What It Means to Teach: A Learning Environment Reunion Years in the Making
Shared stages, a lasting bond, and a powerful reminder of the impact teachers and students have on each other.
Last month, I attended another Futures Ignite gala - the annual fundraiser that supports the ongoing work of this amazing organization’s mission to support the college and career pathways of students from undeserved communities (including the school I formerly taught in).
While the event is always a joyous occasion (see last year’s post here), this year’s gala was particularly jubilant because I was asked to introduce one of my former students who had been selected to receive the annual Alumni Igniter Award.
This was not the first time that I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Mayerling Lantigua. In fact, May and I were lucky enough to push the button that dropped the Waterford Crystal ball on the cusp of the 2020 new year from the center of Times Square.
That moment, which celebrated our work together co-founding the Clean Air Green Corridor (and that I detail in my soon-to-be-published book, Learning Environment), was magical, but in many ways, having the opportunity to introduce and honor May as an awardee for all she has done since then was equally (if not more) extraordinary.
Since her time in my classroom, May has been instrumental in helping grow the Corridor from a vision that was the outgrowth of a week-long course to a comprehensive programming suite, including a research program she worked on during college summer breaks. Because of May and Futures Ignite's ongoing dedication and commitment to providing STEM leadership opportunities, dozens of students now work as practicing scientists and change makers in their community each year to solve environmental problems like access to green space, litter, and polluted air.
And because I have had the privilege of writing a book about my time in the classroom, I have been afforded time and space to think and reflect on what it means to be a teacher and how rare and special a moment like the one at the gala was. Indeed, seeing a former student step into, embrace, and be recognized for their brilliance is what teaching, at its most idealistic, is all about and the fact that I was lucky enough to be a part of this vision’s realization is one I will not soon forget and hope all educators have the good fortune to take part in.
Want to learn more about how May and I helped start the Clean Air Green Corridor? Pre-order a copy of Learning Environment: Inspirational Actions, Approaches, and Stories, from the Science Classroom.
Want to support students like May? Consider donating to support Futures Ignite.
Want to read an early copy of Learning Environment in exchange for an honest review online? Message me below.