When I was in middle school, I told my mom that when I grew up I wanted to be “them.”
You know…when people say, “Well, they say that you should drink eight glasses of water a day.” “They say that an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Who exactly are they? I didn’t know. But I wanted in!
In my current role as a Senior Technical Assistance Consultant at American Institutes for Research, I present at conferences, conduct site visits in afterschool programs, and provide technical assistance to states, districts, programs, and intermediaries. My goal is to take relevant information from the research and turn it into tools that help people create and sustain effective afterschool and expanded learning programs.
That is my why.
I want afterschool and expanded learning programs to be successful. I want programs to offer high quality and engaging activities. I want staff to be fully equipped to engage youth in choices and decision making.
Then it hit me about six years ago: I was them. People left conferences and workshops to share with their colleagues, “Well, they say that staff development should be an intentional process.” “They say that you should involve young people in program planning.”
And for breakfast this morning, “they” had yogurt with granola, raisins, and chia seeds. They are so healthy. 😉
Author Profile: @jaimesinger