Tell us a bit about your journey before joining 4.0 Schools.
The catalyst that aided in my desire to be engulfed in the field of education, public education more specifically, began during my time as an Americorps* VISTA. My term was served at ARISE Academy, a charter school here in New Orleans. During this time I served as the Community Programs Coordinator, a lovely title I gave myself before I even knew what the position would entail. This position actively allowed me the opportunity to understand education from a perspective that is sometimes too often not always heard, the parents. I worked closely with the parents to start a Parent Teacher Organization, worked to get them engaged and volunteering in the classroom and also in the community. After my time at ARISE I soon went on to Cafe Reconcile, a culinary job training program for young adults ages 16–22, as the Job Placement Specialist, and then Tulane University at Newcomb College Institute as the Assistant Director for Student Leadership and Engagement. My journey has been a road that I had not envisioned that I would travel, but it has also been one that has allowed me to understand where my passion, dedication and interest lie in ensuring all children, no matter where they are from receive an exceptional educational experience.
What skills or perspectives are you excited to offer to the Startup Weekend Education (and broader 4.0 Schools) community?
I think the fact that I have spent some time in the realm of education, K-12, culinary/hospitality and higher education allows me to bring a more diverse perspective, in that I may think about various concepts differently. Having spent time in various circles of individuals, has allowed me a chance to look at situations, in a more creative way.
I am most excited about bringing a commitment to ensuring that we are providing avenues of opportunity for a diverse group of entrepreneurs within this community. Lack of diversity leads to a lack of creativity. Which in turn prevents us from successfully challenging the problems in education. I think of it as a domino effect. Therefore, my goal is to ensure that each Startup Weekend Education has a diverse group of organizers, attendees, facilitators and judges. In order to truly find solutions to the problems that are plaguing our education system, our events, groups, people community must be heterogenous.
If you could have one main ‘side hustle’ as we call it at 4.0 Schools, what would it be?
I would love to have a few hustles: Farm to Table Bed and Breakfast, Youth travel program and some type of DOPE sports school (the curriculum would be framed around various sports around the world).
