Our philosophy is exemplified by our logo, which we share with our sibling company, Engaging Every Student. The hand is like those we traced when we were children. Remember cutting yours out and decorating it, and then proudly displaying it on the classroom wall or presenting it to your parents? We remember educational experiences like this one because they are active and they allow us to engage our creativity and produce something we can share with others. This is foremost in our minds even when we are integrating new technologies into the learning process.
The hand in our logo is brightly colored to symbolize engagement and alertness, and it leans forward to represent student activity. It points up to symbolize a student who has raised her hand to make a contribution or ask a compelling question in class, as well as the positive results that come from making the learning process more student-centered, active, visual, and enjoyable.
Social Responsibility Mission Statement
We work to foster a more sustainable, just, and compassionate world, and the bright blue circle in our logo symbolizes the world made better by the actions of young people and dedicated educators, as well as our own futures, enriched by meaningful educational experiences. We work collaboratively with like-minded partners on projects focused on helping to connect students with the natural world and their communities, with the simultaneous goals of enhanced educational outcomes and the fostering of deeper connections with, appreciation, and stewardship of the places where they live.
To achieve these goals, we use 50-100% recycled paper in our printed materials, recycle and compost as much of our waste materials as we can in the City of Portland, and go paperless whenever possible. We are 100% renewable energy-powered, with about 95% of it being solar energy produced on site, and the remainder being wind energy purchased through Pacific Power’s Blue Sky Renewable Energy program. Our websites are hosted by Canvas Host, a local certified B-Corp which is also 100% powered by renewable energy. We use bicycle and electric-car transportation, and when we hire individuals and firms to assist with projects or provide other services such as catering, we seek out minority-owned, women-owned, and other emerging small businesses and nonprofit organizations. In addition, we are a “Green Street Steward” which works with the City of Portland to maintain local bioswales, and we volunteer with our Woodlawn Neighborhood Association, the Woodlawn Farmers Market, and other community organizations. In our view, people and planet are just as important as paying the bills, so our focus on sustainability permeates everything we do, and we are certified as a Sustainable Business by the City of Portland.
At Engaging Press we are anti-racist. We believe in:
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person
- Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations
We acknowledge that systemic racism is a powerful societal force that has benefited us economically and in the workplace. We know dismantling racist policies and creating equity requires continuous effort, and we work to identify and eradicate racist policies.
We value differences, including diverse cultures and beliefs, and strive to:
- Create a welcoming, supportive work environment
- Collaborate with diverse partners and viewpoints
- Engage in inclusive dialog and welcome feedback
- Develop inclusive educational resources
- Identify and challenge racism when we see it
- Bring an attitude of humility and openness to our work
- Accept responsibility for the mistakes we make
- Listen to and learn from other people and continue to grow
We donate a significant portion of our profits to organizations that share these values, such as the Southern Poverty Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and environmental organizations with impactful diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, such as Portland Audubon and Soul River “Runs Wild.”
