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Welcome to this month’s Expert Spotlight! We're thrilled to feature an esteemed alumni, Dr. Jaynemarie Enyonam Angbah a true champion for educational equity with an inspiring 20-year career dedicated to transforming outcomes for marginalized youth. Jaynemarie is a visionary force, proven in leading organizational change and creating innovative programs. With a deep commitment to the intersection o

We are excited to share this edition of the Expert Spotlight where we're featuring one of our very own, an inspiring alumnus who has taken the lessons of play and applied them in a big way. We’re thrilled to spotlight Max Fripp, who is making waves with his work at Playworks, an organization dedicated to creating joyful and safe school environments through the power of play. In this feature, you'l

At Citizen Schools, our staff bring curiosity, passion, and commitment to community into every part of their work. Through our Staff Spotlight series, we’re sharing the stories of the people who make our mission thrive from behind the scenes.We’re excited to introduce Victoria Thornton who leads the volunteer and mentorship arm of our work on our Program team. Throughout her education and career j

At Citizen Schools, our mission comes to life through the dedicated people who bring passion and purpose to their work each day. In our Staff Spotlight series, we’re introducing you to the Program team members who are shaping learning experiences in powerful ways.Here we are highlighting Adrienne Porter who leads our Educator Development work. After discovering a Citizen Schools Teaching Fellow ro

At Citizen Schools, our work is powered by incredible people who bring passion, purpose, and authenticity to everything they do. This month, we’re excited to launch a new Staff Spotlight series, introducing you to the team members who make our mission come alive every day. We’re starting with our Program team—the folks driving the research, design, and implementation of our work in communities.In

This month, we are incredibly excited to shine a light on Jason Cascarino, a veteran executive in the social sector, particularly within the education and youth-serving spaces and a Citizen Schools alum. For over twenty-five years, Jason has consistently driven impact through leadership roles in prominent philanthropies and nonprofits across Washington D.C., Boston, and Chicago. For the past eight

This month, we're thrilled to present the seventh and final installment of our AmeriCorps VISTA Fellow Spotlight series for the 2024-2025 school year, a project that has been incredibly special for Citizen Schools. It's been an honor to celebrate and share the inspiring stories of our fellows, and we couldn't think of a better way to conclude than by featuring our newest fellow, Rebeca Souza.A fir

Welcome to our monthly Expert Spotlight, where we celebrate the remarkable individuals shaping the future of education! This month, we are thrilled to feature Dr. Rudy Ruiz, a true visionary and the driving force behind Edifying Teachers. As the founder and CEO of this groundbreaking organization, and a distinguished member of the Education Leaders of Color (EdLoC) national coalition, Dr. Ruiz has

In this edition of the Expert Spotlight, we sat down with Eugene Moon, an AmeriCorps VISTA Fellow currently serving at Saratoga Union School District, whose journey is marked by a deep understanding of educational equity and a passion for empowering students through Experiential Learning. Drawing from his own experiences, Eugene is dedicated to breaking down systemic barriers and fostering an envi

In this edition of our Expert Spotlight, we hear from Julie Rogers Bascom, the Director of Learning & Leadership at the National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC). Julie is a service-learning leader from Minneapolis, MN, with over 25 years of experience supporting youth workers, teachers, and young people in using service-learning to solve community problems. Her passion for helping young people bec

This month, we're spotlighting Annalise Smith, an AmeriCorps VISTA Fellow whose dedication to community empowerment shines through her work with Citizen Schools. Annalise's passion lies at the intersection of nonprofit excellence, mental wellness advocacy, and inclusivity, making her a vital asset to her host site. Through her work, she aims to create meaningful connections between volunteers and

This month, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Marcie Curry, the Chief Program Officer at Grace Place for Children and Families in Naples, Florida. Grace Place operates with the powerful mission of empowering families to build a more prosperous future through education. We explored her understanding of Experiential Learning as practical and real-world focused, emphasizing its vital role in p

In this installment of our Partner Spotlight series, we turn our attention to Gretchen Upton, a Citizen Schools AmeriCorps VISTA Fellow making a profound impact at South Bronx Community Charter. Gretchen brings a unique perspective to her service, fueled by a journey of self-discovery and a deep commitment to community impact. Her work centers on connecting students with transformative volunteer o

Welcome back to our monthly Expert Spotlight! This month, we're thrilled to introduce you to Toccara Huckaby, a powerhouse educator and entrepreneur whose dedication to empowering young minds shines brightly. From her early days as an award-winning teacher, where she earned the title of Middle School Teacher of the Year, to her leadership roles in afterschool programs and her entrepreneurial ventu

This week is AmeriCorps appreciation week, and we want to release an additional Partner Spotlight highlighting another one of our amazing Fellows. Miles Brown is a dedicated individual with a strong commitment to educational advancement. Currently an AmeriCorps VISTA Fellow serving at Creo College Prep in the South Bronx while pursuing studies in education policy, Miles brings a valuable perspecti

In this edition of our Partner Spotlight, we sat down with Leslie Martines Rivera who currently serves as an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader here at Citizen Schools. Citizen Schools' AmeriCorps VISTA Fellows are at the forefront of innovating the future of education. Placed throughout the country, our Fellows are working to build capacity for their host sites and expand the impact that quality learning ca

This month we had the pleasure to sit down with Dr. Adrian K. Haugabrook, a true innovator in the field of education. Dr. Haugabrook is a Citizen Schools alumni where he served as a member of the Founding Leadership Team as Director of Citizen Schools University then Executive Director of Public Policy, Alliances, and Innovation. He has dedicated over three decades to influencing access, equity, a

This month, we are kicking off a new Spotlight series focused on the Citizen Schools staff. Each of our staff members make crucial, daily contributions to activate our mission of helping all students thrive in school and beyond through hands-on learning and career mentors. They are an incredibly passionate group whose dedication to mission-driven work comes through the moment you start talking to

This month, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Vivian Hurwitz. Vivian is a Citizen Schools AmeriCorps Fellow currently completing her service year at Shore Educational Collaborative. Shore's mission is to educate, enrich, and inspire children and adults with disabilities to reach their full potential. Their programs serve students from preschool to 22, with varied disabilities, strengths, an

To close out 2024, we sat down with an amazing member of our Learning Network community, Dr. Liz Whitewolf. Dr. Whitewolf, the Founding Director of eduFAB, is an innovator in the field of education who is passionate about incorporating experiential learning and Making into the classroom. Citizen Schools had the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Whitewolf during her time as the Senior Director of