We all understand the importance of equity in today’s society. As social revolutionaries, we often focus on creating economic equity, racial equity, and gender equity, but what about the disproportionate power dynamic between students and those “in charge” of their education? 

In the adult-dominated world of academia, how do we engage youth as partners, contributors, and primary stakeholders in the important conversations and decisions within their schools? And how do we hold space and create the change they are so hungry for?

Today on the podcast, I'm speaking with UP for Learning’s Executive Director Lindsey Halman and Youth Advisory Council member Evelyn Monje. UP empowers students by creating a youth-adult partnership for change, fostering a student-centered learning environment, and fostering the power of autonomy to our students, creating a socially just climate and culture for all. 

Listen in!

About Lindsey Halman and Evelyn Monje:

Lindsey Halman joined the UP team in 2018 after 15 years as a middle-level educator, leader, and advocate. Prior to joining UP, she co-founded The Edge Academy at Essex Middle School. Edge Academy created a strong focus on youth voice and partnership, student-centered learning, project-based learning, and restorative practices. Lindsey holds her National Board Certification as a middle-level generalist and is a strong advocate for reimagining and transforming education.

Evelyn Monje is a new employee of UP for Learning as of 2021. She is a current senior at Winooski High School and is enrolled in the Early College program through the Community College of Vermont. Evelyn is an active advocate for antiracism and equity in her community. She is passionate about collaborating with youth and adults to understand and address both antiracism and equity through restorative practices. 

Follow UP for Learning by visiting their Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube, or website.

Jump in the Conversation:

• [1:59] Becoming a passionate changemaker for youth-adult partnership
• [5:15] Creating student-centered partnerships between youth and adults through facilitated learning
• [9:47] Empowering the voices of our youth through initiatives
• [11:52] Exploring the “facade of action” in today’s school systems
• [19:45] UP for Learning youth-adult partnership programs
• [24:17] Roadblocks and obstacles to support youth-centered learning
• [38:28] Lindsey’s Magic Wand: Every educator as an anti-racist educator
• [40:47] Evelyn’s Magic Wand: Bringing equity to everyone in all of our systems, but especially into the systems of education
• [43:10] Maureen’s Take-Aways

Links and Resources:

• Youth and Adults Transforming Schools Together
• Getting to Y initiative
• Restorative Practices initiative
• Cultivating Pathways program to work with UN Global Sustainability Goals
• Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Maree Brown
• The Mask You Live In documentary on toxic masculinity
• Bryan Stevenson in True Justice documentary
• Fania Davis’s The Little Book of Race and Restorative Justice
• Michael Jr. YouTube Know Your Why
• Education Evolution episode 56: Familiarity Bias/Herd Instinct
• EdActive Collective
• Email Maureen
• LinkedIn: Maureen O’Shaughnessy
• Facebook: Follow Education Evolution
• Twitter: Follow Education Evolution
• LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution
• Maureen’s book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids
• Micro-school feature on Good Morning America
• The Micro-School Coalition
• Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition
• LEADPrep