Trenace and Darae Dorsey have been proud members of the IDEA Southeast College Preparatory community for almost a year. Go Stingers! Trenace Dorsey, a current IDEA Southeast parent, serves on IDEA Tarrant County’s Regional Advisory Board, and she is also an IDEA Family Advocacy team member. Darae, a 6th grader, is passionate about student council, volleyball and basketball. We sat down with Ms. Dorsey to discuss Black History Month and her reflections on IDEA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). To learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion at IDEA, click here. 

How long have you been a parent at IDEA?  

The 2021-2022 academic school year will be our first year at IDEA. Darae’s previous school district did not meet my standards. Our introduction to IDEA was a unique one. My mom and I were exiting a grocery store and saw the IDEA enrollment table as we exited. After speaking with the representative there, I added my contact information to the interest list. Soon after, I received a call from the campus principal, and we spoke for an hour. This kind of personal touch and communication meant a lot to me, but Darae and I were still not 100% sold on transferring to IDEA. After all, switching schools is a big step. 

Then, the final solidifying factor for me was when Darae’s former 5th grade teacher, Ms. Greene, called me. As fate would have it, Ms. Greene was also transferring to IDEA to become an educator at IDEA Southeast College Preparatory! This meant a lot to our family because Ms. Greene was a great teacher for Darae, who always kept in touch and fostered a great connection with Darae. Ms. Greene expressed to me that IDEA was a perfect fit for Darae. Since then, Ms. Greene has transitioned to become the assistant principal, and my daughter Darae has thrived as an IDEA student.  

What is your favorite thing about IDEA? 

I was lucky enough to be invited to a campus tour. In our tour, I was able to learn about the curriculum, the instructional coaching and the data-tracking process. Since then, I have participated in 2 or 3 tours, and they all have felt authentic.  

I also am honored to serve as a Regional Advisory Board & Family Advocacy team member. I commit to being a voice for parents and for students and am very proud that IDEA can depend and lean on me for input and support. 

As a parent, why is it important to champion Black History Month at home and at school? 

In our home, I share different content about Black history. It is about learning—learning about our culture, where we came from and why things are so powerful and meaningful to Black people and our community. Something unique that Darae says is that Black people come in different shades and colors. You are you, you are different, and you are beautiful. We celebrate each other, we celebrate history and we celebrate people.  

I believe that IDEA has helped Darae be proud of who she is, and that her school stays true to its DEI initiative (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion). IDEA recognizes all students regardless of culture, nationality, religion. All students have a voice. In sports, all students can participate regardless of their creed. No one feels less than. Everyone feels like family.  

I’m so glad to hear about the different ways students of all backgrounds can grow, belong and achieve. In the spirit of improvement, what is one thing IDEA can do to grow in its celebration and recognition of Black history? 

I believe that students should learn about Black history all year and then celebrate during Black History Month. So many positive influences would not exist if it were not for Black people, so many things we use daily that we do not give credit to Black inventors. Black history can be better taught, shared, and communicated with youth so that they understand and have a greater appreciation for it.  

I love that. I have seen the slogan “Black History Always,” used in this conversation of year-long learning, and I think those are great words to represent the work ahead of us. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk about Black history and your experience at IDEA. Is there anything else you’d like to add? 

Just that it is important for children to know their history. Know where your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents came from. Have those conversations with your families and learn about your personal history. Be excited about history. Even a little bit will take you a long way. If you know a little bit, then you already have a solid foundation.  

— 

IDEA Public Schools was founded on the radical belief in the unlimited potential of all students and has a long history of democratizing excellent education. In alignment with our DEI Commitment, we commit to being a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist organization, where we honor and include the voices, values, and beliefs of all our students, staff, alumni, families, and community members 

Be sure to stay tuned to IDEA’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages as we document the celebratory happenings occurring across our campuses, share the stories of our African American students, teachers, and leaders, and highlight what our scholars are learning in their classrooms.