Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/956367
5 Your WEA at Work A Warm Welcome to Andrea Shipley: WEA's New Comm./Organizing Director Goshen County EA Writes to Legislators Andrea is a graduate of the Western State Center's Western Institute for Organizing and Leadership Development, awarded as a Woman Making History by Boise State University, and awarded as Grassroots Leader of the Year in 2009 by United Vision for Idaho. She holds a BA in English from the University of Montana and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Wyoming. Andrea continued, "Being charged with listening to our membership, helping to strengthen and grow our membership, and empowering folks to tell their story are among the most inspiring things about this job. I look forward to meeting each of you and sharing your voice in solidarity with all educators to make a positive impact on public education." Andrea spends her free time hiking, camping, reading, writing, and spending time with her family. Andrea Shipley is a fourth generation Wyomingite who comes to us from Powell. Born and raised in Worland, she left Wyoming for nearly 20 years as she pursued her education and career. After the birth of her daughter, she returned to Wyoming, where she was employed for six years at Northwest College before accepting the job at WEA. Helping people recognize the power they have to make social change was one of the motivating reasons Andrea joined WEA as a member during her time at Northwest College. She explained, "I believe the more people are involved in safeguarding and expanding public education for the benefit of society, the better for everyone's future." Members of the Goshen County EA gathered at the home of co-president Nyana Simms on January 29th to write postcards to their local legislators. Each member wrote several cards focusing on the positives found in their classrooms due to the current funding model. They also promised to take back to each of their respective schools this idea of handwriting postcards, so their legislators can hear from the educators themselves about the quality of Wyoming's schools and the need to maintain funding. Andrea Shipley with daughter Harper.