Rabina Anand: Getting Elementary School Students Excited About Their Futures
Rabina Anand
Class 3, Create
What is your Vision for Impact Statement?
As an educator and community member, I will strive to create career exposure and opportunities for all students. Through the process of real-life application and the collaborative effort of schools, families, and community, I will encourage students to dream about a career that ignites passion, excites wonder, and inspires personal growth.
You are off and running with your pilot program! How did your involvement with School Board School impact your decision to launch your pilot?
School Board School showed me that I did in fact have the skills and knowledge to launch the pilot! It helped me identify areas that I need to build and develop, and I knew that I had a group of people who would support and assist me, as we all shared the vision of creating a more equitable education system for all students.
What impact are you (and/or your team) making in your new program?
The program is focused on creating awareness and opportunity about jobs and careers for elementary school students. More than anything, I want students to be excited about their future and the individual possibilities. I am not asking a 10-year-old to choose a job or career and assume or expect them to pursue that… they may, but that is not the goal.
The opportunity to dream, explore, and learn about themselves - what they like to do, what skills they have and what sparks their curiosity- is what I am aiming for.
What aspects from your School Board School training are you bringing to this role?
I am bringing my awareness or resolve to dig deeper and question whether what is being put into practice is in fact equitable. Can all students access it? What biases exist? How do I continue to work to change beliefs and systems that may think college is the only path to a ‘successful’ job? Or that a specific wage income is needed to be happy?
What do you love most about the pilot, or what are you most excited about?
Surprising myself, and probably those who know me well, is that I love the age group of students. I typically work with high school students, but I think what I love is that elementary students are (I am hoping!) just kids and don’t have the pressure to find a job or decide what they want to study or ‘do with their life.’ I am excited to see what interests they have and work with them to further create exposure or opportunity.
How can the School Board School community support you in this work?
As the program begins, lending time and energy to work with students or help create opportunities within the community.
Do you have advice for other School Board School members as they look to start their own initiatives?
You can do it!
Is there anything else you want to highlight?
I would like to thank all of the staff at Parker Woods Montessori for embracing this idea with open arms and working with me!