WE Schools End of Year Celebration Yearbook 2021

WE Schools End of Year Celebration Yearbook 2021

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Celebrating the teachers & students who made an impact all year!

One year. Thousands of students & teachers. Hundreds of causes. You did it!

This yearbook is a celebration of YOU and a year like no other: honoring all the ways you stepped up, gave it your all and made an impact. Whether you’ve used our campaigns and classroom resources or joined us for a virtual event, we thank you. Your commitment and passion to making the world a better place for others through service-learning is truly inspiring. Even in the midst of challenges and changes due to the pandemic, you kept going—and we’re grateful to honor each and every one of you! In the following pages, see some of the incredible highlights from this past year and meet just a few of the change-makers we’re so proud to celebrate!

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25 years ago, it started with an idea

Our founder set out to help empower ordinary people, especially young people, to tackle some of the world’s most challenging problems.

He was 12 years old, and after seeing a newspaper article about child labor, he was driven to take action. With the support of his teacher, he was given the space and tools to work on the issue. To his surprise, 11 of his classmates stepped up to help. It wasn’t easy. Over and over, people told them they were too young to make a difference. But they didn’t give up, and what started as a group of twelve 12-year-olds grew into a global movement empowering tens of thousands of teachers and students—like you—to better the world!

All year long, you’ve worked hard to make a difference on the issues that mattered to you, from food scarcity at home, to global access to education, to human rights and equity for all. The heart of all that incredible action is WE Schools. Through our experiential service- learning programs, students and teachers across America have gained important social and emotional learning skills like resilience, empathy, collaboration and problem-solving, all while helping to transform their communities, and even themselves.

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“Passion for changing the world isn’t defined by age! When you take action on the causes you care about, there’s nothing you can’t accomplish.” CRAIG KIELBURGER WE co-founder

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Check out what we did together this year!

100,000 + teachers reached worldwide

You attended 45 + virtual events

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WE Schools participants are from 131 countries

You earned 1,332 + awards and grants

16,224 resource downloads on the WE Virtual Learning Center to learn about global issues, take action and develop professionally

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EDUCATION

Bringing social issues to life through service-learning

All year long, you put your creativity, observation, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to work to solve issues challenging our world. When you combine classroom learning—like building STEM skills— with service-learning, it not only creates a powerful opportunity to make a positive impact, it also builds important skills for the future. Proven outcomes include increased academic engagement, active citizenship, improved well-being, and post-secondary and workplace readiness.

Through our WE Are Innovators program and grant, made possible by Dow, students used STEM skills to tackle issues in their communities like plastics waste and energy conservation and come up with innovative solutions to solve them. In Freeport, Texas, a group of 7 th and 8 th graders created a self-sustaining aquaponic gardening system that’s accessible to everyone in their community. By growing vegetables like Swiss chard, lettuce and peppers, they helped encourage other students to eat and shop local to reduce their carbon footprints.

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JENNIFER FIELD

ANDREW BACHMAN

“When the students start to realize that what they’re doing impacts their community, they’re

Jennifer Field is the AP® with WE Service teacher at Nipmuc Regional High School in Upton, Mass. At Nipmuc, “They’re not just students, they’re citizens,” says Jennifer, who is amazed by her students’ ingenuity and passion for service, the environment and science. In the past three years, AP students have created a bee pollinator garden, a schoolwide composting initiative, and built birdhouses and bat boxes on the campus, all with the support of community partners. Reflecting on this past year, Jennifer says it’s the tenacity of the students that has made the strongest impression on her. “Our high school culture is that students are in charge of their own education. I’m so proud of all of them.”

For engineering teacher Andrew Bachman, giving back to his community is a straight-forward formula: offer your time, and show students that opportunity equals change. Andrew challenges his students at Pottstown High School in Pottstown, Pa. to identify issues in their community and attempt to solve them through the lens of engineering. “Problem identification, research investigation, brainstorm ideas, pick the best solution.” Over the past three years, Andrew’s students have been participating in the WE Are Innovators Challenge. In 2021, Andrew and his students are using their $4,900 cash prize to fund “Destination Rupert.” Extending

totally bought in.” ANDREW BACHMAN

Wi-Fi and building shelter structures at Rupert Elementary School, where many of the high school students’ siblings attend, will provide outdoor learning opportunities, evening recreation and summer programming. WORDS OF WISDOM

As educators in a diverse learning environment, it’s our responsibility to underpin moral and ethical values in our students, so that they become well balanced and good individuals as they grow. KRUPALI SANGHVI Udgam School for Children, India

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Tech For Good

This year, you unlocked the possible

From the U.S., to the UK, to India and beyond, you harnessed the power of technology to give back to causes you care about. With support from Microsoft, you took technology to the next level, using it in ways we couldn’t have imagined, from managing collections for food bank donations with spreadsheets, promoting a virtual water walk with Flipgrid, building bridges between countries with Teams or using Minecraft to better understand social issues. Along the way, you built skills like teamwork and compassion that you’ll use for years to come.

