNG |
Michelle Issadore, M.Ed., CAE Chief Operating Officer, TNG |
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| Sharon Perry Fantini, Ph.D. Partner, TNG |
Emily Sabalbaro Content Marketing Manager, TNG |
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| Courtney Grisillo, SHRM-CP Human Resources Manager, TNG |
Brett A. Sokolow, J.D. Chair: TNG Board of Directors; TNG Management Committee; ATIXA Advisory Board |
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| Mandy Hambleton, M.S. Senior Director, Content Development, TNG; Vice President, ATIXA |
Saundra K. Schuster, M.S., J.D. Partner, TNG; President, ATIXA |