Student Voices
2019 Summer Internship
During our summer internship pilot, 21 student interns from across the Twin Cities metro were hired to conduct research and share their perspectives on what’s not working in education, as well as to provide recommendations on what needs to change in order to transform the current factory-model of schooling. The interns shared their remarkable and personal work at a symposium in August of 2019, providing proof of our concept.
2019 Student Research Projects
Adnan Jeilani
STUDENT INTERN, SUMMER 2019
ST. LOUIS PARK HIGH SCHOOL
Implementing Social and Emotional Learning Programs In School
“I wrote an essay on implementing SEL programs in schools. SEL stands for Social and Emotional Learning and it just gives student time to talk to their teachers and have a voice out there.”
Research Project: Implementing Social and Emotional Learning Programs in School
Aidan Schaefer
STUDENT INTERN, SUMMER 2019
Washburn High School
Overcrowding in Classes
“My dream school is a place where everyone has the capability and environment to be successful. Thrive Ed gave me an opportunity to share how I imagine school should be.”
Research Project: Overcrowding in Classes
Anyia Bailey
STUDENT INTERN, SUMMER 2019
Twin Cities Academy
Institutional Racism in Education
“In my dream school I would want to see every form of equality; social equality, racial equality, etc. Also I would want to close the opportunity gap, see mutual respect between staff and students, more freedom and choices for students — and better food.”
Perspective Piece: Institutional Racism in Education
Antonio Perez
STUDENT INTERN, SUMMER 2019
Hopkins West Junior High School
Institutional Racism in Education
“I chose Thrive Ed because I thought that it was a very good opportunity to give my input on how I can help to change schools for the better.”
Creative Writing Project: Video Discussion
Ava Shirley
STUDENT INTERN, SUMMER 2019
Delasalle High School
Why Personalized Learning?
“Thrive Ed focuses on amplifying the voice of students. They create a platform for students not just to share their experiences or problems with the system, but also to suggest change and influence the foundation of a dream school.”
Research Project: Why Personalized Learning?
Donia Au Ammo
STUDENT INTERN, SUMMER 2019
Columbia Heights High School
Importance of Welcoming Community
“In my dream school I would establish a study hall for students to catch up on any homework they didn’t have time to finish and I would also make sure there are tutors to help the students in classrooms or in the study hall."
Perspective Piece: Importance of Welcoming Community
Emily Hawari-Grieder
STUDENT INTERN, SUMMER 2019
Hopkins High School
Mental Health in Schools
“In my dream school, classes are interesting and engaging, and everyone can, at the bare minimum, feel safe at their school! I believe that schools need to do a better job supporting their students’ mental health..”
Research Project: Mental Health in Schools
Hope Hanson
STUDENT INTERN, SUMMER 2019
Hopkins High School
Alternative Learning Is...
“In my dream school, everything would make sense.”
Creative Writing Project: Alternative Learning Is...
Jazzlyn Eubanks
STUDENT INTERN, SUMMER 2019
SAINT PAUL CONSERVATORY FOR PERFORMING ARTS
Blackness 365 Days a Year
“I want to make a difference in the school system by
expressing how I feel — and what school means for me.”
Creative Writing Project: Blackness 365 Days a Year and I am From
Kelby Roberts
STUDENT INTERN, SUMMER 2019
HOPKINS WEST JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Institutional Racism in Education
“As a biracial student, my dream school would have teachers who look like me — so that I can relate to them. I would also like to celebrate Black History Month very differently.”
Creative Writing Project: "I am from" poem
Khalen Pierre-Toussaint
STUDENT INTERN, SUMMER 2019
NORTH HOPKINS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Implementing Social and Emotional
Learning Programs In School
“I feel like I have the confidence now to tell teachers what I think and what we should change about our education.”
Perspective Piece: “Why do kids tend to sit with their own race or kind?”
La’Mya Menifee
STUDENT INTERN, SUMMER 2019
HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL
Middle Ground Prompts
“My dream school would be an open space where
teachers and students could come together to make
school, not just educational, but also enjoyable for
everyone.”
Interactive Project: Middle Ground Prompts
Melina Parker
STUDENT INTERN, SUMMER 2019
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL
Don’t believe what you’re told. Try to figure things out for yourself.
“In my dream school, people can be themselves so that they can find their own path and triumph at what they do.”
Creative Writing Project: Monster Friends
Nathaniel Demisse Genene
STUDENT INTERN, SUMMER 2019
WASHBURN HIGH SCHOOL
Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Education
“The biggest difference was that instead of working for adults, we were working with adults.”
Research Project: Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Education
Nickolas Dane Bogan
STUDENT INTERN, SUMMER 2019
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL
Understanding the Effects of Classroom Relationships
“The awareness that a teacher cares about your success and will go out of their way to help you out is enough to change someone’s approach to a class, or even school itself. For many, this need is not met and its influence reaches far beyond the classroom.”
Project: Understanding the Effects of Classroom
Relationships
Peyton Fwjchim Thao
STUDENT INTERN, SUMMER 2019
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL
Original Thrive Ed Website
“In my dream school, classes would help students with real-life tasks, like learning what’s involved in filing taxes, paying back student loans or building a credit history. Mental health classes and guidance would also be beneficial.”
Project: Original Thrive Ed website
Quinn Roberts
STUDENT INTERN, SUMMER 2019
HOPKINS WEST HIGH SCHOOL
“My Racial Disparity Story” and “Biracial Perspectives”
“In my dream school I would have more opportunities created for all students no matter their race, religion or gender.”
Perspective Pieces: “My Racial Disparity Story” and “Biracial Perspectives”Original Thrive Ed website
Savanah Graham
STUDENT INTERN, SUMMER 2019
HOPKINS HIGH SCHOOL
How My Alternative Program Saved My High School Career
“In my dream school I would have no school cops or SROs at all (especially ones that carry guns and have no training in dealing with high school students.)”
Perspective Pieces: How My Alternative Program Saved My High School Career
Shaina Anders
STUDENT INTERN, SUMMER 2019
HOPKINS HIGH SCHOOL
Schools are failing us
“In my dream school, I want teachers that actually care about their students and will teach them relevant things.”
Creative Writing Project: Schools are failing us
Teontay Bryson
STUDENT INTERN, SUMMER 2019
ST. LOUIS PARK HIGH SCHOOL
The Impact of Teacher Student Relationships
“In my dream school there would be no drama, no problems. It would just be students coming to learn and teachers making an effort to support their students in any shape or form so that they can reach their full potential."
Research Project: The Impact of Teacher Student
Relationships
Zachary Nelson Stanton
STUDENT INTERN, SUMMER 2019
PERFORMING INSTITUTE OF MINNESOTA ARTS HIGH SCHOOL
"In my dream school, I would have more opportunities for different students to utilize their diverse learning styles."
Research Project: Video Discussion participant