In this episode of Optical Allusion, host Francine Watson speaks with three first-generation doctoral students — Ángel Bonilla, Zulekha (Zully) Khamisi, and Serena Camacho — about their transformative experiences co-creating a community project with school children in a local classroom. The discussion highlights the profound learning that comes from centering relationships, cultural responsiveness, and the interconnectedness of school and community. Through their reflections on bridging personal identity, academic research, and teaching practice, they explore how blurring the lines between educators and learners can humanize education and nurture belonging. Join us for an inspiring conversation about seeing the unseen and empowering student voices.