Around the world, teachers and students united to take part in monthly Global Classrooms and Professional Development events. Each event was focused on a relevant and timely social issue, like mental well-being and anti-racism. Powered by Microsoft, the events connected thousands of students and teachers globally, inspiring them with more ways to take action.

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TECH FOR GOOD

“We often think of technology as reducing our humanity, but it should be enhancing our ability to connect.” ANTHONY SALCITO Vice President of Worldwide Education at Microsoft

FELISA FORD

Felisa Ford is a Digital Learning Specialist at Atlanta Public Schools. Along with teachers Natasha Rachell and Ken Shelton, she created Lessons in Good Trouble, an immersive Minecraft experience that teaches students about social movements throughout history, including “meeting” Civil Rights leaders like Emmeline Pankhurst, a women’s rights pioneer in Victorian-era London, and experiencing a Black Lives Matter protest in America.

“We felt this [engaging students in a conversation around social justice] was something that needed to be done,” says Ford. “We wanted to do it in a space where kids are already active and bring it to life for them.”

Check out our Tech for Good resources

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RANJITSINH DISALE

Ranjitsinh Disale, a teacher at Zilla Parishad Primary School in Paritewadi, Maharashtra, India, launched Let’s Cross The Borders, a project to promote peace among young people in conflict-ridden countries, including India, Pakistan, Israel, Iran, Iraq and Palestine. By leveraging technology such as Flipgrid, Microsoft Teams and Skype, and engaging other educators, Ranjitsinh has reached over 18,000 students. His goal: 50,000 by 2030. “Through this project, students learn friendship, to follow the principles of non-violence, to become peaceful and not fight each other, to help each other, to have empathy and compassion for each other and to become global citizens,” says Ranjitsinh.

GRAEME WRIGHT

Graeme Wright, a music teacher at Chilton Trinity School in Bridgwater, UK, helped his students organize a virtual concert to teach them about the music industry and fundraise for a local mental health charity. Using digital tools such as Flipgrid to host auditions, Wakelet to track documents, and Stream to share recordings, students learned how to plan an event. Graeme’s advice to other teachers? “Start with thinking how tech can improve just one area of teaching and what you want it to do.” He adds, “It’s giving information, the way you communicate with students, or how they access learning materials.”

WORDS OF WISDOM

The pandemic brought the entire world together, and our students witnessed firsthand how no issue is isolated to a country. They learned that the digital world, if used responsibly, is an effective medium to spread awareness and forge new associations with people working toward a common cause. GUNJAN TOMAR DPS International School, India

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SOCIAL VULNERABILITY

Coming together to uplift our communities

From hunger, to homelessness and poverty, you made a big impact on local issues. When the pandemic hit, it magnified social inequality and vulnerability in our communities even more. And you took action to help change this. You found so many unique ways to help out, connect to the people around you and give back, such as hosting virtual food drives and water walks—like one group in Florida, who decided to do their part to reduce mask pollution. They created a PSA campaign about the proper disposal of masks, with posters and a video shared at their school and in their neighborhood to encourage others not to harm the environment by discarding masks on the ground.

WE Volunteer Grant

Recognizing youth and teachers making a positive impact through volunteerism. This year, we launched a new grant opportunity: $200 to help groups make their volunteering ideas come to life, whether virtually or in person. We can’t wait to see the amazing things they accomplish!

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IRMA MAGANA

As an educator at Lakewood High School in southern California, Irma Magana goes beyond lesson plans to serve as an important source of support for her students. Her goal is to connect with them, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Irma didn’t hesitate to get a project started in the wake of COVID-19, organizing a small food drive with her students. They collected 10 boxes for the Long Beach Rescue Mission and Midnight Mission in downtown Los Angeles. To continue participation in an annual WE campaign favorite, Irma brought WE Walk for Water online. Recording themselves carrying jugs and buckets of water, her students put together a video to educate others on what women and children experience collecting safe water for their communities around the world.

