Educator affinity groups
Education Minnesota offers a variety of affinity groups for our members to connect with colleagues from across the state to discuss mutual concerns and help each other navigate an education system where they are often in the minority.
Educator of color affinity groups
Our educator of color affinity groups are the creation of Education Minnesota’s Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee (EMAC), an advisory body that focuses on ethnic minority issues in Minnesota schools. EMAC is made up of 20 Education Minnesota members appointed by President Denise Specht. These members of color hail from around the state and represent classroom teachers, education support professionals and retired members.
EMAC oversees the activities and goals of the educator of color affinity groups throughout the year. Many members of EMAC are also members of an affinity group.
The committee meets four times during the school year to discuss issues relating to students and members of color, as well as to track progress being made regarding the implementation of the Affirmative Involvement Plan (AIP). EMAC is updated throughout the year on the work being done by the forums to keep all members of color connected.
Currently, four affinity groups exist representing four different ethnic groups in Minnesota:
The African American Educators Forum is a network of education professionals who are inspired to provide support and advocacy towards better outcomes for our educators, students and communities.
The American Indian Education Professionals supports, encourages and advocates for American Indian/Native American educators to create an inclusive and safe learning environment to achieve better outcomes for Native youth.
The League of Latinx Educators is a network of classroom teachers and educational assistants dedicated to the betterment and academic success of all students, with a particular focus on Latino and immigrant youth.
The Pan Asian Educators Forum is a network of education professionals collectively advocating for Asian students, families and educators.
If you have questions about any of the groups, please email Londel French or call him at 651-227-9541. You can also contact one of the group leaders below:
African American Educators Forum
aaedforum@gmail.com
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/africanamericaneducatorsforum/home
American Indian Education Professionals
tucker.quetone@gmail.com
League of Latinx Educators
leaguelatinoeducatorsmn@gmail.com
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/leagueoflatinxeducators/home​
Pan Asian Educators Forum
maria.le@isd623.org
LGBTQ+ educators
We all deserve the right to live, work and thrive no matter our sexual orientation or gender identities—no exceptions. Here are some resources, support and more for LGBTQ+ educators from your union.
LGBTQ+ Educator Affinity Space
Our LGBTQ+ Affinity Space is for Education Minnesota members seeking a safe space and community with other LGBTQ+ educators. If interested in joining, please contact Samantha Rushmeyer.
Rainbow Educator Network
The Rainbow Educator Network is a private Facebook group of more than 500 educators. Its goal is to support and advocate for LGBTQ+ educators. The group provides resources, networking, community building opportunities, training, compassion and empathy.
Jewish educators
Jewish Members Affinity Space
Are you an Education Minnesota member who identifies with the Jewish religion? Are you looking for a safe space with your fellow Jewish peers where we can share our own unique experiences, celebrate our culture and brainstorm ideas to counter the rise of antisemitism within our schools together?
If any of these ideas resonate with you, please fill out the interest form below, so together we can continue to grow our Jewish affinity space within the larger Education Minnesota community.
Jewish Members Affinity Space
JewishAffinitySpace@edmn.org
How to get involved
If you’d like to receive updates from one of the groups, please fill out the form below to be added to an email list:
