The members of this panel took on leadership roles, overseeing a variety of students and children in different educational settings in California, Massachusetts, New York and Tokyo, Japan. From a grassroots daycare that viewed early childhood education as a community-wide project, to an all-women’s college that encouraged the exchange of cultures and type of education systems, panel members facilitated music education to underserved youth, provided tutoring to under-resourced students, and encountered various challenges and questions along the way. While noting their differences in location, groups served and scope, our panelists found common ground through their experiences working for non-profit organizations, their exploration of instructional styles, and community building. We will discuss the adversities they faced in these unique environments and the strategies they developed to address those challenges, and highlight the value they found in unconventional learning environments.

• Journey in Japan
  Mariyah Al Tayb ’26, Studio Art major/Art History & Museums, Archives, Public History Nexus
• Creating Community through Education
  Josie Robson ’26, Psychology major
• Growing a Community: Lessons from a Grassroots Early Childhood Care Program
  Kera ’25, Critical Race and Political Economy major, Nexus in Law, Public Policy and Human Rights, Five College Certificate in Reproductive Health, Rights & Justice