TEDDY MEIERS, SAM HAYWARD & JACK PHELPS

“You give, but you gain in the enjoyment you feel when you’re helping other people.” Conversations with their parents led Teddy Meiers, Sam Hayward and Jack Phelps to realize the affect the COVID-19 pandemic was having on their community. People are out of work, becoming sick and having trouble putting food on the table for their families. They wondered how they could help.

The sophomore students, with help from classmates and a teacher leading the service club at Saint Xavier High School, located in Louisville Ky., organized food drives to support Dare to Care Food Bank, an organization which partnerswith nearly 300 social service agencies across the state. Bringing their community together to help others inspires Teddy, Sam and Jack to continue to be leaders in volunteerism. “Giving others an outlet to help out makes it so much easier for them. People want to help.”

WORDS OF WISDOM By being able to perform volunteer work, I receive inner happiness, motivation to do more, and humility by witnessing all of the community pride I see ... I believe I receive a lot more than I will ever be able to give. SANYA PIRANI Hidden Oaks Middle School in Prior Lake, Minn.

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EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Helping ensure equitable access for all

You led the way in promoting inclusivity in your communities.

Working together, we can make an inclusive world for everyone, regardless of our differences. And this year, you took on the challenge. With the WE Are One campaign, made possible by Microsoft, you helped make your communities more accessible places where everyone feels included. Through our Advocating for Children’s Rights lesson package, you learned ways you can advocate for peers around the word who are being denied their rights. And you learned how other issues around the world,

like clean water, are connected to access to opportunities like education. We also hosted a Global Classroom event where you learned more about what it means to have a diverse society that embraces everyone’s different experiences and perspectives.

Accessibility is when the needs of people with disabilities are specifically considered, and products, services and facilities are built or modified so that they can be used by people of all abilities.

Scott Michaelis and his student Melissa, from Michigan, talked

about how some students experience learning differently and shared their ideas on how to create optimal learning environments for these students.

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SEDRA & SHAHD ALSHAMALY

SCOTT MICHAELIS

Sisters Sedra and Shad Alshamaly settled in Toronto as Syrian refugees when they were eight and six years old. Soon after, they wanted to communicate what children experience back in their homeland—hearing bombs on the horizon of their communities and struggling to access basic needs like food and shelter. So they began to create pieces of art, a universal language everyone can understand. Through partnering with

Scott Michaelis is a teacher in the Intermediate Autism Unit at Garfield Elementary School in Toledo, Ohio. “Like a detective, it is my job to find out my students’ interests in order to hook them into a lesson,” says the WE Teachers Award recipient. That might mean incorporating board games and sing-alongs, with Scott on guitar. “Much of my work goes beyond teaching reading, writing and mathematics,” he says. “The WE Teachers Award will make a dramatic and necessary impact on my classroom,” providing specialized supplies, sensory activities and crafts materials that build students’ social and emotional skills.

Cute Roots Cards, their art is being turned into postcards that connect recipients to families in Syria and raise money to provide a better life for children in refugee camps. Thanks to their project and the kindness they’ve received from their new community, Sedra and Shad are feeling at home in Canada.

WORDS OF WISDOM I volunteer because I can make a difference on the issues that I am passionate about like anti-bullying and women’s empowerment. If we keep talking about issues that are important, we can work together to make a positive change. FARIHA AHASAN Isaac Newton Middle School, N.Y.

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EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Addressing anti-racism

This year, we launched new anti-racism resources for both the classroom and for teacher professional development.

WE has a long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion. In the past year, economic and political events, along with the COVID-19 pandemic, have shed light on the issue of systemic racism. In response, we focused on developing resources to help you advance the movement to end racism.

Exploring the issue through live, virtual events. With a Global Classroom and Professional Development session focused on diversity, inclusion and anti-racism, you connected with students and teachers from around the world to learn ways you can take meaningful steps toward addressing anti-racism.

Helping students understand and recognize diversity and inclusion. Our new WE Embrace Anti-Racism campaign, made possible by Dow, helps students engage in conversations around anti-racism. Developed through a trauma-informed lens with a focus on youth well-being, it includes activities and resources to guide teachers and students through education, self-accountability and engaging in allyship.

Equipping teachers to support their students and be an active ally. Our Anti-Racism module for teachers is a starting point to understanding and addressing anti-racism and anti- oppression in your school, community and life. With three main sections— Introduction, Why Anti-Racism, and Developing Anti-Racist Praxis—the module guides teachers in a path of learning to critically examining your school’s climate, practices and policies.

