Widening the Lens 2026
The Far Brook School Diversity Conference
Welcome!
We are thrilled to announce our eleventh annual Widening the Lens diversity conference for NJ independent schools, to be held on Saturday, November 14th at Far Brook School!
Over the past ten years, Widening the Lens has represented a day for schools to come together to engage with one another on topics that are relevant and values that are central to our communities - diversity, inclusion, equity, community, and belonging.
This year, as we acknowledge and celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country's founding, we have chosen a theme that highlights our collective responsibility to uphold the tenets of democracy so beautifully written in our Constitution and Declaration of Independence. “WE the People: Preparing the Next Generation of Inclusive Thinkers and Leaders” provides a framework through which each school can reflect on the importance of prioritizing existing school values and the imperative of educating students to become engaged citizens and inclusive leaders.
Participants will end this day of dialogue, collaboration, and action planning reenergized to truly live out what we espouse - a promise to educate and nurture students who will have the knowledge, experience, and agency to thrive and to lead in our multicultural, pluralistic society.
We hope you will join us!
Key Note Speaker
We are pleased to welcome best-selling author, pundit, non-profit executive, and storyteller, Heather McGhee, as keynote speaker.
Heather McGhee designs and promotes solutions to inequality in America. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller, "The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together", which was adapted for young readers. In addition, she is the former president of Demos, a non-partisan think tank whose stated mission is to "power the movement for a just, inclusive, multiracial democracy."
McGhee holds a BA in American Studies from Yale University and a JD from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law. She has drafted legislation, testified before Congress, advised presidential candidates, and contributes regularly to news shows. We are thrilled to welcome her to Far Brook to share her research and expertise, and to inspire our conference dialogue and action planning.
Conference Structure
The unique structure of this conference follows the format of the Dalton School Diversity Conference (NYC), designed by Pollyanna Inc., a nonprofit devoted to increasing racial understanding. We invite schools to register a “pod” of individuals who will work together to advance the diversity and inclusion goals of their school. Each school pod consists of the Head of School, and two participants from each of seven constituencies:
- Administrators
- Alumni
- Diversity Practitioners
- Parents
- Students
- Teachers
- Trustees
Powerful learning and growth happen when we bring together this cross-section of voices and perspectives that exist within our own communities, and when we share our challenges, experiences, and best practices with colleagues from peer schools.
Learn More About the Far Brook Experience
![Two far brook students at a table working on a lego activity with the help of their teacher in a classroom.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760622526/farbrookorg/wgzsdtzq1axrd0e82vbo/ProgressiveEducationThumbnail.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760622526/farbrookorg/wgzsdtzq1axrd0e82vbo/ProgressiveEducationThumbnail.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760622526/farbrookorg/wgzsdtzq1axrd0e82vbo/ProgressiveEducationThumbnail.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1760622526/farbrookorg/wgzsdtzq1axrd0e82vbo/ProgressiveEducationThumbnail.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1760622526/farbrookorg/wgzsdtzq1axrd0e82vbo/ProgressiveEducationThumbnail.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1760622526/farbrookorg/wgzsdtzq1axrd0e82vbo/ProgressiveEducationThumbnail.jpg","width":2200}])
Centered on the child, progressive education encourages curiosity, hands-on learning, collaboration, an integrated curriculum, and a joyful learning environment.
![A Far Brook class during a dress rehearsal for a school play.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760531828/farbrookorg/ccpybvybc81mxa0t6mcs/admissions_thumbnail.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760531828/farbrookorg/ccpybvybc81mxa0t6mcs/admissions_thumbnail.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760531828/farbrookorg/ccpybvybc81mxa0t6mcs/admissions_thumbnail.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760531828/farbrookorg/ccpybvybc81mxa0t6mcs/admissions_thumbnail.jpg","width":1080}])
At Far Brook, our "why" is childhood.
![Two Nursery far brook students smiling for a photo while making dough for a baking class.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760532194/farbrookorg/dywykj6anypbs98tiwcp/CommunityThumbnail.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760532194/farbrookorg/dywykj6anypbs98tiwcp/CommunityThumbnail.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760532194/farbrookorg/dywykj6anypbs98tiwcp/CommunityThumbnail.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760532194/farbrookorg/dywykj6anypbs98tiwcp/CommunityThumbnail.jpg","width":1080}])
Community is the hallmark of the Far Brook experience, enriching our days with shared experience, support, and purpose.