Leer en Español, traducido por El Vocero Hispano
Godfrey-Lee — Going into senior year, Jayden Peña said he didn’t have any plans to continue going to school after graduation.
Neither of his parents went to college, nor did his older sisters, so he said he never looked into it because, “I had no idea what I was doing.”
But Jayden signed up for Lee High School’s new college and career preparation elective to fill his schedule last semester and became curious about his options for the future. With support and guidance from teacher Bianca Edwards, he applied to and was accepted to seven different colleges and universities.
“It feels good; I didn’t think I’d be accepted anywhere,” Jayden said.
Next fall, he plans to attend Grand Valley State University and study business management to work toward his goal of owning his own construction company.
“It’s what my dad does, so I want to retire him and run the business while he’s at home,” he said.
Figuring Out Future Plans, Together
Lee High School received a grant to pilot the new College and Career Readiness class, in partnership with the Michigan Hispanic Collaborative, a Detroit-based organization helping Michigan first-generation and low-income students navigate the complexity of college access through early career by providing support, resources, and opportunities.
‘This class made it easier to be a senior and want to come to school these past few months. It has changed my mindset about college and helped me figure out my plans for after graduation.’
— senior Jayden Peña
Edwards said the district has never had a class that solely focuses on preparing students for college and careers.
“This is an elective; students choose to be in this class,” she said. “This course reinforces that college, and education in general, is important, but the fact that (Lee students) can do it here in school is a huge value.”
The class follows a curriculum written by MHC, as well as organizes guest speakers and takes students on field trips to Michigan colleges and universities. Students work through college admissions essays, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and scholarships, and explore their own identities and goals by completing relationships maps — a visual diagram for understanding personal and professional connections — and vision boards.
“Students are learning what college is about, so they can go back to their families and share what they are learning,” Edwards said.
The class also focuses on developing students’ leadership and stewardship skills. Edwards said they talk about what it means to be a leader, give back to your community and how students can prepare to bring their families forward with them as they gain education and experiences.
Jayden said listening to the experiences of local Hispanic professionals, alongside his teacher sharing her personal experiences, motivated him to keep going.
“This class made it easier to be a senior and want to come to school these past few months,” he said. “It has changed my mindset about college and helped me figure out my plans for after graduation.”
Senior Troy Fox said he took the class to get ready for college and life after he graduates in May. He learned how to expand his resume to showcase his accomplishments and apply to more jobs.
“This class is helping me mature more and get ready for life,” he said. “The whole college process is really confusing … and FAFSA was hard but (Edwards) explained everything. … I’m glad they have this class.”
Making College and Career Dreams a Reality
Several students praised Edwards for her teaching style and being the reason they want to come to class every day.
“The work we do, it’s very different from our other classes and (Edwards) really pushes us out of our comfort zones,” said senior Maxwell Devilme.
Senior Katie Rodriguez said Edwards is their teacher, but also feels like a friend who students feel comfortable talking to.
“Most of us are first-generation college students and we don’t know what’s next,” senior Monica Mendez added. “She takes the time to explain things really well and we’re not afraid to ask questions.”
Edwards said she knows how to connect with her students because she was also a first-generation college student, who learned to navigate higher education without a high school class.
“When I got offered this opportunity, it made sense for me to teach this class because I was them,” she said. “I was a first-generation college student, with an Afro-Latino background.”
She added: “It’s very important to me for them to understand how hard it is to go to school away from your family, but that college is an investment in our lives and in our futures. You’re worthy of it and that education can help make your dreams better.”
Read more from Godfrey Lee:
• Character Counts class hones skills for success, confidence
• ‘You can do anything and everything’
