Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1297492
Unprecedented, and almost unimaginable, COVID-19 has complicated nearly every aspect of our lives. Work, school, family life, and free-time all look almost unrecognizably different than they did just months ago. 2020 has been a trying year. As of this writing, more than 200,000 Americans have lost their lives to COVID-19, and the United States is bracing for the chilling reality that with winter, we will usher in the flu season, which will further threaten our most vulnerable populations in tandem with COVID-19. Through it all, Wyoming educators persevere. From the teacher screening students with temperature and symptom checks long before the first bell rings, to the custodians doing deep-cleaning and sanitizing in addition to their normal duties, to the educators tirelessly working to prepare concurrent virtual learning materials—in effect doubling or even tripling a bearable workload—I'm amazed by and proud of our dedicated Wyoming education employees. I am both honored and humbled to be serving as your president. As your president, I want you to know: your Association is here for you. I want you to know that though normalcy remains out of reach, I have faith in the innovation and dedication of Wyoming educators. As faculty, ESP, and staff, you are helping Wyoming's youth to navigate this new normal. You are caring for their educational needs, but also their safety and their social and emotional needs. In this issue of WEA News, you will find stories of educators using these uncertain times as inspiration to craft unique teaching assignments, you will find stories of educators advocating for the saf ety of themselves and their students, and you will find a group of brave, committed individuals coming together as our Association to advocate for the physical health and wellbeing of our students, and the fiscal health and wellbeing of our state. Please: stay the course. Do what you can to care for yourself, even as you're caring for so many others. COVID-19 laid bare the incredible extent to which our s ociety relies on the services provided by education employees. School, education, and education employees are critical to our state, society, and future. Continue your great work knowing that your Association, your community, and your students value and appreciate you. You inspire us. We are thankful for you. Use our gratitude as fuel for the tough months that remain ahead and know: We'll get through this together, and we'll be stronger for it. If you have ideas about how your Association can best serve your needs during these difficult times, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. Even if I can just be a friend and lend a listening ear, please don't hesitate to call or email me anytime. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you for being adaptable, hard-working, selfless, and kind. Because of you, I a m so very proud to be a part of the education community. Because of you, I am proud to be a part of the WEA. We are the WEA. F R O M T H E D E S K O F P R E S I D E N T H U T C H E R S O N Grady Hutcherson President, WEA ghutcherson@wyoea.org (307) 532-1731 Sincerely, 4