Arts Integration and Expeditions with Personalized Learning: A Look at ASCEND, NGLC in Oakland

(A cross post from the Rogers Foundation blog) In the piece below Natalie Buster, our guest blog contributor, had a chance to connect with Morgan Alconcher, Principal of ASCEND, and Julie McMillan, a teacher at ASCEND, to discover how their Next Generation Learning Challenge (NGLC) in Oakland grant allowed the school to evolve into the…


Real Talk, Real Issues, Real Action; A Youth-Led Dialogue with the OUSD Superintendent

“We live in an age when to be young and to be indifferent can be no longer synonymous. We must prepare for the coming hour. The claims of the Future are represented by suffering millions; and the Youth of a Nation are the trustees of Posterity”.–Benjamin Disraeli “How do you succeed in a chaotic school?”…


Latino/a Student Achievement in Oakland: Bringing Equity to My Community

Maria Ramirez is an Oaklander, born and raised. She is currently in community college and is working hard to make a beautiful and dazzling life for not only herself, but family as well. Maria is grateful that she gets to give back to the city that made her, wonderful Oakland. Last Tuesday I had the…


Fearless Latina Student Leader Aims for a Seat on the State Board of Education

A guest cross-post by Alma Renteria and our sisters at Lacomadre.org Gema Quetzal, a student leader from Oakland, is competing for a seat on the State Board of Education as their Student Director. Gema is scheduled to speak in Sacramento today and give a speech in front of her peers and a panel. She is one of…