English teacher Lauren Wilensky designed this project with her 11th grade students in which they photograph and interview a subject from their high school. Wilensky saw a need to get students talking to one another to create change in the culture and climate. Together with fellow 11th grade teacher, Cassandra Gately, students discover their voice by speaking with different audiences. In doing so they identify the strengths and significant stories within their community.
Then students would write a short story of their subject’s lives and add one photo. The photos and a quote from the person who was interviewed are displayed in an ongoing slide presentations. The short stories and photos opened my eyes to many of the issues students deal with everyday, including their successes and failures, their future aspirations and more.
By teaching 11th graders interview skills, how to listen to others, and how to construct a narratives, students were empowered to move into critical conversations about connections and develop empathy for their peers and neighbors. Students will be exhibiting their work April 23rd as they continue to interview community members to gather more narratives.
