First Lady of Minnesota Surprises Robbinsdale School Staff
Minnesota’s First Lady Gwen Walz paid a visit to Robbinsdale Area Schools Tuesday. The district held their annual “District Opener” to welcome teachers back to school. Walz was the surprise keynote speaker. Walz, herself a former teacher, spoke at length in a talk that mixed humor and seriousness in equal portions. Amid jokes about life at home with the governor, Walz spoke of her desire to serve others, hoping to impart that drive onto her audience.
“My goal was to connect on a very human level. For them to see who I am,” said the First Lady. “And to understand that we’re in this together…And that we all have a part to play. And theirs is an important part.”
The First Lady spoke frankly about being what she described as a “white woman of privilege,” and how recognition of that status informs her dealings with the community. It was a sentiment that Robbinsdale’s superintendent appreciated.
“I thought the way she brought it in there and then became vulnerable about her being a white female of privilege… She gave individuals permission to be vulnerable,” said Carlton Jenkins, superintendent. “It was wonderful for her to do that because we’ve been talking about, how are we vulnerable in our schools and our communities right now. This was a message that was needed.”
Robbinsdale Area Schools begin classes on September 3rd.
