Waterloo Schools recently announced its new hire, Gina Weekley, as the director of equity, inclusion, and belonging. In her new position, Weekley aims to spend time listening to the students, community, and staff members, learning what they feel needs to be updated, adjusted, and added to Waterloo Schools’ current policies, practices, and procedures. She says taking the time to listen and advocate for these passionate voices is her most integral duty in this new role.
“The essential function of this role is to foster a space for diversity and cultivate a sense of belonging,” said Weekley. “Humans connect to humans, and I believe representation matters. My job is to help connect people with the support they need to be themselves.”
Weekley grew up attending Waterloo Schools and found numerous inspiring educators while at Logan Middle School. She says that teachers and counselors such as Linda Watkins, June Stoskopf, and Marilyn DeKoster wrapped her and other students in a blanket of support and love, creating a safe and welcoming environment for her to grow and learn as a student.
“I knew that I always wanted to be an adult who gave back to kids,” said Weekley. “I wanted to be in a role where I could help impact kids like me.”
Today, Weekley shares her authentic self with Waterloo Schools and the Cedar Valley, encouraging students, staff, and community members to do the same. For her, that’s celebrating her marriage to her wife Aysha Weekley, and their daughter Aaliyah, sharing her own story of self with a sense of love and compassion, and continually advocating for increased diversity and representation for storytelling across Iowa.
“You never know whose life you could save by telling your story. Your story isn’t just for you,” said Weekley. “If people can’t see a reflection of themselves then they can’t be it. But, when you see it, you can be it!”
For Weekley, she says one of the first mentors who truly saw her is Ruth Jones. As the CEO of a Virginia-based YWCA, Jones invested her time as a leader into Weekley, learning about her ambitions, fears, and passions. Ultimately, it was Jones who challenged her with the question, ‘What would you do if you weren’t afraid?’ According to Weekley, that’s when she started to dig into herself and begin pursuing the things, people, and places, that she wanted to invest her own time in.
“She didn’t have to sow into me, but she gave me the keys to life. The greatest gift you can give anyone is your time, and she gave that to me,” said Weekley. “I think we don’t have to know people to do good things for them, it just takes that belief.”
As Weekley begins the next step of her journey at Waterloo Schools, she is excited to meet individuals from all walks of life, opening her door to authentic discussions, collaborations, and celebrations. One person and one story at a time.
