Essential question: How can we make the transition from public schools to independent schools easier in regards to identity and cultural acceptance? 

My plan for my senior project will be to intern at Olivers Scholars Program and shadow Joanna DeJesus. During this internship I will aid her with planning lessons and grading as well as participate in class discussion and work on planning different ongoing projects such as the “Scholarship” portion of Oliver which is required for students to complete. Joanna also teaches a Identity and Diversity class every Saturday which I will join her in planning and teaching. I will be able to provide a different point of view for the students since I am already in high school which is what they are preparing for. I took that Identity class back in 8th grade before starting at LREI so I am very excited to see how different it is to take this class now as a high school senior and I know that I can contribute some real life experiences on how identity affects your high school career. I am interested in learning how students can understand their identity in a healthy way and what schools should do to make the transition from middle school to high school easier, especially for students of color.