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 Betsy Kippers |
Within a few minutes of meeting Betsy Kippers, you know where she stands.
She’s up front. Direct. Energetic.
“I don’t sit still and I don’t expect you too, either,” she told a group of WEAC members taking her course on closing the achievement gap during the 2007 WEAC Summer Academy, just two days after being elected WEAC secretary-treasurer.
Kippers will fill out the term of former secretary-treasurer Mary Bell, who began a three-year term as WEAC president on August 1.
Kippers comes to the position of full-time release WEAC secretary-treasurer after serving three years as president of the Racine Education Association. As a longtime union advocate and dedicated physical education teacher, Kippers said she is ready to apply her skills at WEAC.
Her list of accomplishments spans throughout her 30-year career in the Racine Unified School District. She has been active in her union locally and at the state level, with 16 years’ experience in union leadership and 12 years’ experience as the treasurer of a large UniServ, along with serving in many other leadership roles.
In her own words: You can't engage people who don't believe their voices have been heard. A perfect Saturday diversion: A long walk, followed by time alone to enjoy a cup of coffee and a good book. |
Kippers has been a member of the WEAC Board of Directors for three years, and has also served as alternate to the board. She worked for two years as a member of the WEAC Budget and Finance Committee, where she helped implement changes to improve efficiency and accountability. Kippers served on the committee that recommended the hiring of WEAC Executive Director Dan Burkhalter.
WEAC President Mary Bell said she is looking forward to working with Kippers, along with new Vice President Guy Costello, over the next three years. “We are fortunate to have a leader like Betsy step forward to take on this challenge,” Bell said. “Her command of urban issues will be a welcome addition at this level.”
Kippers is prepared to move forward, building on the work that has been done under Bell’s tenure as secretary-treasurer. That work starts with the realignment and focus of existing resources on WEAC’s core priorities, she said.
She believes in active listening, encouraging feedback and respecting differences. “Whether located in a big urban or a tiny city, our locals drive our organization and we must actively listen to their needs,” she said.
“I believe in building strong relationships at all levels of the association so that there is respect for all, using a collaborative problem-solving leadership style,” she continued. “As a leader I work with members to identify the needs and goals of the organization. I believe all stakeholders need input into decisions that affect them.”
Kippers has used her dynamic leadership abilities to conduct training in areas such as community organizing and critical conversations in Racine. “I believe in partnerships,” Kippers said. “As an organization we need to identify partners that have the same beliefs we have, then work together to find a comprehensive solution to school funding. This requires a political and organizing agenda.”
She said a primary goal will be to continue WEAC’s move toward identifying its strategic priorities by engaging all members, and then focusing existing resources on those priorities. “WEAC needs to have a defined focus and not be divided trying to address too many issues at one time,” she said.
Through a realignment of the budget to reflect a handful of strategic priorities, Kippers said WEAC will be better able to actively engage members. “I want to be a leader who addresses the issues that are important to our members and be an advocate for WEAC.”
“We are a diverse organization representing a variety of professional education groups. We have small rural schools and large urban locals,” she said. “Together we have a common goal – great public schools for Wisconsin.”
Posted August 1, 2007