Edna Brown is a veteran English Language Arts teacher, essayist, poet and social justice advocate residing in St. Louis. She began her career with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Maryville University and teaching adults with disabilities in one of the first community-based group homes in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Edna went on to study social work at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University. Finally, she earned master’s degrees in both Secondary Education (Curriculum and Instruction) and English (Composition) from the University of Missouri, St. Louis.
Coming out as a lesbian about the same time she began her public-school teaching career in a socially conservative school district, Edna sought support at the local St. Louis chapter of GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network). She served on the GLSEN Board of Directors (St. Louis Chapter) in the late 1990s. After transferring to the Pattonville School District in 2001, Edna became active as a social justice staff-development leader, and she currently co-sponsors Pattonville High School’s GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) club. She finds inspiration for writing in her daily interactions with students and hopes that sharing her experiences can help make the world a better, safer, more tolerant place for all.