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TRÉS MCMICHAEL & OLIVIA KEITHLEY

Trés McMichael and Olivia Keithley became friends as student leaders of their independent high schools in Maryland. Detecting gaps in the school district’s acknowledgment of issues like racism and gender identity motivated them to create change from the inside and bring student voices to the table. Their leadership experience now guides their careers. Trés is pursuing a graduate degree in Arts Leadership

and Olivia is a program director at Maryland Leadership Workshops. This year, their experiences have come full circle. Trés and Olivia were invited back to their Baltimore County School District to develop and implement a program on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for the district’s student leadership team. They’re also serving as subject matter experts on the WE Embrace Anti-Racism service- learning campaign.

Using a love of acting to make an impact

KOLI TENGELLA

Theater and Performing Arts teacher Koli Tengella helps students channel trauma into creative expression. Koli encourages students to use theater and performing arts to identify issues in the community that affect them directly and to lead the charge on their personal healing. In February 2020, students in his Positive Social Change Theater and Performing Arts program in

Baltimore City Schools released a short film called “The Lesson Plan.” The film focuses on four storylines of students’ real-life experiences with gun violence, cyberbullying, and

LGBTQ+ phobia. With the help of a WE Teachers Award, Koli was able to show his students that “school is not only a place for academic instruction, but for their own personal development.”

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WE Teachers

Supporting the teachers who go above and beyond

This second year of the program brought free resources to more

teachers and schools across America. WE Teachers ensures that every teacher in every school nationwide has access to the educational tools and training they need to set them and their students up for future success.

Expanding our library of resources to meet today’s needs.

Connecting teachers across communities. Over the past 12 months, we

welcomed thousands of teachers to our online community. They attended professional development sessions, delivered with the generous support of our partners. We also launched the Train the Trainer program, inviting teachers to take on leadership roles in bringing trauma-informed practice learning to their colleagues through an easy-to-use training kit.

This year, our resource library expanded to include even more timely and relevant trauma-informed content for teachers, supporting them in addressing critical social issues with their students. Topics include pandemic-informed communities, anti-racism, diversity and inclusion, mental well-being, bullying, violence and poverty.

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WE TEACHERS

WE Teachers Award

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!

The WE Teachers Award honors teachers across the U.S. each year with $500 Walgreens gift cards to use in their classrooms. Our award recipients have used the award in incredible ways to help their students and enhance their learning! In Palm Coast, Fla., one teacher used her award to purchase supplies she would have otherwise paid for out of pocket, using them to engage her students in STEM activities that let them explore,

create, discover, engineer, code and more. And in Brooklyn, N.Y., another teacher used her award to support her students and uplift their spirits by delivering supplies to their homes when their school was learning remotely. New this year, the WE Teachers District Award gave 12 school districts in the U.S. $25,000 each to support classroom needs and to deliver training on trauma- informed practices.

Have you signed up for WE Teachers? Check it out here!

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“We’re in this together— now more than ever. When you make everyone feel valued, everyone has

something to offer.” DR. KRISTY DE LA CRUZ

DR. KRISTY DE LA CRUZ

In July of 2020, Dr. Kristy De La Cruz kicked off her new job as the super­ intendent of School District 4 in East Harlem, New York City. “Who becomes a superintendent during a pandemic?” she asks, laughing. But with over 25 years of experience in education—as a middle school teacher in Kansas, an education trainer in the Peace Corps in the Philippines, an English as a Second Language (ESL) coordinator in NYC, and deputy director of English language learners

in the South Bronx—her next step was a no-brainer. Dr. Kristy’s role as superintendent empowers her to have an overarching impact on her district, but she never loses sight of her why ; building equity in the community starts with connection and leading with compassion, with the students, the parents and her staff. Finally, with the challenge of continuing to support her community during a pandemic, Dr. Kristy’s vision is now being prioritized.

It starts with trauma-informed, social and emotional training and workshops for staff and parent leaders beginning in spring, 2021. A $25,000 WE Teachers Grant is enabling Dr. Kristy to build the capacity of staff and parent leaders to create environments at home, in schools and in the community that are responsive to the social and emotional well-being of the students.

WORDS OF WISDOM By being able to perform volunteer work, I receive a sense of peace and hope that we are all in this world together. Watching my students help someone in need gives me hope for the future. SUSAN SCALFANI Patchogue-Medford Schools, N.Y.

