Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity and inclusivity strengthen our team, enrich our lives, and help us better serve our students with materials in which they not only see themselves reflected but also learn about diverse peoples, cultures, experiences, and perspectives. Our products support practices like Universal Design for Learning – where each learner’s unique learning journey is valued.

Executive Commitment

“At Imagine Learning, diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our mission and values. A diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and voices both enriches our work environment and enables us to create solutions that are responsive to the students we serve to deliver better results.”

Jonathan Grayer, Chairman & CEO

“Our belief in the power of every learner’s unique potential is what drives us. By prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion, we can create a future where each student is held to the highest expectations and provided equal opportunity to learn and grow.”

Sari Factor, Vice Chairman & Chief Strategy Officer

Our Curriculum Development Principles

We are committed to creating equitable educational experiences that help all students become academically successful, independent learners and that reflect the diversity of our users. These DEI principles form the foundation of all of our products.

Inclusion

Create products reflective of our users so that students see themselves, their family members, and their communities in the content.

  • Incorporate people, groups, and events that reflect the broad range of society.
  • Make a focused effort to include people and groups who have traditionally been less visible.
  • Ensure that this inclusion is shown throughout products and curricula rather than being relegated to specific units or lessons.

Representation

Show people and groups the way they want to be shown.

  • Ensure that names, cultural representations, and terminology are accurate.
  • Show a wide range of individuals in both traditional and non-traditional roles.
  • Ensure representation of diverse body types, ages, and abilities.
  • Show a variety of groups in positions of power, knowledge, and authority.

Perspective

Include a diversity of perspectives to create complete and accurate materials.

  • Include the experiences and viewpoints of all groups relevant to a topic or event.
  • Help students understand the contexts and impacts of what they are learning.
  • Let people and groups speak for themselves.

Accuracy

Create content that is fact-based and that encourages students to use their critical-thinking skills.

  • Present information — such as historical events, social movements, and scientific discoveries — objectively.
  • Don’t tell students what to think. Let them use their critical-thinking skills to draw conclusions and reflect as much as possible.
  • Remain free from instructional bias.

Leadership Initiative

“Each person’s life story is unique. As Imagine Learning grows, we want to foster conversations where we listen to each other’s stories and, as a result, develop empathy and insights into our colleagues we may not have had before. Our goal is for every employee to feel valued, seen, and heard.”

Tanesha Stephens, Project Manager & DEI Lead

“Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion means not only listening to diverse perspectives but also being willing to adjust our path forward. We can create more inclusive communities by embracing change both here at Imagine Learning and within the programs we create for our partners in education.”

Iván Alfaro, Vice President of Equity & Partnerships

Our Commitments in Action

We strive to create an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and a profound sense of belonging because we welcome their differences.

Employee-Led DEI Council

To ensure that we deliver on our commitment to inclusion, we draw upon the expertise of our DEI Council, an employee-led advisory group. Imagine Learning’s DEI Council is comprised of a diverse team of employees whose mission is to leverage our company’s diversity to inform a foundation of equity, to ensure the inclusion of our individual cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, and to foster a workplace that ignites and celebrates opportunities for our employees, educators, and learners.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of my job has been working as the Executive Sponsor for our DEI team,” says Adam Klaber, Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer. “I know that individually and collectively, we make Imagine Learning a more inclusive, welcoming, and supportive space which is important because together, we do our best work.”

Hear from Our Council Members

DEI Steering Committee

The DEI Steering Committee’s mission is to give all product teams the training, support, and guidance they need to implement DEI principles into all aspects of their work and to collaborate with other Imagine Learning teams to ensure that our educational products meet our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The work of the DEI Steering Committee includes:

  • Delivering training on DEI and on developing educational materials that align with those principles and guidelines.
  • Monitoring relevant state standards and legislation that relate to DEI topics and providing training and support.
  • Managing 3rd party reviewers to conduct internal audits and evaluation of published materials.
  • Consulting with product management stakeholders to ensure that DEI principles are integrated into product planning and development.

For Our Employees

Our DEI initiatives are applicable, but not limited, to our practices and policies and the ongoing development of a work environment that encourages:

  • Respectful communication and cooperation among all employees.
  • Teamwork and employee participation, encouraging the representation of all groups and employee perspectives.
  • Work/life balance through flexible work schedules and comprehensive well-being benefits to accommodate employees’ varying needs.
  • Employer and employee contributions to the communities we serve to promote a greater understanding and respect for diversity.
  • Professional development opportunities to facilitate ongoing focus and better understanding of best practices related to DEI.

Hear from Employees

“What excites me most is being a part of the conversation — where my ideas, my thoughts, and my approaches are heard. I’m excited about the opportunity to meet and foster connection with people in the company who share similar beliefs.”

⁠Jolinea Pegues, Professional Development Specialist

“I’m excited to represent people of diversity and those who have families with more complex needs like my own, and to use that lens to work with others to help create an inclusive workplace culture.”

⁠Lindsey Murdock, Virtual Instructor

“I want to be part of all of the conversations that will impact students of Indigenous backgrounds. If I can be a part of those conversations here at Imagine Learning, then I know that it will have a very long-term, trickle-down effect into all schools we can serve and reach.”

⁠Dezi Hendershot, National Programs Project Manager