Tigard-Tualatin School District Names Zinnia Un Directr Of Equity & Inclusion (Photo) - 07/23/20

TIGARD, OR. – The Tigard-Tualatin School District (TTSD) has named Zinnia Un Director of Equity & Inclusion. In this role, Un will work closely with the School Board, Superintendent, and Assistant Superintendent in advancing the district’s mission to “Educate Every Child” through a dedicated focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Un will build on her work with TTSD as the coordinator of equity and inclusion with an emphasis on institutionalizing systems that will dismantle historic practices of systematic racism in our schools, policies, and curriculum. 

“There is no work more important for our district right now and Zinnia is the perfect leader to step into this role,” said Assistant Superintendent Lisa McCall. “This position will champion real transformation in our district like no other time. District leadership is ready to listen to and learn from Director Un, and roll up our sleeves to ultimately set the example for what an inclusive education system looks like.”

Immediate priorities for Director Un, in partnership with the School Board and district leadership, include convening diverse voices as the district commits to creating a Hate Speech Board Policy; creating and executing a plan in support of TTSD Board Resolution 1920-19, a student inspired anti-racist district resolution; and leading community and local governments in conversation around Student Resource Officers in TTSD schools. 

“Racism and systems of injustice impact all of us, some at a higher cost than others so we must know our community, who is in it, our struggles as well as our strengths because only we can solve the problems ahead of us. I bring that weight and responsibility to this position, “ said Director of Equity & Inclusion Zinnia Un. “I also bring the knowledge that those in our community have what it takes to bring our commitments to addressing injustices and personal responsibility to our collective reality. We are not stuck in the loop of inaction. No one will save us, we are our own problem-solvers, creative collaborators, and advocates for justice, equity, and inclusion. It will take all of us, all the time, always.” 

With a focus on the success of all students, Un will work collaboratively with district leadership, principals, teachers, and staff to assess current and potential barriers for students and their families especially in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. She will contribute to district strategies to recruit and retain a diverse workforce, dedicating resources to data-verified areas of identified disparities. The Director of Equity & Inclusion reports to the Assistant Superintendent

Director Un has been with TTSD for nine years serving as a learning specialist and equity coordinator at Twality Middle School and, for the past three years, led the district’s equity initiatives to include professional development of leadership, teachers, and staff. She earned a BS in Social Science and a MS in Special Education from Portland State University (PSU) where she earned her Teaching and Administrative Licensure, and Special Education and PK-12 Reading Specialist Endorsements. She is currently pursuing her Doctoral degree at PSU with a focus on Equity in Complex Systems and is scheduled to complete in the fall of 2021.

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