Telling Their Story: Hearing Student Voices

Background:
As an educator for the past four years, I have struggled to bring voice to educational inequities and close gaps between theory and practice. Half the students in many urban areas such as Los Angeles do not graduate, a situation that is growing in scope but not in dialogue from those most affected by it, as modes of student and teacher expression are largely restricted to the school environment and newspaper editorials that expose the harsh realities of school.

Those who are given most credibility are at research institutions, and are correspondingly removed from daily school realities. However, this limited scope does not do justice to the students who fail while the institution continues to function in its regular state.


Introduction:
Art is one of the lasting influences in society; it has the power to permeate into all aspects of society and put a face to the struggles and hopes of generations. I plan to work with my students to create artistic representations of the education struggles and opportunity through a photography and film dedicated to bringing voice to the millions of students who are too often silenced. There are few facets for these spotlighted groups to voice their concerns and hopes about education. I plan to create a space where others can dialogue about education through using the cultural resources and language of the community.


I have witnessed the lacking voice of students and teachers in the dialogue about education. The space that exists in research articles and scholarly work is not one that students and teachers have immediate access and time to invest to become a part of it.


I have entered the dialogue with various projects where students have researched and presented on the conditions of their school, however, this space in research is often limiting and exclusive. Therefore, I plan to add an alternative space to be used in conjunction with theoretical research that allows for open participation and interaction. I am passionate about creating this artistic space to expand the further dialogue to outer limits that others can access and participate in. Rather than simply including others in a space not designed for them, I hope to expand and transform the dialogue and space itself, reconciling the gap between theory and practice.

Students will create a photography series on what it means to attend their school, bringing to light the their struggles and challenges.