Join us for the 4th installment of our Centering Student Voices series, "Imagining 2030" on Wednesday, May 19th at 6:00 p.m. EST. We will chat with three sisters that attend Tindley Summit Academy and learn firsthand what they are each imagining for themselves as high school graduates and beyond. This is a conversation you won't want to miss. Please come and support them as they share the gift of their perspectives with us.

The past year has expedited the need to address a number of challenges in the education system as we know it. Most agree that now is a time to reimagine the face of education. Paramount to this conversation is that of the student voice.

The #CenteringStudentVoices web series seeks to elevate student voices and hold space for the community, elected officials, and other stakeholders to hear from students on the issues that impact them directly. Taking place from February through May, the multimedia series will include student-led conversations on a variety of topics including equity and inclusion, race and racism, and more, complemented with student-driven op-eds, infographics, and other multimedia content.

Live discussions will take place on the second Wednesday of each month (dates subject to change).

February: Navigating Current Events

• Livestream (February 10): "Shaping the Landscape We'll Inherit" [video | audio | recap]
  Indianapolis high school students share thoughts and experiences on navigating current events. What has school, life, and work been in Indy and in their neighborhood at this moment in time? How are they and their friends wrestling with the implications of these and ongoing related issues? What impact has it had on their personal wellbeing and post-high school career plans? What could be better, and what do they need and want from our community? What do they need moving forward?
  • Featured Students: Tramya Burden (Believe Circle City High), Autumn Joshua (Believe Circle City High), Shariah Miller (KIPP Indy Legacy High)
  • Facilitator: Amar Patel, Executive Director, Teach For America Indianapolis

March: Co-owning Our Future

• Livestream (March 10): "Building Together" [video | audio | recap]
  Youths have ideas and perspectives on how we, as a community and as adults, can better support and empower them. From informing school culture and systems to leading community change efforts, they're stepping up to lead in partnership with adults to create the future they envision. What are some of the ways they’re engaging with issues they care about? Why do those issues matter? And where do we need to incorporate more of student voice and leadership in our broader community?
  • Featured Students: Jaret Camargo (Shortridge High), DeAnthony Carter (Purdue Polytechnic High), Clarke Macdonald (Purdue Polytechnic High)
  • Facilitator: Brea Porter, Managing Director of Leadership Development, Teach For America Indianapolis
• Written Perspective: "Leadership is ‘Not One Person, It’s the Whole Group" 
  Shortridge High School junior Mang Hnem Tial (she/her) shares on her leadership experiences and urges us to be actively engaged in social issues.

April: Preparing for What's Next

• Video Q&As: Jordan House and Rufino Garay
  Victory College Prep students Rufino Garay and Jordan House discuss their career aspirations, leadership experiences, and insights on how our schools and city can more deeply engage student voices.
• Blog Post & Video Interviews: Elementary School Students on Career Aspirations and Pathways
  Invent Learning Hub students Alexandria Williams and Hayden Wright share on their career aspirations and school experiences and on how they're planning towards their chosen futures.
• Livestream (Wednesday, April 21 @ 6pm EST): "Preparing for What's Next" [join us]
  Join us for a conversation with Leila Champion, alumna of Tindley Accelerated Schools,  second year student at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, and founder and executive director of The Champion Project, a nonprofit that supports Black and Latinx students in gaining access to top-tier colleges and universities.
  What are the takeaways from Leila's high school experience in Indianapolis? What are the takeaways and limitations of her college experience thus far? How is learner agency taught, and how can educators and the community empower all students to own their learning and future planning to ultimately create the city and world as it should be? 
  • Featured Guest: Leila Champion, The Champion Project
  • Facilitator: Amar Patel, Executive Director, Teach For America Indianapolis

May: Imagining 2030

• Livestream (Wednesday, May 19 @ 6pm EST): "Imagining 2030" [join us]
  Join us for the 4th installment of our Centering Student Voices series, "Imagining 2030" on Wednesday, May 19th at 6:00 p.m. EST. We will chat with three sisters that attend Tindley Summit Academy and learn firsthand what they are each imagining for themselves as high school graduates and beyond. This is a conversation you won't want to miss. Please come and support them as they share the gift of their perspectives with us.

Stay up-to-date and join the conversation on social media by following us at @tfaindy and/or using the hashtag #CenteringStudentVoices.