Excerpt:
Each year, Minnesota government schools close for two days (just before the weekend, of course) so teachers' union members can gather at a conference organized by their union.
It's meant to "inspire teachers," EAGnews.org reported, and the conference includes a session titled, "Using Persona Dolls to Promote Social Emotional Intelligence and Acceptance of Diversity."
The union describes it this way: "Used around the world, persona dolls are lifelike dolls with personalities and stories you create. The dolls become members of your classroom community and children learn by empathizing with the dolls and giving them heartfelt advice on the same kinds of situations they struggle with daily in the classroom and on the playground."