Cambridge Public Schools

Extra Curricula
Our Truths (Co-founder and Head Facilitator), Club 1, Project 10 East, CRLS Theatre.

Favorite Class at CRLS
STARS is a space where my peers and I have really thrived. It is one of the most diverse and safe classes I have ever taken. We focus on making each other comfortable, so we can engage in deeper work. This is a place where I can feel connected to the world through the work that I’m doing and the work that I see other people doing. It is an experience where people come together and do work that is bigger than themselves. My peers and I have learned about ourselves, the world around us, privileges we didn’t know we had, and things they didn’t know were happening. People come in with one attitude and then leave with a completely different attitude. It’s a transformative process. I think the ability to give people that chance to grow is amazing.

Favorite Teacher
I have had many wonderful teachers that have helped me through this system. It's hard to chose just one, so I’ve chosen three: Ms. Lozada, Ms. Trayer, and Ms. Campbell.

Ms. Lozada is an amazing educator and person. Her STARS class pulls so many different kinds of people together, and represents a truly inclusive and equitable picture of what Cambridge should and can be. She is always willing to hear feedback from her students and strives to always make her classes better for them. Her support has been instrumental in my life and the lives of many. 

Ms. Trayer is one of the most passionate, empathetic, and intelligent people I’ve ever met. She is a huge and tireless advocate for her students, and she truly believes in their potential. She is always trying to make sure her students are engaged and connected to the material they are learning, even when it doesn’t seem relevant. Her belief in me has helped me through high school, especially when others counted me out.

Ms. Campbell is an excellent teacher. I remember one of the first things she said my junior year In my CP History class, “I am going to treat you all like you’re in an honors class.” And she did. In that class she pushed me and all my classmates to do the best work that we could do. She engaged us in the material, made sure everyone in the class had a voice, and most importantly, took us just as seriously as she took an honors class. Her class was the first time in my 4 years of CP classes I felt like I was being seen to my full potential. She is also one of the most genuinely kind people I know. 

What did you like most about CRLS? Why?
The people I've met in my classes are amazing. Our desire to learn about each other, ourselves, and the world around us inspires me and keeps me going. Even if we had a teacher who underestimated us, we still saw worth in each other, and we still found ways to learn what we needed to know. I have learned so much from my peers and they have learned from me, and I really appreciate that. I also loved the support I got from the best guidance counselor / social worker combo in the world, Ms. Wade and Ms. Nathan. They both are such amazing, grounded people and they helped me so much to come into myself and succeed, even if I wasn't always easy to work with. 

Advice to Incoming Freshmen
Finding your true self is hard and confusing, but start on that journey as soon as you can. Fight the fear of being your genuine self; it won't be easy, you might get harassed, but your truth will allow you to love yourself, and people will come around to that. That will make growing to be your best self so much easier. Also try to advocate and speak up for yourself. If you aren't being challenged or taken seriously in your classes, let the teacher know. Take classes based on the level of challenge that's right for you. Don't take honors or AP classes just to be with the people who take those classes; they should be friends with you no matter what. Taking a CP class is not a bad thing whatsoever. Don't be afraid to reach out and become friends with people who don't seem to be anything like you, and be open to learning from them. Don't get stuck in a social box. Find out what you're passionate about and take charge. Even if it's crazy and unattainable, you can make it happen. You have power and agency within yourself. You can change your life and this school if you need to.

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