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Employee-built groups fostering diversity and inclusion.
DPS Belong groups are intentional spaces for people with similar backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences to gather, celebrate, and create community. We recognize that our employees from underrepresented backgrounds bring diverse experiences, perspectives, and approaches to the work that we do. These experiences and perspectives are what create a stronger and more inclusive environment for both our employees and our students.
While these spaces are very important, COVID and other significant changes in the district have disrupted the sustainability and maintenance of these spaces. We slowly relaunched this space in the 2023-2024 school year with intention to fortify a stronger foundation and co-lead structure for groups to flourish, and we are eager to bolster the experience of building community with each other in this new school year of 2024-2025!
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African American/Black Belong Group
Check out this brief introduction video! I believe that by working together and leveraging the expertise and diverse perspectives of our colleagues, we can address existing challenges more effectively and create positive change within DPS.
Continue to be excellent. Continue to push through. We are a unit of support, and you are whole.
Group Lead:
Rose Warnick - rose_warnick@dpsk12.net
Co-Lead(s) Wanted! Send an e-mail to: dps_belong@dpsk12.net
Join the group by signing up here! (Sign-up forms are managed weekly, we appreciate your patience in response time.)
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Asian Belong Group
Hello! Thank you for your interest in joining DPS's Asian Belong Group! As of September 2024, we have identified a new DPS Team Member to get this group up and running. We are excited to announce that this group's lead will be Hannah Branit, and we are currently seeking another DPS Team Member who may be interested in co-leadership. Please reach out to DPS_Belong@dpsk12.org if you are interested in co-leading! For the interim, keep your interested membership coming by signing up for this group as we begin to establish it!
Lead:
Hannah Branit - hannah_branit@dpsk12.net
Co-Lead wanted!
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Beyond Parenting
This group has interested members but none quite have the capacity to lead without co-leadership. Help us get this group off the ground today! Interested in something more along the lines of Single Parents? Step Parents? Single Moms? Etc. These groups can be whatever you want. Email us today if you are interested in establishing something around these lines.
Complete the sign-up form here! (Sign-up forms are managed weekly, we appreciate your patience in response time.)
Leads/Co-Lead(s) Wanted! Send an e-mail to: dps_belong@dpsk12.net
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Christian Educators
DPS Christian Educators is a professional association of educators – supporting, connecting, encouraging and equipping Christians working within DPS. Our Affinity Group ensures transparency and accountability, reflecting our commitment to excellence and trust in our community. Our desire is that our eyes will be open to how God is using us as His ambassadors and then free us to work more powerfully with Jesus.
Group Lead:
Angela Faison - angela_faison@dpsk12.net
Lisa Allen - lisa_allen@dpsk12.net
* Sign-up forms are managed weekly, we appreciate your patience in response time.
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Citizens of the World
This group will share/learn about all cultures: different traditions/practices; food restrictions, diets, popular dishes; different norms; languages spoken; everyday life; religion; cultural celebrations; etc. Also, in the name of equity, it will identify stereotypes and present the counternarrative as one step towards dismantling the prejudice, racism, and inequity that pervade society.
More details to come! This group has interested members and an amazing DPS Team member who is willing to lead, but is seeking co-leadership. Help us get this group off the ground today!
Group Lead:
Olga Knight - olga_knight@dpsk12.net
Co-Lead(s) Wanted! Send an e-mail to: dps_belong@dpsk12.net
** Sign-up forms are managed weekly, we appreciate your patience in response time.
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Deaf and Hard of Hearing
We plan to make DPS an ideal place to work by helping individuals find their voice in a large organization. Our goal is to build a supportive group of DPS employees who either personally identify as D/deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), or who have a passion for the DHH community.We plan to make DPS more inclusive by providing accommodations for our events and promoting the awareness that individuals with reduced hearing have shared experiences that are unique and sometimes challenging. We recognize there may be many people throughout the district who would benefit from a space for connecting with others who understand and advocate for issues affecting the DHH community.Our target audience is anyone who has reduced hearing of any degree, considers themselves D/deaf, or hard of hearing, or anyone who is interested in supporting or learning about individuals in the DHH community.** Sign-up forms are managed weekly, we appreciate your patience in response time.
Co-Leads:
Julie Naski Roman - jnaski@dpsk12.netRobin James - robin_james@dpsk12.net -
Deconstructing Privilege Belong Group
"Deconstructing Privilege" is a dedicated forum for DPS team members to collectively explore and confront issues related to privilege. Committed to understanding and addressing its impact from diverse perspectives, our mission is to contribute to DPS improvement through open discussions and ongoing learning opportunities. Through this intentional work, we aim to equip ourselves with the knowledge and skills to dismantle oppression. DPS staff can engage more effectively with others, creating space for self-reflection and building a more inclusive and equitable community.
This group is a space for DPS Team Members to explore issues related to privilege. It welcomes those who are committed to understanding and addressing the impact of privilege on both others and ourselves, from various perspectives and intersectionalities. Use the link below to sign up and we will reach out to you with more details.
