What We Learned— And What We’re Learning

As students spoke, their faces appeared on a television screen across the room — and will soon appear on television screens across the state — as part of one organization’s efforts to let the voices of the youth be heard.

The six local high school students, along with a University of New Haven student, were participating in a program entitled ​“The Role of Education in Molding Successful Lives.” The discussion was moderated by N’Zinga Shäni (pictured), whose OneWorld Progressive Institute is a non-profit organization that presents public-access television programs focusing on education, health literacy, and civic engagement.

The students were prepped with discussion questions beforehand, concerning their opinions on the benefits of education. Prior to the actual filming, the students gathered with Shäni to go over those questions and voice their thoughts on the way their education has helped them in life. 

“I’ve definitely been more motivated to speak publicly,” said Odia Kane, a senior at New Haven’s ESUMS (Engineering Science University Magnet School). ​“I am never afraid to share my opinion in a public setting. My education has given me a lot of confidence in that regard.” 

Jesus Yanez, a senior at West Haven High School, spoke about visiting his home country of Mexico, where many students his age are unable to finish middle school. This he said, gives him perspective on the importance of education. ​“You can really see the difference between people who haven’t been able to finish middle school and those who have gone onto high school and college, by the areas in which they live, what their houses look like, even where they go grocery shopping. You can really tell how education has impacted them.”

Before they went on air, the students were given a quick rundown of the dos and don’ts of broadcasting: Do look at the camera when addressing the audience. Don’t sit in silence waiting for the next question.

On air, Justin Exum, a senior at the University of New Haven, reflected on his educational experiences in high school, and how they changed as he transitioned into college.

“In high school, my idea of college was, you know, I’m going to go, I’m going to play basketball, I’m going to just have fun. I wasn’t really thinking about a career; at the time basketball seemed like the most important thing …Bbut now that I’m a senior in college, a lot of that has changed. I learned a lot over the past four years, both academically, and just about myself. Looking back, I wished I had worked harder in school, I see now that it would have really helped me later on.”

The students spoke not only about how they could do better, but also about how their teachers and the education system could be improved. Evans Genece, a senior at Hamden High School, said he wishes teachers were more open to trying new things for different students, because everyone learns differently. ​“We did something great in math class the other day. Instead of sitting inside and working on a problem, we actually went outside, and measured the flagpole, and solved the problem with real life things. That stayed with me a lot better than something on paper— but others might learn from writing out or reading the problem. Teachers have to be able to adapt, and try different things.”

Similarly, Odia Kane said she felt that school didn’t really prepare her for the outside world.

“I feel like school doesn’t simulate real life in the way that it should. It’s really microscopic, and it makes all of your problems seem like individual problems, and individual thinking won’t get you to the stage that you want in life,” Kane said. ​“You need to be able to network, and communicate with other people. Knowing that there are other points of view out there, and that there are different ways the world might see you is really important.”

Watch OneWorld’s broadcasts on Comcast (CTV) Channel 26 from 8 – 9 p.m. Mondays.