Episode 26: Empowering Youth Voice, Live From the Bridge Conference 2012

Communities in Schools of Spokane County Site Coordinator Sheri Frantilla discusses how to put youth in the lead as youth participant Keni Beebe and Please Speak Freely Host Eric Gurna listen. This episode was recorded live at the School’s Out Washington Bridge Conference in Seattle, WA on October 9, 2012. It features a panel discussion I moderated on the challenges and complex realities of shifting from a teacher-student paradigm to a youth-adult partnership. I was so happy to share the stage with youth and youth practitioners representing programs that exemplify this approach at the elementary, middle and high school levels including Site Coordinator Sheri Frantilla and youth participant Keni Beebe of Communities in Schools of Spokane County (Cheney, WA), Program Coach Lorena Guzman of LA’s BEST After School Enrichment Program (Los Angeles, CA), and Program Director Sarah Meyer and recent program alum Michi Olivo of New Urban Arts (Providence, RI). Seventeen-year old author and speaker (and former Please Speak Freely guest) Nikhil Goyal provided an introduction, which set the tone for a lively discussion about the realities of embracing a youth-centered approach. Many thanks to School’s Out Washington for sponsoring this episode!