35. Once Students Feel Safe Opening Up, Real Progress Can Begin

In this edition of Education Disruption, we’re featuring stories of success and challenge as told by Map students in their own words — a final capstone project before their graduation.

In this episode, we hear from Javon, a recent Map graduate. At his previous schools, Javon was distracted, wasn’t getting the right support from his teachers, and got caught up in friendships that weren’t serving him. At first, he was hesitant to open up to the staff at Map, but after they earned Javon’s trust, he reconnected with his education and goals. Now, he’s committed to applying what he has learned to motivate current and future Map students. “I care about all the kids here at Map. I see potential in all of them,” Javon says. “I know that they can do whatever they want to do, but they got to use the assets that they have in this building.”

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Education Disruption is a podcast by Map Academy — a free, public charter high school open to all Massachusetts students.

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