Who we are
Meet some of our incredible affinity group members!
Andreina Velasco
I'm a teacher at Lincoln Park Elementary in the district's first dual language preschool (Spanish/English). I work, fail, learn, and try to get better everyday at building a homeplace in my classroom alongside my students, families, and colleagues. To me, a classroom and school that is a homeplace is where students of color feel seen, affirmed, challenged and free to reach their full human potential. My freedom dream is that our district becomes a place where all students, families, and staff of color can find a homeplace in our schools.
I'm a Venezuelan immigrant, Latina, educator, and organizer. I'm passionate about building pathways for students of color to become our future teachers. I'm also passionate about building community with fellow educators of color. The joy, conversation, and critical change work that I engage in with my staff of color community is what helps me thrive and keeps me centered while navigating a White Supremacist system.
Kaity Wu
Hello! I’m Kaity and I currently work as an Instructional Assistant in the Pre-K program at Mill Park Elementary. I am in the process of attaining my MAT and hope to continue working within the district once I’m done. I love the rich diversity of our DDSD student and family community and dream of the day when our staff also reflects that diversity. I see teaching as inextricably tied to the practice of equity. I believe that every child is born with an innate value and capacity for genius into a world which may not recognize their worth or potential. That is why I want to teach. I want to be a part of the world that tells each and every child who enters my classroom: Your Life Matters.
Michael Smith
Hi, my name is Michael Smith and I am an Instructional Assistant at Earl Boyles Elementary. I work with students of all ages and skill levels in small personable groups assisting them to become confident, successful and autonomous learners. When I’m off the clock, I like to stay physically active, play the occasional video game and spend a crazy amount of time absorbing all kinds of music and podcasts.
Do you know an amazing staff of color you'd like to see featured? Please email sabrina_sommer@ddsd40.org