Co-Leads:
Lauren Sexauer Bartsch | lauren_sexauer@dpsk12.net
Noah Tonk | noah_tonk@dpsk12.net
** Sign-up forms are managed weekly, we appreciate your patience in response time.
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Differently Abled Together (DAT)
Welcome to Differently Abled Together (DAT), an affinity group within DPS designed for educators who identify as having a disability or who support others with disabilities. Our group values anonymity and does not require disclosure of disabilities for membership. DAT provides a safe and supportive space for DPS employees with both visible and invisible disabilities to connect, network, and enjoy camaraderie. As our community grows, we are committed to serving as advocates and offering assistance to members with diverse disabilities.
To join DAT and access more information, please complete the sign-up form below. We're enthusiastic about fostering this supportive community together!And check out the DAT website!
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Latina Leadership Belong Group
This group is for current or aspiring Latina Leaders who are interested in having a network of Latinas that will inspire, support, and develop each other through personal experience and intentional conversations. Toghether, it will be our focus to support, grow, and develop Latina Leaders in DPS.
Lead: Lacey Nelson - Lacey_Nelson@dpsk12.net
Co-Lead(s) Wanted!
(Sign-up forms are managed weekly, we appreciate your patience in response time.)
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Latinx/Hispanic Belong Group
Hi! I am Brianna Cherry, and I am excited to invite you into our Latinx/Hispanic Belong Group!
Our Belong group commits to being learners, advocates, influencers, and supporters and inspiring ourselves, our DPS team, and our students. We hope to make DPS more inclusive by:
- Do a lot of listening/trying to find the wants of our community
- Advocate for our students, low-income schools with limited resources
- Help students build a better understanding of their roots/history
- Provide resources for teachers
- Attending community events/having small community events
- Partner with District parent Latino group
- Bring our stories/experiences
Co-Leads:
Brianna Cherry | Brianna_Cherry@dpsk12.net
Leticia Levi | leticia_levi@dpsk12.net
Lillian Pachecho | lilian_pacheco@dpsk12.net
(Sign-up forms are managed weekly, we appreciate your patience in response time.)
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LGBTQIA+ Belong Group
DPS LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY & ALLIES ARE WELCOME
The LGBTQIA+ Belong Group aims for the following:
- Mission: We strive to create a supportive LGBTQIA+ community, fostering self-acceptance free from judgment. Through advocacy and celebration, our mission is to promote equality, empower individuals, and build a world where love and understanding triumph over discrimination, embracing the diversity of human experiences.
- Vision: To be a space where all can gather, celebrate, express themselves and pursue a more equitable world regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. To be a space where all can gather, celebrate, express themselves and pursue a more equitable world regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We will foster a safe space for all LGBTQIA+ community and allies within Denver Public Schools.
If any of this resonates with you, then we welcome you to join us!
Please contact Karley Ford (she/her/hers) or Marina Rios (she/her/hers) for more information. Subsequently, keep watch of your inbox for information on the first meeting!Co-Leads:
Karley Ford | karley_ford@dpsk12.net
Marina Rios | marina_rios@dpsk12.net
** Sign-up forms are managed weekly, we appreciate your patience in response time.
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Managers of Color Collective
Managers of Color Collective is an employee resource group that works to improve psychological safety, and our overall work experiences, and to support leaders of color at Denver Public Schools.
We are dedicated to the engagement, collaboration, and support of all managers of color which encourages development, success, and growth.
We focus on sharing knowledge and support; providing a community space for managers of color to connect and uplift each other; fostering an environment for discussion and collective problem-solving or thought-partnership; promoting engagement and networking; and creating professional and personal development opportunities.
This is a group intentionally designed by leaders of color, for leaders of color.Co-Leads:
KG Kujjo - KG_Kujjo@dpsk12.net
Alena "Lenny" Jimenez - alena_jimenez@dpsk12.net
Check out our website here!
** Sign-up forms are managed weekly, we appreciate your patience in response time.
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Visa-Sponsored Educators
Visa-Sponsored Educators Belong Group is dedicated to fostering a welcoming and supportive community for visa-sponsored educators within the Denver Public School system. We aim to provide resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy to empower all educators, ensuring their integration, success, and contribution to the educational landscape of Denver.
Co-Leads:
Marlin Nino Mantilla, l_nino-mantilla@dpsk12.net
Diana Salinas, diana_salinas@dpsk12.net
Silvia Curiel-Torres, scuriel@dpsk12.net
Juan Corral, juan_corral-luna@dpsk12.net
Join us by signing up here!
** Sign-up forms are managed weekly, we appreciate your patience in response time.
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Women of Color Belong Group
Visit the Women of Color website HERE.
Mission: The Women of Color Belong Group (WOC) is committed to the empowerment, development, collaboration, and comradery of our members within a supportive network and sisterhood of professional women. Our goal is to support district effort to:
- Create an ingrained support system for our educators including a protocol where employees of color can learn about the list of Belong Groups upon hiring
- Work for the advancement, retention, support, and development of Women of Color across departments through professional development, training, skills courses, mentorship, and engagement activities.
- Create caring communities through the strategic use of text, email, meetups, events, and programs for youth (i.e. Pathways to Teaching for HS students, Career Fairs for youth, Speaker’s Bureau)
- Collaborate with organizations and facilitators that support the ongoing development and support of our initiatives and goals of our WOC group
- Engage in social outings, health/wellness activities, and fun events that promote sisterhood and self-care for body and soul.
(Sign-up forms are managed weekly, we appreciate your patience in response time.)
To see upcoming events, view the WOC Group event calendar.
Lead: Imari Ross, imari_ross@dpsk12.net