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ENVIRONMENT

Creating a sustainable planet for all

You got innovative and creative to plan projects that help the environment. In Midland, Mich., one group of students addressed climate change by creating and managing a self- sustaining greenhouse at their school, with a rain roof that would collect rain and solar power to pump that water into the greenhouse.

You took action this year to protect our planet and encourage others to live sustainably, too! As global citizens, it’s up to all of us to play a role in looking after our planet: because the choices we make today will lay the foundation for future generations to thrive. This year, you took on the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, which challenge us to create a better and more sustainable future. Six of the goals are specifically around environmental issues, like access to clean water, affordable and clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, and responsible consumption and production.

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TADEO FIGUEROA

LA’KESHIA WINGO

“Everyone can make a change, big or small—in the home, in their school, in their community, anywhere.” TADEO FIGUEROA

The more that 12-year-old Tadeo Figueroa learns about environmental issues, the more action he takes. Last year, he learned that by 2050, there would be more plastic in the ocean than fish. Not on Tadeo’s watch. “I want a healthier, better world for all of us to live in—no climate change, no animal endangerment, no pollution in the ocean,” he says. Tadeo and the student council at Aptakisic Junior High School committed to reducing waste in their cafeteria by implementing a recycling and composting initiative. Through research, trash auditing and a determination to create an eco- friendly environment at school, Tadeo and the council continue to encourage their peers to recycle and compost.

As the Family Liaison at Rockford Environmental Science Academy (RESA) Middle School in Rockford, Ill., La’Keshia Wingo unites two of her passions: working with children and growing fruit and vegetables. Together, the RESA Community Action Garden has bloomed into a life of its own. “It’s going to do more than produce food!” she says. The garden has attracted interest from staff, students, parents, as well as community partners that will help extend its harvest to local food pantries in Rockford. The garden, now in its planting stage, will generate community involvement year-round, with an indoor greenhouse and a future recipe book, with contributions from students’ families.

At a Global Classroom event we welcomed Tadeo as a special guest—a 7 th grader who’s passionate about the environment. Along with classmates, Tadeo conducted a waste audit project in his school cafeteria to better understand what waste is created and what goes into disposal, recycling and composting.

WORDS OF WISDOM I don’t volunteer just for the sake of volunteering. Volunteerism teaches a little bit of responsibility and to be accountable not just for yourself, but your actions. It allows you to think beyond you. LA’KESHIA WINGO RESA Middle School in Rockford, Ill.

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WELL-BEING

Taking action to support one another

In a challenging year, you stepped up to look after your well-being and the well-being of others around you.

We introduced new K – 12 resources for schools, helping students join the conversation around mental health and take action in their schools and communities. The Hershey Heartwarming Project Action Grant had its largest-ever number of applicants: 1,000+ youth committed to connecting to and supporting their communities! In the past two years, 950+ winners received $250 grants. Teachers took time to focus on themselves with a teacher self-care event.

Students and teachers from across the globe connected through Global Classrooms and Professional Development events focused on tips and strategies for well-being. Successful testing of the program’s impact continues, positioning WE Well-being as a program of choice for education departments across North America. The learning didn’t stop in the classroom! At home, students continued learning with their families, with parent and caregiver resources and at-home activities to help navigate challenging times together.

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“In this challenging time, delivering groceries and building friendships has given me a sense of compassion and purpose within my community.” NEEL JAIN

JEFFREY CHUONG, OMAR BUSAIDY & BRYCE LUI

When Bryce Lui heard about a Boston organization raising funds to purchase meals from local restaurants for COVID-affected frontline workers, he reached out to his buddies, Jeffrey Chuong and Omar Busaidy, to see if they could do the same, but Texas-style. The high school seniors, who’ve volunteered in hospitals and museums in Houston since middle school, put the plan in motion. They launched a GoFundMe campaign, spreading the word on social media, and applying for a Hershey Heartwarming Grant. Food for Heroes was born. So far, Food for Heroes has delivered approximately $8,500 worth of food to frontline workers in hospitals, police departments, fire departments and local sheriffs’ offices in Houston suburbs, Katy and Sugarland.

NEEL JAIN

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Neel Jain delivers groceries to his grandmother. He’s extended his efforts to others in Portland, Ore., especially the elderly and immuno- compromised. PDX Concierge helps community members who can’t leave their homes or need extra food so they don’t go hungry. The Westview High School student’s volunteer initiative has exceeded his expectations. He’s recruited over 50 volunteers to his cause, made over 450 deliveries to across his community, and made friends and connections along the way.

