Communication, design, and ethics in practice…
Reflections on schools, systems, and public life. These posts explore fairness, power, trust, and what happens when institutions include some people while failing others.
Ethical clarity rarely comes from certainty. It emerges through discomfort, restraint, and dialogue. This personal reflection explores how communities respond to harm, how outrage flattens complexity, and why accountability must leave room for repair if ethics is to protect our shared humanity and the common good.
Ethics is not a performance or a set of rules. It is the discipline that allows communication, leadership, and institutions to sustain trust across disagreement. In a time that rewards certainty and speed, this essay reflects on ethics as a daily practice of responsibility, restraint, and care for the common good.
The Myth of the Perfect Employee Equity is a word we often see at the top of mission statements in our school districts. It looks great in banners, policy drafts, and social media posts. But what happens when those same institutions quietly favor candidates who are flawless on paper, leaving out those with non-traditional paths, …
Continue reading "Equity or Elitism? When “Perfect Employees” Undermine Inclusive Communities"
As this post was originally published Evergreen Public Schools was in the third week of a strike that had closed schools. Families were already well past the point of improvising schedules. Students were missing instructional time that no one seriously believes will be fully recovered later. Meals were still being served. Some extracurriculars, including sports, …
Continue reading "Strikes Close Schools but Do Not Put Students First"
I want to start with something small, because that’s how this experience actually unfolded. Over the past few years, I tried to show up in my local public school system in ways that felt useful. Sometimes that meant volunteering. Sometimes it meant offering professional skills. Sometimes it simply meant asking questions and paying attention to …
Continue reading "When Inclusion Fails: A Parent’s Journey Through Equity in Public Education"
The Evergreen Public Schools campaign promotes diversity and inclusion, focusing on LGBTQ+ visibility and support since 2022. Engaging the community through events, education, and storytelling, it aims to normalize conversations around LGBTQ+ identities and create safe environments. The initiative encourages involvement and advocates for representation and empowerment in schools.
In the General Election of November 2014, citizens were asked to vote on a new form of government for Clark County. After reviewing both sides of the debate—CharterYes.com (supporting the charter) and VoteNoCharter.com (opposing it)—I realized how significant this vote was for our local community. Wanting to be proactive, I translated key information from CharterYes.com …
In 1942, J. Howard Miller created the "We Can Do It!" poster for Westinghouse, later recognized as "Rosie the Riveter," symbolizing women's strength. International Women's Day on March 8 celebrates women's achievements and ongoing struggles for equality. Despite advances, gender inequality persists, emphasizing the need for continued advocacy and awareness.
Mikhail Oparin 