Hannah Frolich: Prepares to Lead a Classroom
You served as School Board School’s 2021 fall intern from Miami University. During this time, you worked on a variety of projects that supported both Class 4’s programming and our ongoing member support. What were some of your key learnings during this time?
I learned that community is so important.
The School Board School community is extremely supportive of one another, and their support for me, and each other, made me realize that having a community of people who are all working together for a common goal makes all of the difference.
While you did not officially create a Vision for Impact statement, did your time at School Board School make you think about the impact you want to make?
Absolutely! I am a member of the Urban Cohort at Miami University and part of what we do is YPAR (Youth-led Participatory Action Research) with youth in CPS. I would love to bring this kind of work to my hometown, Canton, Ohio, and start implementing YPAR there. A long-term goal is to share YPAR all around the country!
How did your involvement with School Board School impact your involvement in this work?
School Board School showed me that change really can be made. In working with previous class members on their Member Bios, I realized how many great and extremely important things class members have done. It made me realize that I can really make change too!
You are about to start student teaching! Tell us a little bit about why you want to be a teacher.
I love people, and I love learning! I think that a huge part of teaching is also being a continuous learner. As a teacher, you’re constantly learning new things about your students, new ways of teaching, and kids have so much valuable experience and knowledge to share. I am a few days into my student teaching, and it has really confirmed my love for teaching and working with students, as well as the impact I want to make.
How can the School Board School community support you in this work?
While School Board School members may not be able to help me bring YPAR to Canton, I would also love to expand the YPAR work happening in CPS. Currently, we do YPAR work with Woodward Career Technical High School, Withrow University High School, and Rothenberg Preparatory Academy, but I would love to have YPAR in all schools! School Board School members could read up on YPAR, and encourage their kids and schools to implement this.
YPAR is such a valuable experience! Here are some resources to get you started on learning about YPAR:
The basics of YPAR: http://yparhub.berkeley.edu/learn-about-ypar/
This book, written by the director of the Urban Cohort at Miami and one of the university supervisors who helps with the YPAR work in CPS. In it, the authors discuss specific things students have done in CPS through YPAR work.
I would also love to chat with anyone who has questions about YPAR or the Urban Cohort at Miami, so please reach out to me! Email: hannahfroelich00@gmail.com.
Is there anything else you want to highlight?
I also want to thank the entire School Board School community, past and present, for allowing me to learn from you! My experience with School Board School was invaluable and I appreciate it so much!