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The Purple Zone
Welcome to The Purple Zone (formerly Our Kids Our Schools).
Bridging the Gap between Public Policy and Everyday Practice
The Purple Zone explores what it really means to align how we govern, how we educate, and how we show up for our communities.
Hosted by Alexis — a PhD student in public policy and administration, and longtime educator and advocate for kids, communities, and the systems that shape our lives. This podcast connects the dots between policy and practice, without the politics or platitudes.
It’s about naming what often goes unsaid — and making space for a more honest, human approach to systems that impact all of us.
How systems shape our communities, from policy on paper to action in practice. + Thinking Out Loud as a PhD Student
The Purple Zone
What If We Talked Like Everyone Mattered?--The Dignity Index with Tami Pyfer
A year in the making, I was fortunate to sit down with Tami Pyfer, co-creator of the Dignity Index, for a conversation that could truly change the way we engage with the world around us.
The Dignity Index is more than a measurement—it’s a movement. It’s a tool for self-reflection and public dialogue that helps us recognize the tone and impact of how we communicate—especially when we disagree.
And it’s not just for political debates or social media threads. The Dignity Index has powerful relevance in our school communities. At a time when:
- Politicians are reshaping how they talk about education,
- Parents are expressing evolving hopes and concerns, and
- Educators are navigating profound shifts in their profession—
...this tool can help us show up differently. More aware. Less reactive. More human.
In this episode, we talk about:
- How the Dignity Index began and why it matters now more than ever
- The difference between being "nice" and offering dignity
- Why contempt is so corrosive—and how we can move away from it
- What it looks like to hold strong views while still honoring others as human
I love to say: Respect is earned. Dignity is offered.
💬 Join the conversation. Be part of the dignity movement: dignity.us
🙌 Follow along and connect with me on social media—and please share this episode with someone you know. It takes courage to speak with dignity. Let’s lead the way.
Follow the Dignity Index on Instagram
Connect with Tami Pyfer on Instagram
Find Alexis on Instagram and JOIN in the conversation: https://www.instagram.com/the_idaho_lady/
JOIN the convo on Substack & STAY up-to-date with emails and posts https://substack.com/@theidaholady?r=5katbx&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page
Send Alexis an email with guest requests, ideas, or potential collaboration.
alexis@ourkidsourschools.com
Find great resources and info on school communities:
https://ourkidsourschools.com/