On March 21, seniors Alayah Benjamin and Armani Bailey, the writers of this article, had the honor to attend the Albert Shanker Institute’s Passion Meets Purpose Conference. We worked as true journalists, writing down key points, asking questions, and getting interviewed, and we were honored to meet Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland. Below are our personal insights and huge takeaways from our informational and special experience.
Alayah:
The conference was one of the best opportunities I’ve had my entire senior year. To be able to be in the shoes of a journalist was a once-in-a-life-time experience.
The Albert Shanker Institute helps advocate for a better education system for both students and teachers. During the conference I was able to listen to the many things that educators, lawmakers, and elected officials are doing to change the teaching environment and lifestyle of students.
One of my favorite keynote speakers was Valerie Holthus, president of the Anoka Hennepin Education Association in Minnesota. Holthus discussed her own personal teaching experience creating the STEP Program. The STEP program is a program that encourages teens to do activities like cooking, washing clothes, doing hair, welding and other basic need activities so we “don’t leave students direction-less.” With these activities, teachers are able to help students get an experience with real-life situations for their future.
I believe this is a wonderful program. Holthus, a general counsel, education advocate and pragmatic idealist, has given students several pathways after high school beyond the typical idea of going to college and getting a degree.
Armani:
Throughout the conference, many educators talked about how they strongly believe success among students starts with teachers utilizing more hands-on learning.
Governor Moore of Maryland discussed how he wanted more programs in high schools that offer certificates and licenses for students who know they are not going to attend college.
I believe this is profoundly one of the most useful things he could do for the youth now. Many students are struggling to pay for college and believe they could do something else such as IT, plumbing, and other industrial jobs. As high schools provide more certificate programs within the school, students will be more confident in starting their career after high school.
Many of the conference speakers agreed that students should be able to feel successful whether they are going to college or not. They also noted that students who plan to to go college should not be the only focus and priority of a high school.
I had the chance to be interviewed by a member of the media who works with the Albert Shanker Institute. We discussed my experience at Benjamin Banneker High School and being able to come to this conference.
This was a beautiful experience. This opportunity helped give me more insight on my future career within media communications and journalism as I am able to know more interviewing techniques, how to take notes, and the right questions to ask.
