“I was raised to have a vast perspective on life, and a respect for the diversity of people,” said Guilford County member Saletta Urena.
“I can look through my lens as a multi-ethnic person and appreciate all the wonderful accomplishments that come through resilience and resistance of oppression and prejudice. As a teacher, I pull from my own cultural heritage to tell the story of a people, African, Indigenous and Hispanic, who were unwilling to ‘darse por vencido.’"
During this Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 through October 15, Saletta pursues opportunities to educate on those ancestors and their stories. “For me personally, it is important to center Blackness within Latinidad. Even amongst Spanish-speakers and those within the Hispanic diaspora, there is more diversity than is often realized. Sharing stories of Afro-Latinos, Latinos of African descent, and their contributions feels like necessary work, especially within Latino communities. And that work does not span 30 days – it is every day.” She is so proud of the increasing intersectionality of identities within the labels “Latino, Latinx and Hispanic” here in North Carolina. “The direct immigrants, first generationers; those who speak Spanish and those who do not – are all Latinos and that is beautiful. There is greater understanding amongst Latinos of ‘identity’ and that shows there is a true sense of connection amongst us.”
The daughter of unionized postal workers, Saletta recalls that her parents provided an amazing, supportive and educational childhood and were dedicated to the well-being of she and her two brothers. “There was always lots of love and opportunities for educational development. We were encouraged to strive for greatness in everything we did and I owe my drive to my parents because education played such an important role in my family.”
It is no wonder she gravitated toward becoming a teacher. Initially she considered being a substitute teacher, but after her school district asked her to consider becoming a classroom teacher, her resume was distributed and on Christmas Eve she received a call about a position starting in January. The rest, she says, is history!
A veteran teacher with 21 years of experience, Saletta taught Spanish in Guilford County Schools before becoming the Jeanes Fellowship Coordinator earlier this year. The Jeanes Fellowship program, in collaboration with the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity and the Innovation Project, is rooted in the historic Jeanes teacher program of the early 20th century. Established by an endowment in 1907 by Anna T. Jeanes, a white Quaker woman who wanted to provide rudimentary education for African Americans living in rural areas in the South, the Jeanes teachers, primarily African American women, functioned as superintendents for the black schools from 1908–1968. They worked to improve schools, teacher training, public health and living conditions in African American communities.
In this reimagined version of the program, Saletta has crafted a project blending identities and experiences of Hispanics and African Americans and their fights for excellence through education. “This work will enhance the curriculum we present students, and through greater engagement support the district’s strategic goals to prepare students to graduate as responsible citizens prepared to succeed in higher education, entrepreneurship or a military career. This work is no small feat, but it is exciting and sometimes a little terrifying because preparing our children is important. I am holding myself to a high standard.”
As important as this new job is to her, so is the work she has done and continues to do as a member of NCAE/NEA. Saletta is the founder and chair of the Hispanic Caucus, she has served as treasurer and high school director for the Guilford County Association of Educators (GCAE), is the North Carolina ImPACt captain and secretary of the Divine Nine Caucus at the NEA level. “When I became a teacher, it was important to me to seek out a place for advocacy in my profession. I was aware of NCAE’s leadership within the state. I liked what the union was doing in my school building and became a member to propel that work. Being a union member has been amazing. It has provided me with various opportunities like being an Obama Education Policy Surrogate, a DREAMer Safehouse, an NCAE English Language Learner coordinator and serving as a translator for membership outreach; all areas of advocacy for me. I am someone who is compelled to act, and the union has been a resource for me to do just that.” In addition to her professional accomplishments within her district and as a member of NCAE/NEA, Saletta continues to achieve professional recognition, most recently in her appointment to the Carnegie Foundation’s Educator Advisory Board. “I consider my biggest accomplishment to be my continued love of learning,” she added.
Saletta shared it is an encouraging time in her district, where representation matters. The former superintendent, Dr. Sharon Contreras, was the first woman and Latina to lead Guilford County Schools. There are currently Latinos in such visible positions as chief of staff, chief academic officer and 2023 Teacher of the Year! With the opening of the district’s second newcomers school, the Sylvia Mendez Newcomers School, the first in the state to be named after a Latino, young Latinos can view endless possibilities for their futures! “I am really proud of my district for its efforts in inclusion. Working in Guilford County Schools has been amazing. Yes, there have been hills and valleys along the way, but I am so proud of the work done in classrooms and school buildings over the years that center on accountability, consistency and growth. I really look forward to what the next several years will offer.”
