{"id":58,"date":"2021-10-14T19:58:57","date_gmt":"2021-10-14T19:58:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.soesd.k12.or.us\/soren\/?page_id=58"},"modified":"2025-10-28T22:35:15","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T22:35:15","slug":"focus-areas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.soesd.k12.or.us\/soren\/leadership\/focus-areas\/","title":{"rendered":"Focus Areas"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” equal_height=”yes” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” enable_shape_divider=”true” shape_divider_color=”#0298a8″ shape_divider_position=”top” shape_divider_height=”75″ shape_divider_bring_to_front=”true” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”mountains”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-6-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Dignity and Belonging<\/h2>\n

We aim to create a dignity-affirming culture in Southern Oregon\u2019s schools where the environment is inclusive and inviting; people can show up authentically without fear; racial diversity, ethnic heritage, culture, unique lived experiences, and multiple languages are appreciated as assets; hard truths, limiting beliefs, and harmful systems are reckoned with and revamped; and our ultimate aim is for everyone to know, feel, and confidently say, ” I am safe, I matter and I belong at school and in my community.”<\/p>\n

We listen deeply, share stories, make room for healing (ourselves and others), connect what we have in common, and strengthen relationships across our differences so we can improve experiences and foster conditions for true belonging. We’ve witnessed the dysfunctional cycle of equity work<\/em> unfold over and over – with little to no improvement over time. We believe investing time and energy cultivating a culture of dignity is the fastest and most effective way to interrupt discrepancies, disparities, and proportionality in our school systems and truly improve experiences and outcomes so more people (adults, adolescents, and children) can thrive in the school environment and beyond. Our practices are rooted in Donna Hicks’ 10 Elements for Dignity\u00a0<\/em>(Hicks, 2018) and Floyd Cobb and John Krownapple’s\u00a0Dignity Framework<\/em> (Cobb & Krownapple, 2019).\u00a0 We invite more openness, patience, listening, and empathy – more curiosity and less judgment – more love and less fear. The changes we seek are systemic and the equity and inclusion we seek begins in each one of us in community with others.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ background_image=”111″ background_image_position=”center center” background_image_loading=”default” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_color=”#0298a8″ scene_position=”center” text_color=”light” text_align=”center” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”padding-5-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

\u201cTransformational culture work is always relational; It is not transactional.\u00a0 Real diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work is not about a checklist.\u00a0 It\u2019s about relationships.\u201d
\n– <\/i><\/b>Aiko Bethea<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” equal_height=”yes” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”padding-6-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Continuous Improvement <\/b><\/h2>\n

Driven by dignity, educator voice, skilled leadership, collective efficacy, psychological safety and wellbeing, our Aim includes three key factors \u2013 safety \u2013 significance \u2013 and belonging.\u00a0 These three items may seem separate, but we see them as linked.\u00a0 The proximal nature of each indicator creates a closely coupled relationship where one indicator often affects the others. We are excited to see some incredible shifts in beliefs; ways of being and relating to others; and eagerness to engage in complex work.<\/p>\n

In the spirit of continuous improvement, SOREN continues to refine our possibly wrong, definitely incomplete <\/i>theory of change.\u00a0 Our team continues to engage with educators, including SOREN Advisors, as well as seek support from our Community Partners and Gifted Team of Consultants and Contractors.\u00a0 We are pushing on systems that are over a century old with an AIM that is simple and complex at the same time. We are consistently fighting the urge to fall into a place of comfort as we stretch our \u201cWhys\u201d and develop interconnected ways to move and measure small shifts that matter in the schema of continuous improvement and growth.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ background_image=”722″ background_image_position=”center center” background_image_loading=”default” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_color=”#ffb200″ scene_position=”center” text_color=”light” text_align=”center” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”padding-5-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

\u201cEmpathy has no script. There is no right way or wrong way to do it. It\u2019s simply listening, holding space, withholding judgement, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message, \u2018You are not alone.\u2019\u201d
\n– Brene Brown<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” equal_height=”yes” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”padding-6-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Focus on Educator’s Experience
\n<\/b><\/h2>\n

Creating school environments where educators feel safe, know they matter, and experience belonging is essential for psychological safety, well-being, effective teaching, sustainable school improvement, and student success.<\/p>\n

TOP 5 Reasons Why Safety, Significance & Belonging Matter<\/b><\/h3>\n

\u00a01. Psychological Safety and School Climate<\/b><\/h3>\n