Our Equity Statement

From its early days, Guitars in the Classroom (GITC) has dedicated its efforts to advancing teacher and student learning and well-being by providing free teacher training in cross-curricular, integrated, hands-on music. We serve teachers and their students in Title I schools serving racially, economically and culturally diverse communities, bringing to light the strengths, traditions, and creative contributions of BIPOC community members and artists. GITC provides this training along with access to instruments and supplies to program participants in classrooms from coast to coast, reaching hundreds of thousands of students at promise, students of color, students whose first language is other than English, students with diverse sexual and gender identities, students with exceptionalities, and students who have arrived in this country as immigrants and refugees. GITC’s student-centered approach cultivates a culture of kindness, inclusivity, creativity, resilience, grit and artistry everywhere we serve.

GITC’s approach to consensus building, collaborative problem solving and decision making is founded on principles of respect, empathy and practices of active, non judgemental listening. We intentionally create communities throughout our organization in which individuals feel safe to express their experiences and opinions, allowing those who have been negatively impacted by implicit bias and structural racism to openly speak their truth. Our diverse Board of Directors takes special care to assure that this is happening at the highest levels of our leadership. Their commitment is reflected throughout the organization, including our faculty members and teaching artists who integrate this approach in their own learning circles.
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We are enthusiastic participants in the movement to create an inclusive and caring society that embraces and celebrates all of humanity. Guitars in the Classroom is committed to honoring the gifts, experiences, traditions and wisdoms that each person who participates in our work brings to this ever-expanding circle of music, creativity and learning.