About Us
Our story
In Tennessee, three dedicated education professionals come together, driven by their passion for improving student learning. Nashville, a city rich in diversity and culture, is home to families from over 130 countries, many of whom choose to enroll their children in public schools.
We have identified significant gaps in support for multilingual learners, including access to vital information, scaffolded instruction, and technology skills. These learners face academic challenges, such as culture shock limited vocabulary, and a need for English role models Thus, bariers can make it difficult for them to grasp academic content and English simultaneously, profoundly impacting their learning journey.
Our commitment is unwavering as we strive to bridge these communication gaps by providing enriching language experiences through the arts. By pooling our collective skills and experience we aim to create meaningful and impactful learning opportunities for children who need to master English proficiency.
We are dedicated to nurturıng and enlightening the next generation with empathy and cultural awareness.
Mission
To ensure that multilingual learners have the literacy and communication skills necessary for success in a global environment.
Purpose
Open Windows is organized for educational purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We provide instruction to multilingual school aged children. More specifically, we teach curiosity, critical thinking, and effective use of digital media to advance students through language and cultural challenges.
Vision
To provide a space for students to develop and practice digital media, foster creativity, and engage in conversational and formal communication.
VALUES
At OpenWindows, we embrace core values as we engage with students from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Our Educational Partner
Valuing diversity and creating an inclusive environment where all learners feel welcomed, respected, and have equal access to opportunities. We strive to overcome barriers and inequities to ensure equitable outcomes for learners from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Cultural Responsiveness
We recognize and validate the diverse learner population’s cultural assets, experiences, and perspectives. It is vital to adapt programs, curricula, and teaching methods to be culturally relevant and responsive to the needs of multicultural learners.
Community Engagement
We actively engage with the local community, including families and cultural/community organizations, to build partnerships and leverage their expertise. We are empowering the community to be involved in planning and implementing programs and services.
Holistic Support
We provide comprehensive, wraparound services that address multicultural learners’ academic, social-emotional, and practical needs. We recognize the intersectionality of identities and the unique challenges faced by learners from diverse backgrounds.
Continuous Learning and Improvement
We are fostering a culture of ongoing professional development and cultural competency training for staff and regularly evaluating programs and services to ensure they remain responsive to the evolving needs of the multicultural learner communities.
Advocacy and Social Justice.
We advocate for policies and systemic changes that promote equity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for multicultural learners. Challenging biases, stereotypes, and discriminatory practices that hinder the success of multicultural learners.
By sustaining these values, we as an organization can foster a supportive and empowering environment that enables multicultural learners to thrive and reach their full potential.