Mathew Mauricio Rojas is the Assistant Professor, Practice at Relay Graduate School of Education. “I see the Surge community working in a tangent not only towards redefining what educational equity looks like and being present in places where black and brown voices are often not validated but creating a space where we celebrate radical self-love…
Evan M. Taylor is an Instructional Coach at Indianapolis Public Schools. “The rapper and wordsmith put together his last album entitled “Feet of Clay” and noted that it was composed “during the death throes of a crumbling empire.” I find myself seeking to be a part of Surge at these throes as well hoping to begin…
Keeanna Warren is the Associate Executive Director at Purdue Polytechnic High School Network. “Through the Surge network, I hope to learn to build my strategy in navigating the educational system that doesn’t always provide a seat at the table for people who like me. I hope the Surge Academy will give me space and opportunity…
Chrystal Westerhaus is the Founding Principal at United Schools of Indianapolis, Avondale Meadows Middle School. “I interpret Surge being a movement and not a program. I believe that the Surge Academy fosters leaders looking to not just make an impact but also make a change. I have always felt that I want to be a…
LEANLAB Education (Katie Boody, Co-Founder & CEO) announced the first recipients of their $50,000 Micro-Grant Support Fund, which included the impact and work of six Surge Alumni. Learn more about the initiative and each awardee via this article from Startland News.
2015 Surge Chicago Alum, DuJuan Smith, has accepted the role of Associate Director of Graduate Advising for The University of Chicago Professional Education. This opportunity will allow him to serve as a GUIDE to those seeking graduate and continuing education to facilitate transformation in their lives!
2020 Surge Alumni Charles King and Edgar Palacios have been announced as part of the fifth cohort of the Deeper Learning Equity Fellowship, which is made up of sixteen emerging leaders who will dedicate a significant portion of the next two years to addressing issues of educational inequity in their local communities. This cohort joins a…
August 2020 2019 Surge Chicago Alum Melissa Flores has been elected to the Harvard University Graduate School of Education’s Alumni Council, for which she will be serving for four years. In addition, she has also been elected as Vice-Chair on the Membership Committee for the Harvard Latino Alumni Alliance. Through her roles, she will support recruitment efforts,…
2019 Surge Chicago Alum Melissa Flores has been elected to the Harvard University Graduate School of Education’s Alumni Council, for which she will be serving for four years. In addition, she has also been elected as Vice-Chair on the Membership Committee for the Harvard Latino Alumni Alliance. Through her roles, she will support recruitment efforts, serve as…
Brianna Winn is the Director of Alder Bay Teacher Residency at Alder Graduate School of Education at Envision Education. “I’m looking for lifelong connection and collaboration with educators who are just as committed as I am to securing the best educational outcomes for the students in our communities. I have never been a part of a…