Dimitri Syros
Social Studies Teacher
ADVOCACY
Every student has the potential and capacity to bring passion into their own learning and use it to fuel the meaningful change that they wish to see in the world. Unfortunately classrooms are often times too sterile and not focused enough on "real-world" value and applications. With this in mind, it is my goal to provide my students with the tools necessary to find their inner-voice and guide their own change. As a teacher it is my duty to facilitate this process and work with students to build bridges in our community. As students unearth the power of their own voices, they demonstrate their ability to translate words and thoughts into actions. Additionally I am responsible for creating an inclusive environment where students feel enabled to speak up for themselves and others to bring about whatever positive change they deem fit.
The two part experience linked below highlights an advocacy project that was explored in my classroom:
Throughout this process my students leveraged community resources to turn their good intentions into tangible results. In addition to working on our academic core and test preparation, we were able to fuse our state standards with meaningful topics in our communities. Students took the governmental issues discussed in our class and applied it to their realities by formulating solutions to some of our communities most pressing concerns. My students demonstrated the value of being informed young citizens and used their knowledge as power. First students met with community leaders and conducted research to build out topics that needed tending to in our community. Finally students synthesized their ideas and created formal bill proposals for our Congresspeople guiding them through the aspects of their bill and informing them why it was of the utmost importance. Upon receiving responses from our elected officials, students became aware that their persistence and willingness to make themselves be heard will play a role in the legislative process.
(Images taken from the public domain).
Habits and Mindsets Dramatic Academic Growth
Part I: Meeting with
Community Leaders
Part II: Letter to
Congressperson
