In T-minus 3 days I will embark on another international adventure as education activist and Fulbright Scholar. Through the funding of the US Department of State and World Learning, this grant will allow myself and a band of some of the most ambitious and socially conscious teenagers in the country to engage this journey & EDU justice-project abroad.
The premise of this sponsored trip is to experience cultural immersion, which is an enormous blessing, necessary, and needed in a world that is currently divided, toxic, and racist. However, this agenda for me runs deeper. We are to go to Argentina, stay in host homes fully immersed in their way of life, all the while dreaming up a social justice project by which Argentina shall inform. We will be cooking up a solution-based project regarding fair and just food access in our schools. Pushing this notion that a child shouldn’t have to learn on an empty stomach, we will observe what this looks like in Argentina, San Juan to be exact. What’s more, we will, post-trip, create a project to roll out here in the States upon our return regarding this fair food access issue in our schools. It could change, ebb, flow-our topic. Whatever the case, we will respond with investigations and solutions on US soil upon our return with Mrs. G. & another teacher ambassador leading the way.
Cutting to the chase, even in this post: In light of what is happening in education with enormous budget cuts, fires, and the dismantling of the DOE, this is my current act of resistance. I am going to do everything in my power–pulling all the stops to arm, inspire, and train these teenagers to be the vital change our world craves right now.
With this ultimate crash course, I’m going to pour every last ounce, no drop of organizing, advocating, amplifying, and mobilizing skills I can deposit into every heart and mind that is attending this trip. This outpouring will represent over 20 years of my life’s justice work (both locally and internationally), spanning across my entire adult life.
This isn’t going to be a casual experience—-this is strategic, purposeful, timely, and painstakingly needed for the days ahead.
I know full well that if you mobilize conscious, ambitious, justice-oriented, and global-minded youth, you will unleash a powerful light force that will long outlast you. And I’m here for it.
Here’s what this administration, this governing body can’t take away, abolish, or fire: They can’t take away our ability to organize, mobilize, and concert our efforts. They can’t take away our hearts that still burn ablaze for justice, equity, tolerance, and human decency. They can’t take away the fire in a teacher’s eyes and the flame in a teacher’s heart when they function in the centrality of their callings: To teach, lead, inspire, and change the world one student at a time.
Team Argentina 2025-This is Mrs. G’s current act of resistance. I depend on the youth right now. Forget the adults in this equation—–I’m with the kids.
Vamos, let’s ride. Let’s seek the change, grab onto the change, be the change as our ultimate form of resistance. Requesting your love, good energy, prayers, and support. Follow the journey, here’s to everything I got.
Con mucho amor y justicia,
Mrs. G.
Sofia Speaks 