Reflections on My Public School

The first day I stepped onto public school property was Monday, August 30th in 2010 at 8:22 a.m. From my first day as a kindergartener to now my senior year in high school, my experiences within the public education system have shaped who I have become and who I will become in the future.

My elementary school self would never have known the power I hold as a student in my own education.

In elementary and middle school, I always thought everything was set in stone. We must have been reading that book in English class because it was the best book to read. My teacher must have recommended me to this math class because I must have been at that level of math. What I did not realize was the education system’s ability to change. Unsurprisingly, I had this realization during 2020 when the whole world, including in-person school, shut down. Everything seemed to change so quickly. Our past paper assignments and tests soon turned permanently digital, sports events were now live-streamed, and the curriculum was changing. I realized just how instantly something could change and how the state’s board of education played a pivotal role, especially in curriculum change.

Like most students, I just went with the flow. I attended class and studied because that was what I was supposed to do as a student. I did not question

Patrice McCarthy Executive Director & General Counsel, CABE

The State Board of Education received a report on the Educators Rising program from Dr. Shuana Tucker and two participants from New Britain High School. The students, poised and articulate, described how the program has fueled their passion for teaching. There are currently 15 Connecticut districts participating in the program, with 480 students enrolled in courses and student clubs. Of the 480, 21.8 percent are males and 82.7 percent are students of color. Educators Rising is a student organization with intra-curricular learning opportunities integrated into existing coursework, and a community-based, grow your own model for aspiring teachers. The goal is to provide a clear pathway to increase teacher diversity and teacher quality. Educators Rising seeks to cultivate a new generation of highly skilled and diverse educators by guiding young people who reflect the demographics of their communities and who are passionate about serving those communities through public education on a path from high school through college and into teaching careers. Students are provided with opportunities to explore education courses and activities.