If you want to hear young people’s ideas about how we make our community better, and you haven’t been to a CAST student presentation of learning, you need to get yourself to one right now!

Over the past 2 weeks, I had the chance to visit CAST Teach twice, first for the 9th grade Project-based learning (PBL) presentation night, and then a second time for the 10th grade presentations. Students posed ways to improve the school itself, which makes total sense for a school for future teachers. 

On my first visit, I listened to freshman share their ideas for clubs to improve sense of belonging and help people find friends, buddy programs, peer mentoring with art, student-run tutoring, more experiences outside school, mental health breaks, resource closets, ways to ensure students get snacks throughout the day, a re-envisioned library, and so much more.

The buzz wasn’t just from the great concepts students were presenting to their parents, and other interested adults, but also because we each got an opportunity to vote on our top 3 favorite ideas. Principal Ericka Olivarez stressed as we arrived that the focus was not winning, but providing feedback to take ideas to implementation.

But the competitive spirit did fuel some great energy, and allow for some spirited salesmanship. Some young people stated openly that presenting caused them discomfort or anxiety. Having watched our students across our schools get used to this practice over four years, I have seen many introverts grow into confident presenters. But for some, public speaking will always be a stretch.

The 10th graders brought their A-game, pitching digital badges, systems to support students sharing their feedback with district administration, systems to encourage teacher advocacy and better relations with administrators, intramural and buddy programs for special education students, digital restroom passes, child care for teachers during staff development days, and clubs for Sign Language and cultural understanding.

Listening to these presentations, I wanted to say: Let’s do all these things! At CAST Teach in Northside ISD they have built a process for taking winning ideas to implementation. Last year, one of the winners successfully won a grant from the Northside ISD Foundation to start a mental wellness room at the campus.

All I have to say is: anyone who isn’t taking the time to engage with young people in some form of dialogue is missing out on some serious insight about how to build a better future!

Jeanne Russell

Executive Director

CAST Schools