YDEV 352/3

A few years ago, my former high school teacher informed me that the school principal had decided to discontinue one of the most important subject at Central High School in Providence. It was a course that deeply influenced me in learning more on different religions, cultures, and beliefs. The class was called multicultural studies- a subject that focused on diversity and embracing and celebrating all individuals. Multicultural studies class was a safe place for students to be themselves and to share their inner thoughts and views on the world. No student felt discriminated nor isolated. We were like a family. I could not understand as to why the principal or even the school system would allow this unnecessary change to be made. The devastating news led me to develop an online petition and to spread the word with former and current Central High School students. During after-school hours, the students and I would stand outside of the school to continue to spread the word. As a team

On Mapping Interconnected Care, each teacher created a special method in helping their children maintain focus in class. For instance, Michelle provides snacks to her students. "...She explained her regular practice of buying food for students- breakfast every Thursday and snacks one or two other days a week." The teacher voluntarily spends her own earning money in order to give her children the necessary nutrients. Michelle's practice is a way to ensure her students have energy and focus to learn and actively engage in the classroom. At my internship, I always provide my students snacks. Like Michelle, I want to make the kids feel important and know that they matter. Unfortunately my internship does not provide food which can be one way to improve the reading program. I notice students are more interested in joining programs such as The Reading Club (my internship) if more act of kindness are demonstrated.

As a child, I dreamed of having my own bilingual elementary classroom, teaching and introducing my students to new materials and life-learning adventures. I was always certain that one day I was going to become this amazing teacher. But all those dreams and visions gradually dispersed as I gained new learning materials in prerequisite education courses at Rhode Island College. The courses were not fulfilling to my heart and mind. I could not find the passion during the long-hours of mediocre lectures until I was assigned to volunteer in a school system setting. During my volunteer work at a Providence Public Elementary School, I came across an amazing after-school program called ‘The Walking School Bus.’ Basically, adult volunteers safely walk and monitor students to and from school. Their mission was to create a safe route for youth and decrease chronic absenteeism. Sure enough, I signed up to become a volunteer for an entire academic year. On the last day of

Youth In Action is a non-profit youth leadership after school organization where high school students are viewed as leaders. Youth In Action LEADS with young people because it is strongly believed that they should partake in decision-making and crucial discussions. "Critical for young people to be at the center of change in every community." Youth In Actions participants are challenged and motivated to LEAD in movements particularly in social justice. The organization leads with youth as oppose to instructing them on what to do or how to do.