1. MARQUES GITTENS & SARITA SIQUEIROS THORNBURG
Why partnering with students is a game changer for your organization Association of Educational Service Agencies Annual Conference 2018
MARQUES GITTENS & SARITA SIQUEIROS THORNBURG

2. It is possible to co-develop a high school student internship program with students that fundamentally changes your organization and benefits students
Our time today

3. Success for Each Child and Eliminate the Opportunity Gap by Leading with Racial Equity
Our region
35 school districts
53% students of color*
39% of Washington’s K-12 public school students (~433,000)*
5,000 early learners
Our organization
~400 staff
70+ programs
We are one of nine regional educational agencies serving school districts and state-approved charter and private schools in Washington. We develop and deliver services that provide instructional and administrative support to preK–postsecondary school systems, as well as direct services to students and families in the Puget Sound region.
* Source: OSPI Washington State Report Card

4. Anisa & Sierra

5. Sierra
“Our project had to do with student involvement in the ESD—I had the sense they were talking to the teachers, who were then talking to us, but they never spoke directly to us. As students, we want to be involved in our own education. We have a lot to say, and the ESD’s job is to listen, understand, and create the space for things to happen.
We wanted the ESD to work alongside students, with the students, not just make something for the students. We decided to build the program slowly, starting with twenty interns serving ten to fifteen roles in the ESD. Now I feel like we’re ready to do more, progress more, and add more students.”
Junior in high school
Marques read this

6. Activity

7. Photo by Antelope Park on Unsplash

8. We disrupt institutional racism within our organization by developing the understandings and practices that move us along the continnum

9. Characteristics supportive of transformation
Inclusivity 
Realistic workplans 
Shared power 
Focus on Quality 
Communication 
Decision-Making 
Collaboration 
Inclusive Thinking 
Long-Term and Big-Picture Thinking 
Conflict Resolution 
Multiple perspectives 
Experience Discomfort
From “Elements of White Middle-Class Dominant Culture” adapted (slight edits only) by scott winn (2010)  from “White Supremacy Culture” Dismantling Racism:  A Workbook for Social Change Groups 
Kenneth Jones and Tema Okun, Changework (2001).

10. Student Voice benefits students & organizations Skill and knowledge building Leadership and relationship development Identity formation
Research base:
Supporting youth voice benefits youth and organizations

12. Internship Information
Internship Name
Strategic Design Qualitative Research Internship
Student Involvement
Leaders in Training (LIT)
Purpose
Learn about research methods Inform Strategic Design Process
Design PSESD Intern Program Framework
Learn more about PSESD & contribute to specific programs
Number of students 9 13 20
Number of Departments 2
4 LTFS & Strategy & Evaluation, Puget Sound College & Career, Multilingual Services
7 Departments
Early Warning, Expanded Learning, Strategy & Evaluation, , Communications, HR, Superintendent’s office, Workers Compensation Trust Unemployment Pool,
Time Frame
4 Saturdays (April-May) + Board Presentation
7 days February - April + Board Presentation
4 Saturdays (April-June) + Summer internship ranging from ~ hours
Grade levels
9th - 12th
9th -12th

14. We disrupt institutional racism within our organization by developing the understandings and practices that move us along the continnum

15. We value and respect youth voice
We value and respect youth voice. We include those impacted in the decisions that will affect them.
20 students
4 Saturdays
10 summer internships
Examples of internships
Leaders in Training

16. We value and respect youth voice
We value and respect youth voice. We include those impacted in the decisions that will affect them.
Students paid $15/hour
$100 transportation stipend
.01 FTE administrative support
.01 FTE executive staff
$11k consultant facilitator
Total cost: ~$37,000 (about $1,850 per intern)
Leaders in Training

17. Institutional challenges
Infrastructure
Organizational Readiness
Hiring paperwork
Student-voice focused
Staff support & accountability
Staff confidence
Saturday meeting space
Staff readiness
Right fit internships

18. Institutional conditions for success
Embedded in a larger transformation effort
Supportive Board of Directors and executive staff
Staff continuity
Facilitator with deep youth development and youth voice experience
Financial resources
Where there was greatest success was where staff shifted their mindset to understand that student voice increased and strengthened the quality and effectiveness of their work

19. Q & A

20. Invitation for support and learning
Marques Gittens
(425)
Sarita Siqueiros Thornburg
(425)