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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 are re-launching this space in the 2023-2024 school year with intention to fortify a stronger foundation and co-lead structure for groups to flourish.
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African American/Black Belong Group
More information coming soon. For now, Check out this brief introduction video!
Continue to be excellent. Continue to push through. We are a unit of support, and you are whole.
Co-Leads:
Joi Jackson - joi_jackson@dpsk12.net
Rose Warnick - rose_warnick@dpsk12.net
Join us by signing up here!
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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!
Co-Lead(s) Wanted! Send an e-mail to: dps_belong@dpsk12.net
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Christian Educators
More information coming soon! Stay tuned as all newly established groups (this group, included) finish ideating with intentionality: (1) what these affinity spaces look like for all members, and (2) how each space will serve to build community with other affinity spaces.
Co-Leads:
Angela Faison | angela_faison@dpsk12.net
Rosalind Sullivan | rosalind_sullivan@dpsk12.net
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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!
Co-Lead(s) Wanted! Send an e-mail to: dps_belong@dpsk12.net
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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.Co-Leads:Lisa Cannon - lisa_cannon@dpsk12.netJulie Naski Roman - jnaski@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
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Educators with Disabilities
This group is for any DPS Educator who identifies as having a disability or who supports others with disabilities. (NOTE: Disclosure of disabilities is not required for membership.)
The Educators with Disabilities Belong Group is a space where DPS employees with visible and invisible disabilities can gather for networking, fun, and support. As this group evolves, this will be a space where employees with various disabilities can receive support and advocacy.
More information coming soon!
We do seek to keep membership in this group anonymous, so please join us through the sign-up form below and we will reach out to you with more details. We look forward to building community with you!
Also, Co-Lead Wanted!
Please email dps_belong@dpsk12.net if you want to learn more about leading/co-leading a Belong Group.
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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!
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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
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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 Alicia Sierra (sher/her/hers), 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
Alicia Sierra | alicia_sierra@dpsk12.net
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Managers of Color Belong Group
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.Lead: KG Kujjo - KG_Kujjo@dpsk12.net
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Visa-Sponsored Educators
More information coming soon! Stay tuned as all newly established groups (this group, included) finish ideating with intentionality: (1) what these affinity spaces look like for all members, and (2) how each space will serve to build community with other affinity spaces.
Co-Leads:
Marlin Nino Mantilla, l_nino-mantilla@dpsk12.net
Diana Salinas, diana_salinas@dpsk12.net
Join us by signing up here!
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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.
To see upcoming events, view the WOC Group event calendar.
Lead: Imari Ross, imari_ross@dpsk12.net
