“On the contrary, reflection—true reflection—leads to action. On the other hand, when the situation calls for action, that action will constitute an authentic praxis only if its consequences become the object of critical reflection.” – Freire 52-53, Pedagogy of the Oppressed
I am thankful to have finished my finals last week—but the work is never over, it only transforms. As Dr. Clarissa Estes says in my female-family-holy-text, Women Who Run with the Wolves, “If we realized that the work was to continue the work, we would be much more fierce and much more peaceful.”
I realize that the work is continuous. A continuous process and a serious of cautious and excited “Yeses!” to all the ideas and people and themes that emerge from the woodwork of the project.
This passed week, with the generous and outstanding help of UCR undergraduate Toby Walker, we made nine CLP presentations to the AVID and LINK Crew classes at
My experience was overwhelmingly positive: teachers were very encouraging and receptive to the project, asking questions and providing ideas on how students may participate.
Our “assignment” (or, as teacher Kristin Podgorski describes it, “our opportunity”) is to create an envelope that will speak to their experience as a youth in
The “opportunity” is as follows (later adapted and improved with help from UCR undergrad, Kevin Eldridge):
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International Peer Leader Assignment #1
“My Life, My
With your individual student profile, you will create an envelope that will be hand-delivered to the student in
This envelope should include the following:
1. Letter of Introduction: “My Life”
- Include your full name, age, grade
- Information about your family
- Your ambition (career) and higher education goals
- Your interests, hobbies, favorites
- Why do you want to go to college? Why is it important to you and your family?
- Ask questions to them based on the profile you are given
What is similar? What is different?
What questions do you have for them?
What are you curious about based on their student profile?
What makes you curious about
Feel free to write more if you would like! Be sure to ask questions you would also feel comfortable answering.
2. “My
Your task is to “show” this student what you think
a. Write one short paragraph about what you love most about your community and your life in
b. Write another paragraph describing what you feel should be changed about your community, your city, your state, your country, or your government. What flaws do you perceive in the
c. Include any photographs, items, notes, pictures, collages, stories. Teach them new words, show family photos, or describe your favorite things! Be creative!
* Please include your Indian student’s name on the outside of your envelope.
** On the back of the envelope, include your contact information at PHS (Full name, teacher’s name and period)
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We may have over 90 of these returned to us for our students in
We also had several students approach after class and express interest in participating in a more concrete way. This may result in a possible student organization on campus and a fundraising event with the students there.
In other news, we’ve purchased our domain name (www.childleaderproject.org), have new webmail accounts for our workers (samantha@childleaderproject.org), and a PayPal account where you can donate to us directly!
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