Faculty Attend Group Training To Address Bias

Faculty and staff members of the Academy’s hiring committee convened in the Elting Room last Wednesday for the second anti-bias training this year, following the first session on campus hosted by the University of New Hampshire (UNH) on Jan. 4.While the Academy has hosted anti-bias trainings previously for faculty and staff, organized training had been absent, according to Assistant Principal Ronald Kim. In order to further develop hiring processes free of prejudiced tendencies, Principal Lisa MacFarlane decided to implement systematic training sessions this year.“Principal MacFarlane was curious about how we—as a school—hire, train, mentor and develop faculty and staff through the arch of their careers,” Kim said. “One element of that she asked about was anti-bias training.”

“As incredible as Exeter’s faculty is, it’s largely homogeneous in some ways.”

The first training included a theatrical performance of a faculty hiring scenario at a fictional university, which illustrated biases that can pervade the hiring processes in academic institutions. The training included breakout times for audience members to discuss the plot and components of the scenario and a question-and-answer session where faculty and staff interacted with characters of the performance.Director of Technology Services Diane Fandrich, who attended both the first and second trainings, said that she was impressed and intrigued by the staged performance.“I was skeptical at first about the description of the first session, but turns out I was wrong,” Fandrich said. “It was extremely well-done, engaging and thought provoking.”The second session—titled “Unconscious bias and how it applies to the hiring process”—was provided by Christine Savini, Founder and Principal Consultant of a consultant group that specializes in independent school education.“We used a case study of a hiring event that actually happened in an independent school with all the identifying characteristics changed, because it’s a real event with authentic quotes and authentic human dynamics,” Savini said. “That really engages anyone we work with.”Employees who attended the second training said that overall the traditional format of training was informative and helpful. Both faculty and staff commended the Academy’s decision to incorporate organized training and emphasized the importance of anti-bias training. Many noted their previously unrecognized biases.“Everyone has unconscious biases—they come from past experiences—where you were raised, what dialogue you heard growing up, what you saw on TV, in school, on the streets, etc. These experiences create preferences; many people tend to like, or lean toward, what they know because it is comfortable,” Fandrich said.Students and alums also commended the organization of anti-bias training.Graduate Jad Seligman ’15 said that within a largely homogenous school environment, students of color often have a hard time locating adults of color who can offer support and advice. As a mixed-race, Muslim student, he said that finding those he could connect to and trust was a challenge.“As incredible as Exeter’s faculty is, it’s largely homogeneous in some ways. For one, there’s just very few black faculty compared to white teachers. That makes it rough for a lot of students to find an adult to relate to on some important ideas,” Seligman said. “Therefore, helping to cut biases out of hiring is crucial.”Kim said that with two trainings complete, the Academy will host more sessions so that every employee who is part of a hiring committee will have attended at least one training.“I don’t know how many more trainings we will have, but we would like everyone involved in hiring on faculty and staff to have this training,” Kim said.Seligman commended the administration's initiative and said that Exeter should go beyond the training and strive to create a more diverse body of faculty and an environment hospitable to faculty of color.“The next step is making Exeter more accessible to long term faculty positions for minority teachers. I know the Exeter administration has their heart in the right place with that but I’ve heard numerous teachers articulate how difficult it is to be not white and raise a family in New Hampshire,” Seligman said. “[Bringing minority teachers to Exeter] will bring a new generation of teachers who not only are knowledgeable on their subject but possess a perspective that can help educate the majority and support the minority.”