Youth Ambition Pod Cast

My education identity journey began in my undergrad year at Rhode Island College. I was first enrolled in elementary education. During my duration of the program I began to question my reasoning, my why, and beliefs of being part of the education system. As I had the opportunity to observe school setting and working in the public-school system, my passion for teaching and beliefs were fading away? I began to see there was a pull between admin, teachers, students and families. The system saw the students as statistics and teachers looked like ongoing robots that repeated lessons of a book that did not adapt to every student. I noticed from my colleagues that the sense of curiosity and creativity no longer existed. This frightened me, I am a person who enjoys being creative and feeling curious. I like to fill a space with challenges, where students are the teachers and leaders of their own learning space.

Teaching for me was no longer my path, it was not until I heard about Youth Development. Youth Development (YDEV) created a pathway where I had the ability to fulfill my identity and beliefs. I knew I was heading in the right direction when I created an identity map. I noticed that my identity map met with the YDEV’s anchors: purposeful play, care, identity, advocacy and social justice, and leading with. I knew these were the anchors I wanted to incorporate in my teaching and education.

After graduating with my undergraduate degree in Youth Development, I searched for

jobs that incorporated advocacy, social justice, identity and care in a youth space. The job I currently have creates the space for me to instill this in the education system. I am not a teacher but a counselor and advisor for youth’s future. I create a space where my students can be heard, surpass the false narrative of minorities never make it out of the streets. I lead with my students whether this would in college, high school, jobs and or in their community. I let me students to heard and be loud, show their teachers, principals, friend and families that they are worthy for success.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1hXTkJbx3uJBM9RO2Fy_duoNBC_B3OUPltYlYASLxlBM/edit?usp=sharing

This was my first year in Rhode Island Educational Talent Search as counselor. This is my

first time working in the Woonsocket District and none of the less working with high school students. When I got the job, I was hesitant because I have only worked with students in elementary level. I was not ready. As I began to adjust with environment and build connection with students, I began to feel a sense of belonging. I realized that these high school students were “mini adults”. Mini adults that their brains were filled with creative, futuristic ideas that can be contributed into their community. They had so much to say but felt constraint to be who they wanted to be because of teachers and admin. Students would say, “Every day I walk with my head down because I know I am being judge because of the way that I dress, how my hair looks, speaking my native language, how I walk, and my skin color. I am not seen for the things I am capable of doing.” I was in disbelief that these talented young adults felt this way.

 

My students began to open up to me during the middle of the year. I wish I had the opportunity to know this earlier. I believe I could have had the opportunity to create a pathway for them to become more confident in themselves, in which would create a sense of positivity that they are capable of success.

 

My job role is to help students enroll into colleges, universities, trade schools, and apply for their dream jobs. We take the students on different college tours for them to explore of what comes next after high school. I organize college and job fairs to give them endless ideas that there are different opportunities. I work with students and families that are either, undocumented, under represented, and low income. I guide them to become leaders in their communities. Every year the counselors get evaluated by the director of the program. I was told in my evaluation that this year was the first year a councilor has gone about and beyond to help their students become advocate, leaders and prepare them for what’s to come next. I felt a sense of accomplishment but I still felt a void.

 

While my time at Woonsocket High school, I noticed that there is so many opportunities and potential for students to grow. There are different services and programs to help students become successful and grow upon their skills. I believe there is a lack of communication, advertisement and enthusiasm to express on these programs that the school has to offer. Also, there is a lack of knowledge of professionalism and networking. I believe that learning and growing happens when there is networking, professional development and community building to become successful.

 

I created anpodcast Youth Ambition that expresses my beliefs. I invited two special guests to my podcast. The two special guests are both my students that are enrolled in the ETS program. They are both juniors and ready to embarque their last year of high school in the fall. Each of these students have different leadership backgrounds and ideas of what is professionalism.

 

Daishanay is an upcoming senior at Woonsocket High School. She has accomplished most of her goals in which helped her become the leader that she is today. She is class president, certified in teen mental health, 2023 Civic Leader, Narcan trained, won first place in public speaking and awarded Northeast Youth of the Year in the Boys and Girls Club. Daishanay shares her story on how she began her journey. This outstanding youth journey began with writing an important paper on Martin Luther King. This paper was entered in a competition in which she won. Since then new opportunities have opened the door to continue her growth.

 

Dylan is also an upcoming senior. He plays on the varsity boys volleyball team. He is a participant in student council and is certified in teen mental health. Dylan has many skills that can be put to use for his future. I believe since he does not have the write guidance as Daishanay, I can help him build his resources.

 

Each of these students have something to offer. They both are well driven and have ambition to become successful. In the podcast I mentioned, most of our audience are high school students who potentially want to continue their education after high school or join the work field. In order to do that we need to build a professional foundation at the high school level. I followed this statement with a question, how did you start building that foundation?

 

 Dylan responded, “To start off about my high school journey I just want to say that starting off freshman year of high school virtually was very stressful. I was not on track and lost my positive mindset. Moving on to sophomore year back in person I decided that I want to help with the environment in our school.”

 

Daishanay followed with a different story. She spoke how she created her foundation with the writing paper project. From winning awards this gave her to opportunity to grow and network. She build upon this foundation.

 

    They both shared commonalities throughout our conversation. Towards the end of the podcast we discuss on platforms that are introduced in schools for students to help them grow and learn from networking, professional development and community work. I brought up the social media platform of LinkedIn. LinkedIn creates a space to celebrate and share accomplishments. This is a free and space tool for people can interact with each other. One can say that LinkedIn has its similarities to Facebook. The only problem is that Facebook has tuned to more of an informal meet ups and conservation. LinkedIn gives the opportunity to have a professional space to celebrate their wins, network and even find jobs.

     I heard about LinkedIn through my own leadership class. I attended the College Leadership of Rhode Island. Most of the students were from all over the state. These classes helped me become knowledgeable on starting my future business. These opened to pathway to continue with my success.

    Therefore I want to bring upon knowledge of creating our youth to become professional. Help them lead with the resources that they are looking for, build a space where they can network with friends families teachers and the community. Lastly would like to bring upon more speakers and bring workshops. I believe that learning and growing happens from networking, professional development and community work. With all this in mind I hope I can get the opportunity to work with the youth to help them become our future agents in society.

 

This is a link to my podcast I hope you enjoy: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1hXTkJbx3uJBM9RO2Fy_duoNBC_B3OUPltYlYASLxlBM/edit?usp=sharing