Panel 12: From classrooms to communities: Fostering growth in education and public service across the globe
Speaker name: Josie Robson-Toshok
Title: Creating Community through Education
This summer I worked at 826 Valencia, a non-profit organization committed to supporting under-resourced students with their reading and writing skills. As an Educational Programs Intern, I provided individualized support to the students attending 826 Valencia’s Exploring Words summer camp. This experience gave me the opportunity to have hands-on experience in a classroom setting and to strengthen my ability in creating a safe and secure environment for students from varying learning levels and backgrounds. Over the course of this internship I learned how important making a positive difference in my students’ lives is to me.
Speaker name: Kera
Title: Growing a Community: Lessons from a Grassroots Early Childhood Care Program
During my internship in a grassroots early childhood care community, I worked with a small, passionate team committed to both education and social justice. The organization serves infants to preschool-aged children, focusing on age-appropriate exploration of social issues, fostering respect for self and others, and modeling inclusive behaviors. They view child care as a community responsibility, advocating for fair compensation for providers and policies that support families. Children engage in outdoor activities, gardening, animal care, and creative tasks, promoting hands-on learning. However, as a small, self-built organization founded by mothers who struggled with child care themselves, they face all-too-common resource constraints. Despite these challenges, the organization thrives on its organic, mission-driven nature, offering staff autonomy and a deep connection to their work. My presentation will explore the nature of care work and the balance between these ideals and limitations while reflecting on my summer experience.