The mission of GIMS is to “Inspire, Prepare, and Empower students to succeed in a changing world.” Our shared vision is to be recognized as “a national leader in transforming lives through an innovative, rigorous, and compassionate approach to education.” It is my great privilege to work and learn alongside you each day as we strive to fulfill this mission and to live into this vision. We are a tremendously rich and diverse community, composed of individuals from widely varied backgrounds, experiences, and gifts. Our ability to fulfill our mission and to live into our vision rests on our creating an environment that is welcoming and accepting of differences, and in which every person’s contribution and perspective is heard and valued. While we do not all share the same beliefs, experiences, and perspectives, I believe that we can honor, respect, and seek to understand one another. In fact, I expect that we as a community will do so. Our goal should not be to homogenize our community, but rather to foster deeper understanding, to build bonds, and to increase our effectiveness in working across cultures and beliefs. And we must do so within a context of trust and graciousness; not one of blame and shaming. Each of us plays an important role in creating and maintaining this environment.