WORDS OF WISDOM I can focus my efforts on issues like mental health awareness. By volunteering, I have been able to create a plan that celebrates the uniqueness each person has and inspires others to show compassion and kindness.

MICHAELA AUYEUNG Los Gatos High School, Calif.

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WE Schools

For 17 years, WE Schools has empowered students and their teachers to make an impact

From lesson plans to campaign guides, WE Schools is all about experiential service-learning!

Over the years we’ve partnered with schools, school districts and organizations in education and mental health, supporting young people and their teachers with the resources to tackle critical social issues—whether it’s bullying, mental well-being, diversity and inclusion, the environment or the global water crisis. We’re continually evolving the program. And we’re always listening to your feedback to make sure we’re supporting you with the resources

you’re looking for, to address the issues that matter most to you. We’re also proud to have expanded the WE Schools program beyond the fundamentals of service-learning to cover critical topics like social and emotional learning, trauma-informed practices and more. Our goal? Empower youth globally with the tools to be their strongest selves and gain the critical skills to be future-ready and compassionate citizens.

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WE SCHOOLS

Virtual events

We hosted some incredible virtual events this year with support from our partners. You heard from special guests and subject matter experts on topics like sustainability, mental well-being, virtual service-learning, Tech for Good and more.

Through our Professional Development programming, teachers heard from industry experts and exchanged ideas, inspiring and learning from one another. We were joined by special guests such as Dr. Kia Darling-Hammond (PhD in Education, Director of Education Programs and Research at National Black Justice Coalition), an expert in anti-racism, diversity and inclusion. We also kicked off the year with a Teacher Summit where teachers in our community came together to hear what WE Schools had to offer them for the year. We were joined

at the teacher summit by guests including Dr. Art McCoy, teacher and superintendent in Missouri’s Jennings School District and a long-time champion of the WE Teachers program.

JANA AMIN

At our Global Classrooms, guests included 17-year-old Jana Amin, a youth women’s rights activist and Ted Talk speaker, Quade “Q” Marks, a 13-year-old athlete, aspiring trauma surgeon and cancer survivor.

DR. KIA DARLING-HAMMOND

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Thousands of teachers have already signed up for the new platform!

WE Virtual Learning Center

We’re so excited to have launched the WE Virtual Learning Center this year! Our new, online library brought all our programs into the digital world for easy access—offering everything from curriculum and lesson plans, to service-learning action campaign guides, to professional development tools and videos. Find everything you need to enhance your curriculum and help

students understand world issues. You can filter content by grade level and by topic or theme, like anti-racism, accessibility, bullying, mental health, STEM, waste and plastic reduction, literacy and more. Everything from our WE Teachers, WE Schools and WE Well-being programs is included. Plus, if you

missed any of our virtual events, you can catch up via video-on-demand. WORDS OF WISDOM

Caring for those in my community and beyond is a privilege and a joy. I am truly blessed to work with young students who are courageous and passionate about making a difference in the world! LAVONNE URIARTE Steilacoom Historical School District, Wash.

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WE SCHOOLS

A shout-out to our Ambassador Council!

Our WE Schools Ambassadors Council, with members from across the U.S., served as a regional and U.S. national advisory group to advise, influence and connect their local communities to the larger WE Schools community and programming. We’re grateful for their time and invaluable insights!

Judith Breier Easthampton Public Schools, Mass.

Arlinda Davis Birmingham City Schools, Ala.

Donny Faalilu Director of Leadership and Community Outreach​, After School All-Stars, Los Angeles, Calif.​

Alberto and Mario Herraez-Velazquez Davis School District, Utah​

Claudine James Malvern School District, Malvern, Ark.

Irma Magana Long Beach Unified, Calif.​

Steven Pomplon Notre Dame Preparatory School, Towson, Md.​

Deborah Robbins Howard County Public Schools, Md.​

Susan Sclafani Patchogue-Medford Schools, N.Y. (Long Island)​

Nick Tomasso Chicago Public Schools, Ill.

Lavonne Uriate Steilacoom Historical School District, Wash.​

Betsy Yager Prospect Heights SD#23, Ill.

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We can’t wait to team up next year to make even more positive change together!

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Thank you to all of our partners for making this year possible!

@WEteachers #WEteachers