“Send Ms. James up to the principals office” usually has a negative stigma to it; however, in my case it has only opened up a world of opportunity that I never could have imagined, at least once I got over my fear of being in trouble.

For the past year and a half, every call to the principal’s office has been aimed at providing my voice in the educational reformation at Vista High School. In the 2015-2016 school year, a team of eight teachers, two from each core discipline: English, Mathematics, Science and Social Science, and 165 juniors broke a traditional educational mold together within our school-within-a school named the Personalized Learning Academy.

Within our academy the true meaning behind school, learning and the importance of receiving an education was reimagined. 

It’s  our belief that to prepare students for the world ahead school must promote self-discovery, voice and choice, collaborative work and soft skill training.

During the first year of the academy, we wrote a grant to the  XQ Super School Project in order to help us offer this experience to all students sooner rather than later. Below is a glimpse of our story:

XQ Super School- Vista High School

The world opened up in a way I never imagined when I decided to take a leap of faith on the Personalized Learning Academy.  Without the flexibility of this program, I wouldn’t have been given the opportunity to delve into my passions, which took on a tangible form within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number four: Quality Education.

Roughly a year and a half ago, I developed an internship program with a local magnet middle school, Vista Innovation and Design Academy, where I supported at-risk and struggling math students. Beginning in August, I left the classroom to work alongside the Principal of VIDA in order to understand another point-of-view within the education system.  (Click here to learn more)

Fast forward to the half-way point of senior year, where I am blessed with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend the Model United Nations: Change the World Conference in New York City because my teachers believed that I could bring about change in the world, my passion for sustainable development goal #4 and my dream of one day being a consultant to the United Nations on Education. 

The day we left felt so surreal. Below is how I have chosen to share this experience which leaves me speechless even weeks later. This trip will always have a very special place in my heart.

CWMUN NYC Trip by Slidely Slideshow

Throughout the entire experience, my eyes were opened to the sensational world in a way I never imagined. To be in the world’s most cosmopolitan city, where diversity flourishes in such a unique way taught me about the importance of keeping an open mind because you’ll never know what you will miss out on.

To close, I would like to say, “The future of the world is what we choose to make of it as the creative leaders, thinkers, problem finders and solution designers in tomorrow’s world of changing beliefs and ideals.”

Thank you!