Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1251513
Developing a Vision S O C I A L J U S T I C E 2 0 2 0 Wyoming Education Association When we are living in a socially just society, all people are being provided with the resources and opportunities to live a happy, healthy, and productive life. This is the society I want for our students. - Lydia Rayfield Ready to start incorporating social justice-themed curriculum into your classroom? Rayfield says that the key is to start simple. "I want teachers to understand that these topics do not have to be intimidating, and the lessons don't have to be very time- consuming," she said. "I can relate to the overwhelming pressure of teaching and, at times, the endless to- do list. But I also understand that when I take the time to teach about these topics, I am opening the door to deep conversations and helping students shape the way they think about the greater world around them." Ethnic and Minority Representative to the WEA Board of Directors, Lydia Rayfield, organized the training. "As I talk to teachers, many of them express the importance of social justice pedagogy, but they need support with resources, time, and the training to teach these topics effectively," said Rayfield. "It is my goal to create a network of social justice lessons and classroom activities for teachers and students." n February, WEA hosted the Social Justice: Developing a Vision Conference centered on teaching members how to incorporate social justice into their classrooms. Director and Professor of Native American and Indigenous Studies at the University of Wyoming, Dr. Angela Jaime, Ph.D. was the keynote speaker, art teacher, Tracey Wilcox screened a documentary produced by her students dealing with social justice issues, and WEA welcomed NEA presenters, Richard Melvin and Vashti Mallory. Interested in learning more about social justice? Want to be involved in developing resources and networking around best practices for social justice learning? I Lydia Rayfield leads attendees in an exercise at the Social Justice: Developing a Vision Conference. February 2020, Casper, WY. Attendees complete exercises at the Social Justice Developing a Vision Conference. February 2020, Casper, WY. Contact Lydia at hellolydiarose@gmail.com 27