“By leveraging the power of inclusivity, the Surge Fellows (La Colectiva) are provided with the opportunity to be leaders amongst equals and actively participate in authentic collaborative opportunities where individual perspectives and insights are indispensable to community advancement. I strive to be a part of this community that reflects on the intersectionality of those experiences and engages in the comprehensive planning, analysis, and implementation of programs essential to the empowerment of our communities. My goal is to be a steward of change dedicated to transforming educational systems so that students can self-actualize and see themselves as intelligent human beings.”

Ernesto Saldivar, Jr. is the Director of Language Acquisition and Literacy at Bloom Township High School District 206.