Community Culture

A Letter from the Director of Community Culture

Dear St. Agnes Community,

The motto of St. Agnes Academy is Veritas, and the truth of our Catholic faith is that we are called to honor the dignity of every individual. Each one of us is crafted in God’s image, and we are all worthy of experiencing God’s unconditional love. Catholic Social Teaching promotes the dignity of the individual and our solidarity as one human family seeking peace and justice. St. Agnes models God’s unconditional love and Catholic Social Teaching through the expression of the Dominican pillars of Prayer, Study, Community, and Preaching in all we do, and the Office of Community Culture is an extension of this mission imperative.

I am proud to join the St. Agnes community as the Director of Community Culture as I believe my personal and professional experience has led me to serve in this capacity. I feel fortunate to have been born in Mexico City to a Mexican father and American mother and to have grown up between Mexico and the U.S. This allowed me to grow up bilingual, bicultural, and with a great deal of empathy. I am passionate about ensuring equitable access to a quality education to all students regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic circumstance, gender or sexual identity, and family educational background.

I appreciate the advantage of a girls’ school because I attended Ursuline Academy of Dallas which prepared me for success in my Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and subsequent Master of Science in Educational Leadership with a Catholic Leadership Certificate from Creighton University. My professional background includes social services in immigrant communities, Director of Cultural Competency for the Regional Behavioral Health Authority in Maricopa County, and 16 years in Catholic high school administration and teaching.

As Director of Community Culture, I serve as a member of the Principal’s Team, and I am responsible for oversight of the student Affinity Clubs including:

- Asian Student Union (ASU)
- Diversity Club
- Kaleidoscope
- Latin American Youth Association (LAYA)
- Voices of Black Youth (VOBY)

The 2022-2023 Goals for the Office of Community Culture include:

Provide support and training to students and faculty/staff to engage in supportive and respectful dialogue that celebrates our differences rather than dividing us.
Conduct a community culture needs assessment through faculty/staff, student, and family interviews to inform the next Community Culture Three-Year Plan.
Continue the work of reviewing curriculum and pedagogical practices so that all St. Agnes students can feel heard and seen in their classrooms.

I commit to promoting equitable and inclusive practices for St. Agnes Academy’s students, families, and faculty/staff. I am particularly interested in involving more parents representing diverse backgrounds and identities in St. Agnes community life. Please reach out at 713-219-5435 or monica.delacerda@st-agnes.org if interested in learning more.

Sincerely,

Monica de la Cerda

Community Culture Department

List of 1 members.

Monica de la Cerda

Director of Community Culture

(713) 219-5435

IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM PRIORITIES

Update Beloved Community, St. Agnes’ Community Culture Strategic Plan, to prepare for the next three years of promoting equitable practices for the entire St. Agnes community.
Mirroring St. Agnes’ robust student clubs, establish identity and social impact interest affinity groups to increase SAA faculty and staff sense of belonging.
Engage students in deliberate and detailed efforts to promote human dignity in all of our interactions.
Build a network of students, families, faculty/staff, and alumnae with extensive training and agency in creating an equitable and inclusive St. Agnes community.
Support hiring, training, and retention strategies that enhance a sense of belonging and of professional excellence.
Alongside the Office of the Academic Dean and the St. Agnes Faculty, strengthen the academic curriculum to be one where students see themselves while learning the critical skills that will help them fulfill our Dominican commitment to social justice.

LEARNING

St. Agnes faculty and students have opportunities for professional development on equity, inclusion, and community building.

NAIS PEOPLE OF COLOR CONFERENCE (POCC)

Every year, St. Agnes Academy sends faculty and staff to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) sponsored conference to engage with key topics around educating students of color and those from marginalized groups in an independent school.

NAIS STUDENT DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE (SDLC)

A group of St. Agnes Academy student leaders attend the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) sponsored conference to hone their leadership and advocacy skills.

THE MAIN IDEA FACULTY BOOK CLUB

Each month, St. Agnes faculty members gather to discuss The Main Idea subscription summaries of current education or leadership books. The books included are intended to enhance student learning and often focus on equity and inclusion.