
Our Students’ Voices
Intern Blog
Our interns’ first-hand accounts of the issues public school students face today. This space is for students’ voices, personal experiences, and grievances about the public school system to be heard. Read their takes on class sizes, teacher diversity, mental health programs and so much more!
Into the woods and out of the ‘woulds’-fully funding our public school
Alex recounts times of hardship and how free lunch programs could have alleviated stress for her and her family.
The Public Education Odyssey: Navigating Challenges and Finding Strength
Natalie talks about her experiences navigating California’s public school system.
The Importance of Retention Programs in Higher Education
Marlenne tells us the story of her experience as a first-generation student and urges us to reform Prop 13 to support marginalized students with specialized needs.
Dream Funding Rotation
Lynda talks about the lack of harm reduction at universities. Too often, we hear stories of parties gone wrong and young people lost too early.
My First Generation Experience
Marlenne tells us the story of her experience as a first-generation student and urges us to reform Prop 13 to support marginalized students with specialized needs.
Bootstrapping in Public Education
Natalie talks about bootstrapping in public education. Time and time again, teachers work on and off the clock, and are not compensated for their efforts. Teachers deserve to be compensated now.
The Difference A Lunch Makes
Alex recounts times of hardship and how free lunch programs could have alleviated stress for her and her family.
Since You Live in Berkeley And You Think You Know Everything…
Lynda shares about her time serving Berkeley High’s Multilingual Program and the support the program could have used.
Teachers Want to Support Their Students, but They Aren’t Financially Able to Do So
Marlenne talks about the importance of funding public school teachers and how the interpersonal relationships between teachers and students will affect student futures and paths.
Education is Magic
Alex talks about her elementary school experience with a teacher who changed her life.
Enough With BYOR: Bring Your Own Resources
Lynda talks about her experience in public schools where she encountered privatization of resources that should have been available to all students.
My Time in Berkeley: What I’ve Learned and What Needs to Change
Morsal talks about her experience at Berkeley, opportunities, potential changes, and what to do to make Berkeley a more inclusive environment.
Public vs Private: The Fight for an Equitable School System
There is a huge gap in funding between public and private schools in California due to the way Proposition 13 changed the way our schools are funded. If we want to accurately compare public and private schools, we can’t cherry pick data. Public school students deserve just as many resources and support as anyone else.
Trump is Stomping all over the Central Valley
Former Evolve Intern Neftaly describes her experience returning to her home of the Central Valley as a substitute teacher after college. She details how, on top of prior disinvestment, the Trump Era budget cuts are harming the Valley more than most.
Overcrowded Classes at UC Berkeley Are Delaying My Graduation
Morsal talks about her experience of delayed graduation at UC Berkeley due to overcrowded classrooms and the underfunded UC system in California.
Underfunded ESL Programs
Morsal talks about her experience as an after-school program worker, where she came face to face with the reality of underfunding in the California public school system.
Beyond Performative Diversity in Queer Spaces
As Jules finishes her last semester at UC Berkeley, she's reflected on the queer spaces on campus where although they have found community here, she still believes the UC can do more to make BIPOC feel more accepted; especially in a time where queer identities are being under attacked.
Funding: An Arts School Drama
X talks about their experience attending Oakland School of the Arts, a charter school which struggled to be fully-funded and often depends on the generosity of high-profile donors. When the money dries up, where does it leave the students?
After School Issues
Morsal talks about her experience as an After School Program worker, where she came face to face with the reality of underfunding in the California public school system.
We NEED Diversity in the UC
Jules talks about how affirmative action paved the way for her mother to attend UC Berkeley, and ultimately empowered her to do the same. We need race-conscious admissions in the UC to ensure our universities are equitable!