(VPA member benefit)
“Just a quick note to thank you for your leadership with the VPA Affinity Group for Leaders Of Color. It was, by far, one of the most supportive, inspiring, and informative 90 minutes I’ve ever had in my professional career. We’re talking top 2-3 here- and my career is 28 years old. I am truly grateful to you.” (VPA Affinity group member)
Our group provides an opportunity for BIPOC administrators, working in predominantly white schools to come together and share experiences, learn from and support each other through our triumphs and challenges. The sharing of stories, experiences, ideas, successes and lots of laughter, provide a place for healing and growth that allows for racial equity transformation. Additionally our affinity group has become a wonderful place to network, make state-wide connections and as well as providing leadership and guidance on issues of educational equity.
The group is facilitated by Bonnie Johnson-Aten, long-time educator, principal and district leader in Burlington. We will generally meet virtually once a month, with quarterly in-person gatherings.We hope you will consider joining us.
Sincerely,
Bonnie Johnson-Aten bjaten@bsdvt.org
(A VPA member benefit)
“I want to share with you that during a segment of our Leadership Team meeting, I ended up finally “outing” myself to all my district colleagues. I share this with you because the confidence, level of social-emotional safety, and security I have been experiencing as a result of being in the affinity group paved the way for this to happen today. I was able to leave day one of this week-long meeting feeling more empowered and secure in my own inner truth than I have in my last two years.” (VPA Affinity group member)
Our group provides an opportunity for LGBTQIA+ administrators and athletic directors, to come together and share experiences, learn from and support each other. The sharing of stories, experiences, ideas, successes, challenges, and lots of laughter, provide a safe and secure place. We have found that similar issues come up, no matter where we work in Vermont. Additionally, our affinity group has become a wonderful place to network and make state-wide connections, as well as provide leadership and guidance on LGBTQIA+ issues.
The group is facilitated by Kevin Dirth, former Superintendent of the Maple Run Unified Schools and long-time educator in Vermont. We generally meet virtually once a month and hope to occasionally meet in person several times a year. We hope you will consider joining us.
Kevin can be contacted at: kad43@aol.com