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Greetings Community,
It’s June! How are you all feeling as the school year draws to a close? What are you most proud of from the past year? What is a key learning you are taking into summer?
I am feeling energized after closing out two incredible Street Data Communities of Practice (CoP) in Southern California with dynamic public learning symposiums. I am so proud of the work these teams of educators, parents, and students did together. I continue to learn about the power of relationships and community to transform education. Hearing Spanish-speaking parents share their journey through the Street Data model this year was inspiring!
Student, parent and school leaders from Southern Coast Community Schools CoP
Shane and Jessica shoulder up to facilitate final learning symposium for Southern Coast Street Data Community of Practice (CoP). This CoP was hosted by the Regional Technical Assistance Center of the California Community Schools Initiative, which includes San Diego, Imperial, and Orange County.
In other news, Pedagogies of Voice: Street Data and Path to Student Agency, the sequel to Street Data, will be out in just a few short months! Our PoV team recently launched the book in a Corwin Press webinar with foreword author Jennifer Gonzalez from the Cult of Pedagogy. (You can watch the webinar to learn more about this labor of love, our book baby: https://youtu.be/IuDbC42AY48.) We had nearly 300 people from across the globe present! Canada, Australia, every corner of the U.S., Malaysia, El Salvador, the Philippines, Ghana!
The pre-order phase is critical for the success of a book. Pedagogies of Voice aims to meet the moment we are in by offering educators and students hope, possibility and concrete pathways to student voice and agency! Please support our team by pre-ordering your copy today at:
https://www.corwin.com/books/
Enter POV30 for a 30% discount!
If you’re an educator interested in the inaugural author-led book study, complete this quick interest form: https://forms.gle/
Wishing you all a restorative summer break!
–Shane
Street Data Mini Grants
In our May 2025 round of Street Data Mini Grants, our grantees included two phenomenal educators: Emmanuel Medina who teaches in Oakland, California and Sebastian Kofi Osei, who teaches in a rural school in Kukuom, Ghana.
Here’s an update from Mr. Osei about the impact those funds had on his school, Kukuom Agric Senior High School.
THE ROLE OF GRANT SUPPORT IN ADVANCING STUDENT VOICE, SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH MATHEMATICS
The follow-up grant received for the mathematics project “Mathematics in Action: Reducing Improper Garbage Dumping” has significantly empowered our students at Kukuom Agric Senior High School to use their mathematical skills to address real-life challenges in their community. With this support, students learned to conduct surveys, analyze data, and represent findings graphically, all while applying classroom knowledge to a meaningful and impactful project. The experience of visiting key institutions such as the Police Station, Immigration Office, Traditional Council, and the District Education Office provided a unique platform for them to interact with community leaders and develop confidence, emotional intelligence, and respectful communication skills. Administering the questionnaires gave students the chance to practice public speaking and interpersonal communication, while the final presentation of their findings before the entire school community—including the headmaster, staff, and visiting dignitaries—further strengthened their public speaking skills and boosted their self-confidence.
This real-world engagement has amplified student voice and agency by allowing learners to take ownership of the project, make meaningful contributions to community development, and witness the tangible impact of their actions. The grant has also contributed to a noticeable improvement in sanitation within the school through the provision of more waste bins, helping foster a cleaner and healthier environment. Inspired by the success of the initiative, students have developed a plan to extend the supply of waste bins to 20 basic (elementary and middle) schools across the Kukuom township.
This next phase aims to raise awareness of proper waste disposal practices among younger pupils, cultivating responsibility and environmental consciousness from an early age. The grant has not only enhanced teaching and learning but has also nurtured responsible, articulate, and community-oriented young leaders who are using Mathematics as a practical and transformative tool.
Here’s an update from Mr. Medina sharing how he used the grant funds to support students at Oakland International High School (OIHS).
Mario from Honduras having fun at Golden Tee mini-golf.
MAKER SPACE GOLF FOR NEWCOMER STUDENTS
Post-Session at OIHS is a unique time for teachers to share something they are passionate about and an opportunity for students to experience school in a different way. This class, Maker Space Golf, brings together teachers Manny and Noor’s passion for building and creativity. Students will receive art credit for crafting their own mini-golf course!
Why mini-golf? Because it’s fun! Mini-golf is also an open form that allows teams to use a wide variety of materials, techniques, tools while maintaining a cohesive experience for the entire class.
This grant has allowed us to take students to Golden Tee in Castro Valley. (I personally grew up going to Golden Tee in 90’s.) Going to Golden Tee, on the surface, is about having a good time, being inspired by their designs, and building community. More importantly, this trip was about exposure and access to some of what America offers. As a school for immigrants, OIHS serves teens from poorer countries and families that don’t have disposable funds for leisure experiences like mini-golf.
Our students didn’t just play golf; they ran, they sang, and they danced around the course. It was one of those magical moments that made me appreciate being a teacher and a reminder of my privilege. For most students, it was their first time to hold a golf club. Two students said they thought they were in Disneyland. They got to experience something they had only seen on TV before.
Below are some pictures of our glorious outing as well of some of what happens in class. Please consider visiting OIHS to see the seeds of America’s immigrant mosaic.
Sincerely,
Manny Medina and Noor Ashour
Top photo: Yanis and the girls from Guatemala and Mexico at Golden Tee mini-golf. Middle photo: Noor helps a student in class. Lower photo: Daniela from El Salvador.
Street Data Pod Episode Spotlight
Episode 35: “Critical love is always needed”: Exploring Archeologies of Self with Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz
Our final episode of Season 5 of the Street Data Pod, spotlights Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz! She shares how her South Bronx roots—and the influence of hip hop culture—have shaped her journey from corporate America into academia, as well as her teaching philosophy.
Dr. Yolanda describes herself as someone always ready to take risks, but open to possibility—and her story reflects just that.
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