Mini-Grant Recipient is Earning a Degree in Arboriculture
“Help from my union means a lot since affording this out-of-pocket while supporting my family – especially in the COVID landscape – is difficult. I don’t have this kind of money sitting around without an urgent purpose,” Gaskell says. “Also, as a female scientist and Korean-American, this is helping me achieve greater representation in horticulture and landscaping.”
In college, SK did some student work in leadership development. Now she’s applying that to her own union participation to advocate for her staff and colleagues.
“This is my first experience in a union. Through COVID, the Oregon wildfires, hybrid learning, the changing political landscape and Black Lives Matter, classified staff are shown to be essential and integral to the district and community being successful. I’ve been working with other department reps in the bargaining openers committee and trying to be an advocate by exploring the different resources we have. I’d also like to see continued and improved practical policy measures through my participation in the district’s safety committee. Having high quality landscaping is a big piece of district safety.”
Gaskell was a 2021 recipient of the Kathy Melzer Mini-Grant for professional development. Learn more about these grants and other OSEA scholarships here.
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