Empowering youth and adults to reimagine and transform education together

Restorative justice practices changed my school experience for the better. Seeing the model for this practice, I believe that it could greatly decrease the amount of repeat offenses in students. I am wholeheartedly behind this project, and am excited to see it through.

— Student, Twin Valley restorative practices team

Participating on this team was the BEST part of my school year. I began the year, quite literally, in August, during our first few days of inservice thinking - I don't want to be a teacher any more, this system is too broken - I think I need to quit my job. I thought this a lot as the year continued. I am ending the year knowing that I want to keep working with youth, largely because of this team and seeing a new way to do it, and I want to explore changing my teaching role and explore special education or alternative education as a new career pathway.

— Teacher, UP participant

I used to be more of a strong leader, telling people what to do. Now that I’ve learned to facilitate, I help other people to work together.

— Blue Mountain Union YATST student

I love being a member of the program because the people and the older leaders are so nice and were welcoming and helpful... I was so scared that the program would be hard for me but they made sure that I got all the help I needed and now I am one of the facilitators in the program.

— 9th grade Winooski High School youth and new program co-facilitator

I’m a lot more confident now because of it. And there are other factors that play into that confidence. But I think it sort of stemmed from being a part of that group. I had never had anything like that before in my life really.

— Former YATST Student

My experiences with UP have been transformative, to say the least. I’ve gotten to learn in so many different ways and have become more confident in my facilitation abilities and speaking in front of other people. I’ve also had the chance to meet a lot of different people, both youth and adults and make connections that I wouldn’t have before.

— UP youth facilitator

I have learned that youth voices are an essential role in future school adjustments...I have personally learned new skills for observation that include taking in all opinions from different sides, and creating a middle ground...taking a leadership role, and considering all opinions on a matter, helps to open my eyes to a bigger picture and step outside of my own mindset. I will remember that all voices do matter.

— Student, River Bend Youth-Adult Continuous Learning Team

It is exciting to know that I am a part of a group that is going to improve the PLP for so many students.

— Vergennes student and PLP action team member

Being a youth and working alongside UP adults and other youth from around the state has been transformative. I’ve gotten countless opportunities for facilitation, experience, and growth. I’ve been given so many chances of connection with other students, teachers, and other adults. I can say confidently that I’m a much more comfortable facilitator and I’ve gotten so many tools to help along the way. Most importantly for me, I’ve learned how to reach towards things that I am passionate and care deeply about and that I am proud of.

— Twinfield Union student and UP youth facilitator

Cultivating Pathways to Sustainability has given me the opportunity to expand my skills as a leader and share my passions about climate change with youth from Vermont and around the world. Facilitating and leading with other youth and adults has opened my eyes to the infinite ideas that come from this partnership and has made me want to create a similar relationship in my own school. In today’s world, the youth voice is becoming increasingly powerful and I think it’s important for youth to see people their age leading discussions or taking a role in projects alongside adults.

— Harwood Union US student and UP youth facilitator

UP for Learning has provided me an unparalleled opportunity to work on growth both in myself and within my community. I have developed as a leader and facilitator during a global pandemic, and I was able to do so through the support and kindness of those at UP for Learning. I would say that one major lesson I have taken from working with UP for Learning is that leadership is often mistaken for authority, while true leadership looks like uniting your community for the benefit of everyone.

— Winooski HS student and UP Youth Program Specialist

This group, YATST, can make a big change. And if you stay with it, it can make a change in you

— Student Reflection

Every time I attend or facilitate an UP for Learning event, I am reminded why I am a part of all this. I feel like I have never been in a place where I can listen, learn, share and have conversations that matter so much to me.

— Shelburne Community School student and CPS youth facilitator