Alex Baez, Chair of ISB’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee
In this Global Classroom post, Alex Baez highlights ISB’s annual Middle School DEIB Conference, Mosaic: Many Stories, One Community, where students in Grades 6 through 8 engaged in thoughtful, age-appropriate conversations about identity, empathy, and belonging. Through interactive workshops led by ISB educators and outside experts, the conference reflects ISB’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusion and preparing students to thrive in a diverse, interconnected world.
One Piece at a Time
On November 25th, the halls of the International School of Boston’s Middle School buzzed with curiosity, reflection, and more than a few “aha” moments as students in Grades 6 through 8 gathered for the annual Middle School DEIB Conference. Now in its third year, this growing tradition, aptly titled Mosaic: Many Stories, One Community, continues to shape how students understand themselves, one another, and the wider world.
The conference invited students to step outside their usual class schedule and into a day of exploration centered on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. From a menu of thoughtfully designed workshops, each student selected two to attend. Sessions were facilitated by a dynamic mix of ISB teachers and staff, alongside three outside experts who brought fresh perspectives and deep expertise. Together, these educators guided students through honest, age-appropriate, and deeply human conversations.
At ISB, our intentional focus on DEIB is an essential underpinning of the high-quality education we provide. We strive to ensure that all members of our community feel valued and experience a strong sense of belonging. We honor the diverse backgrounds, languages, identities, abilities, experiences, and perspectives that comprise our community, and we endeavor to develop empathy and prepare our students to thrive in the pluralistic world in which we live.
Placed Together
What made the day especially powerful was the range of entry points into DEIB learning. The workshops met students where they are, while gently stretching them further. In Story Circles, students sat face-to-face, sharing personal experiences using a UNESCO-designed practice that builds intercultural understanding. UNESCO, the United Nations agency focused on education, science, and culture worldwide, created this model to promote empathy, active listening, and intercultural understanding. In Understanding Intersecting Identities, students explored how race, gender, socioeconomic status, and other identities overlap and shape daily life, discovering that no one story stands alone.
Other sessions blended curiosity with courage. The Science of Skin Color used biology and experimentation to dismantle myths about race, while Brain Bugs and Bias helped students understand how the brain forms shortcuts and how awareness can interrupt them. In Neurodiversity & Anxiety: When My Superpower Becomes Overwhelming, students learned that differences in how our brains work are not weaknesses, and that asking for tools and support is a strength.
There was also joy and imagination throughout the day. Students explored global celebrations in Festivals Around the World, examined optimism and perspective through a French story in Be Positive, and reflected on influence and choice in Power & Influence: A Student’s Impact and Follow the Leader. Even superheroes entered the conversation, as Superman became a lens for examining how stories, and people, can stand up to hate in the real world.
Something Bigger Takes Shape
At its core, Mosaic reflects ISB’s mission to educate global citizens: young people who listen with empathy, think critically about the world around them, and recognize their responsibility to one another. The conference does not offer easy answers. Instead, it offers something far more lasting: a sense of belonging, a respect for difference, and the understanding that every student’s story matters.
As this young tradition continues to grow, one thing is clear. When students are given the space to share their stories and listen with intention, community strengthens. In a world that often feels divided, Mosaic reminds us that belonging does not happen by accident. It is built, conversation by conversation, story by story.
Many stories. One community. A mosaic in the truest sense, where every piece matters, and the whole is stronger because of it.
About the Author: Alex Baez is the Chair of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee at the International School of Boston. She has been a dedicated member of the school community for 17 years, serving in multiple roles that support students, faculty, and the broader mission of the school. Through this work, she helps foster a community where all students feel seen, supported, and valued.