Latisa Kindred

Latisa Kindred, a 31-year member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local #134, has taught Electricity to high school students as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) instructor at  Simeon Career Academy High School in Chicago, IL for the last 19 years. After entering in 1995, Latisa successfully completed her apprenticeship with Local #134 in 2000. She then earned an associate’s degree in Electrical Construction Technology from Daley College in Chicago in 2005. 

In 2007, Latisa began teaching Electricity at Simeon, transforming the schools’ shop to one equipped to prepare students for union apprenticeships. Latisa developed two and three-year high school Electricity course syllabi for CPS and works endlessly to develop course work that supports her student’s needs. 

She has introduced thousands of students to opportunities offered by the electrician’s union in Chicago, and has many former students who are Local #134 Trainees, Apprentices, and Journeyman Electricians. 

Latisa earned her bachelor’s degree in Workforce Education Development from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 2010. Dedicated to preparing minorities and women for the building trades, Latisa also taught Chicago Women In Trades Technical Opportunities Program (TOP) first summer classes in 2014 and 2015, and is proud of the many current journeyman tradeswomen who she met as her CWIT students.

Latisa’s passion for youth and women has been unwavering. Her dedication to trades education was recognized when she received the Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) 2022 Educator of the Year Award.

A loving mother and grandmother, Latisa enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.