School: University of Michigan

Major: Bachelor of Arts – BA, Education, with a focus on Learning, Equity, and Problem Solving (LEAPS)

Theo’s Why: For my first year at the University of Michigan, my program (LEAPS) had us living on the Marygrove Campus in Fitzgerald, Detroit. Living in Detroit brought forth many vital experiences for me. I was able to observe an elementary classroom and conduct a research project on effective learning methods. I also spent a semester in a Montessori classroom, observing various aspects of schooling, including student and teacher practices, as well as the use of technology in the classroom. Through these experiences, I encountered the unfortunate reality that many public schools in Detroit face. These schools are understaffed, underfunded, overenrolled, and have significant disparities in reading and writing levels. Seeing these challenges sparked a passion for transforming our education system. Stand for Children’s take on a holistic approach to education policymaking, which is designed to positively impact the lives of students, is something I want to be a part of. I want to take the invaluable resources and skills that Stand can provide me and use them to enact change, specifically in Detroit. During the past school year, when speaking with our community partners, they expressed a desire for a greater emphasis on learning trade skills. I believe that my research on states’ CTE programs can be used to significantly help Detroit.

School: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Major: Double Majoring in Business Administration Management & Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, along with a Minor in Advertising

Iris’ Why: I am invested in this work because I’ve lived through what it’s like to grow up in an under-resourced and underrepresented community (Little Village, Chicago). Growing up in CPS, I saw firsthand how students from underrepresented communities like mine had to work twice as hard to access the same opportunities others often take for granted. Unequal resources made it harder for us to reach our full potential, and too often, we were left behind simply because we did not have the same support. For this is why educational equity means so much to me. I want to be part of the change and Stand for Children’s mission is exactly what I’ve always cared about making sure every kid gets the chance to learn, grow, and dream big.