Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1349911
FOCUS SOCIAL on JUSTICE WEA News caught up with Lincoln Elementary Music Educator and WEA member Lena Jones. Lena is one of seven WEA members who participated in NEA's 2020-2021 Minority and Women's Leadership Training. "I think that showing support of women and minorities in leadership positions is simply what needs to be done," said Jones. "Everyone who takes on the responsibility of a leadership position should be shown respect." At this year's Minority and Women's Leadership Training, the National Education Association offered sessions on how color and culture influence the workplace and the way that sexism and racism have evolved—or failed to—over the years. Jones believes that the Leadership Training was a worthwhile experience that has better prepared her to best serve her students. "I am more prepared to talk about the reasons that I teach certain topics," she said, "for example, having an African American female composer as our focus this semester. I also am ready to speak to my students about [social and racial justice] in terms that are appropriate for different ages at each grade level while remaining clear on the most important points." If you or a colleague would like to attend next year's Minority and Women's Leadership Training, reach out to WEA President Grady Hutcherson at ghutcherson@wyoea.org to be placed on the list of potential attendees for the 2021-2022 session. Natrona County Education Association Social & Racial Jusice Committee NCEA President and NEA Director Dirk Andrews shared with WEA News his excitement about NCEA's new Social & Racial Justice Committee. The 20+ member committee met for the first time in November of 2020. "We discussed everything from race to social issues to religion," Andrews said. "Our focus will be on ensuring we have policies and practices to support all of our students." President Andrews also emphasized that the committee will prioritize offering social and racial justice training to all NCEA employees. 25