NTC Voices: Grace Ayena + Mikayah Cheeks

New Teacher Center

High school seniors Grace Ayena and Mikayah Cheeks are part of the Chicago Public School's Student Voice Committees. Run through CPS’s Department of Equity, the student voice committees aim to give upper elementary through high school students leadership opportunities, improve school climate, and foster communication between adults and students. In addition to being active members of the student voice committees at their schools, Grace and Mikayah are also part of a district-wide high school leadership program, the Student Voice and Activism Fellowship, also known as SVAF. The fellowship is a year-long program where students participate in an intensive summer of learning and planning and take part in stakeholder meetings, conferences, and student-led events. Grace and Makayla have both been part of student-led professional development for adults. They shared their perspectives on how adults in schools can build trusting relationships and foster open communication with students, and what they wish their teachers knew about them.