GripTape is an organization that lets go. We let go of the common notion that young people are only capable of certain things. We let go of the fear that young people may not care. Working with an organization that has so much faith in young people, such as myself, has given me so much hope.
More than two years ago, I was asked if I wanted to help create the framework for a nonprofit. I was a freshman in college who was taking Biology and Chemistry in the same semester, so no, I didn’t. But when I learned that it was going to be a nonprofit that would give young people more say in their education, I reluctantly agreed. It was one of the best decisions I have made so far. Since then, I have been a member of GripTape’s Youth Leadership Board. The number of projects we have overseen, operations we have handled and documents we have created is unreal. The ideas that our Youth Leadership Board comes up with are the ones that get implemented. We are the ones who make the decisions. Youth leading youth.
Shaping the Future of American Public Education: What’s Next for Changemakers?© looks at key questions about the impacts of our collective efforts to improve American public education. This infographic illustrates the four scenarios from that paper and offers strategic considerations for discussion.
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As much as this may sound like a dream (and it is), a great deal of hard work and organization goes into what we do. We have constructed our own framework for youth agency, and we bring it to life with our program that awards young people up to $500 to pursue any type of learning. Hundreds of young people have engaged in learning challenges since we first came together. Every now and then, we even represent GripTape at conferences around the country. All of this gets done with careful planning, genuine transparency and fearlessness. My advice to any young person or adult who wishes to do something similar to us: have no fear. If you truly believe in what youth are capable of, you should be comfortable in letting us take the reins.
GripTape is already on the path towards making purposeful and intentional change. With the help of our founders and funders, we will help put youth in the driver’s seat of their learning. Consistent support and faith in youth agency is what we have to offer. With that, we will transform education.
Shaping the Future of American Public Education: What’s Next for Changemakers?© explores four possible scenarios of education changemaking and raises strategic considerations for education changemakers and other stakeholders to explore as they navigate the myriad ways they or others might seek to influence American public education.