Erica Pernell

Erica Pernell is an educator, consultant, speaker, storyteller and organizer based in the greater Boston area. Erica is passionate about working with schools and organizations seeking to create more equity, justice and inclusion by making strategic and lasting shifts. Erica has worked in education for over 15 years as a teacher, program director, advisor, coach, and administrator. Taking a solutions-oriented approach, Erica uses a growth mindset to empower communities and institutions to examine current issues, imagine ideal outcomes and take steps to make transformation real.

Erica's work with institutions and organizations includes: NAIS' People of Color Conference; Boston University Academy; Dedham Country Day School; Enrollment Management Association; Learning Center for the Deaf; GLSEN, Association of Independent Schools of New England, Indian Mountain School, Association Montessori Internationale, Noble and Greenough School, Shady Hill School, Triumvirate Environmental.

Erica offers consulting on strategic plan and change management and tailored keynote addresses, workshops and assembly performances. Erica creates tailored professional and personal development for all stakeholder groups, including faculty, staff, administration, Board of Trustees, parent/guardian/caregivers and students of any age. Erica has experience with the following focus areas and can also develop a session for your precise needs. For detailed descriptions, click any title.

• • Antiracism Strategy

  • Raising Antiracist Children

  • Positive Racial Identity Development for People of Color

  • Equity for Trans, Gender Non-Conforming & Nonbinary Community Members

  • Intro to Race and Racism

  • Inclusive & Equitable Classrooms

  • Anti-Bias Admissions Processes

  • Intercultural Advising

  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Schools (tailored to pre-K-8 schools, high schools, and colleges)

  • Travel & Service Trips: Culturally Responsive & Competent Trip Leadership

  • Travel & Service Trips: Curriculum Development for Pre, On, and Post-Trip Programming

  • Service Programs: Equity & Cultural Competency

  • Curriculum Revision: Resources & Best Practices

Erica's drive to do this work comes from her own experiences as a Black Queer student and educator in predominantly white schools and her experiences living and working with first-generation college bound high school students in UMass-Boston's Upward Bound programs. Born and raised in central Connecticut, Erica studied chemistry education (B.S.) and curriculum and instruction (M.A.) with concentrations in critical pedagogy and multicultural education at the University of Connecticut. Erica was a student athlete, playing for the UConn softball team. After finishing grad school, Erica worked for Hartford Public Schools, UMass-Boston Upward Bound and the Noble and Greenough School. Erica is currently the Director of Inclusion and Multicultural Practice at Shady Hill School. Erica has a wonderful fourteen-year-old son and two rescue German Shepherds. Family time is spent cooking dinner and desserts together and walking the dogs.