Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1508385
October/November 2023 isea.org • ISEA Communiqué 2 GET TO KNOW ME GET TO KNOW ME Lesa Banks Tell us a little about yourself: I grew up on the family farm outside of Sioux City. I went to college for a business degree in the 80s. I quickly gured the women I worked with made less money than the men, despite the job or experience. I decided to go back to college and get my degree in education. I knew public education had strong unions and equal pay for equal work. I have worked in the Sioux City Community School District as an Art teacher for 31 years. I have taught a variety of subjects and grade levels throughout the years. At West and North high school, I taught 2- and 3- Dimensional Art, AP Drawing, Graphic Art, Photography, Yearbook, and Mass Communications. I taught Elementary and Secondary Art Methods at Briar Cli University. How are you involved with the union? There was no question when I started elementary that I would join the union. I have been a member for 31 years. I became actively involved in my building about 20 years ago. I realized the importance of standing together. I have been a building representative and am currently Sioux City Education Association president and Iowa State Education Association council chair. I am retiring in 2025 and have already started paying for my lifetime membership. What's one skill you think everyone should have? The ability to adapt to situations quickly. The educational eld is changing at a faster pace than I have ever seen. It used to be you just needed to keep up on your subject matter. Now there are so many other skills you need to be an eective teacher. If you could have dinner with any historical gure, who would it be and what would you ask them? Really tough question. There are so many women who broke ground for the women of my generation. Dorothy Lang. She broke the ceiling for female photographers. She was not only a great artist but an advocate for the struggles during the depression of working-class people. She supplied an image to show the hardships and struggles in the 1930s. Her photos were used to advocate for government help. Who would you most like to swap places with for a day? Mike Beranek. He always looks like he is having fun and meeting new people. He gets to visit schools and see what is happening across Iowa. What's the most memorable concert or live event you've attended? U2 in Minneapolis. It was outdoors and rained the whole time. Bono broke into impromptu song in the middle of the concert. Singing in the rain. There are a lot of these also. I will go with the recent one. I represented ISEA in Washington, DC for the Community Action Committee. What's the coolest thing you're working on now? I am involved in setting up our new Unit Council 2. We had our rst meeting in September. I enjoyed meeting new people and sharing our educational views. Lesa Banks 1 LIMRA, "A Measure of Financial Wellness" 2020 The information provided here is for general informational purposes only, and should not be considered a recommendation or investment, tax or legal advice. DonorsChoose is not an affiliate of Horace Mann. Horace Mann Life Insurance Company underwrites Horace Mann life insurance products. Horace Mann's Student Loan Solutions program includes services provided by an independent third party, Tuition.io. Horace Mann is an independent company not affiliated with the Department of Education or the federal government. No assistance provided by Horace Mann constitutes official action for purposes of student loan forgiveness programs or guaranteed results. Horace Mann is not affiliated with state teachers' retirement systems, and the content of its workshops has not been endorsed or approved by state teachers' retirement systems. AM-C04711 (May 23) Horace Mann is your partner in financial wellness horacemann.com General Financial Wellness • Student Loan Solutions • Managing Debt • Financial Success • DonorsChoose Retirement • On the road to retirement • Millennials and nancial wellness • State Teachers' Retirement System • Retirement Income Women's Financial Wellness • Women and Retirement • Why Women need Life Insurance • Financial Success for Women 1945.Ck QR• ••• Financial wellness, one of the biggest challenges for many, is dened as, "being condent in your nancial situation, able to withstand unexpected expenses and enjoy a nancially secure future." 1 You have many nancial needs — meeting everyday expenses, paying off debt, saving for emergencies, paying for healthcare and saving for retirement — but there's only so much money to go around. A well-crafted nancial wellness program may be the answer. No matter where you are in your journey, Horace Mann will be with you every step of the way.