Meet Anthony Brisson
When Anthony Brisson first came to NEA’s Human and Civil Rights department, very few NEA members or affiliates were asking for NEA’s social justice trainings, which help educators achieve social justice in their schools, close achievement gaps among students, address bias around sexual orientation, and much more.
But as anti-LGBTQ+ legislation has skyrocketed in recent years, so has NEA members’ awareness of their need for support. “People want to make a difference. They want to fight back. They want to make change,” says Anthony—and so they’re calling on him.
Anthony coordinates NEA’s HCR Social Justice Training Cadres, working with about 50 NEA member-trainers across the country. In an average month, he’s scanning his boarding pass 4-6 times.
“It’s exhausting, yes, but at the end of the day, I ask myself, ‘if these trainings weren’t offered, if they didn’t have access to these resources, where would our members be?’” says Anthony, who additionally serves as a resource to NEA’s Office of General Counsel, governance, and state affiliates on LGBTQ+-related legislative and policy issues.
“For me, the end goal is about bettering our students,” he says, “and we can’t 100 percent serve our students, if we’re not 110 percent serving our members.”
Fun Facts about Anthony
During one pre-Covid year, Anthony spent nearly 100 nights in hotels, on the road with NEA members.
Anthony began his career in education as a high school English teacher and college educator in Connecticut.
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