Jeremiah Shepherd

For any educator, advocacy is a significant component of this work. We speak for and in the best interest of our young people. But we also empower them to do the same for themselves as well as for others. Watching a student's transformation into a capable and productive contributor to the world around them never gets old.

I also really like those moments in between class; there's a synergy that happens between students, between students and faculty — it's cool to see the community at work through interaction.

When I look back on the college application process this year, this year's group of seniors has a lot to be proud of, and as decisions continue to come in, nothing is as special as when they receive their first offer of admission. You can see both the relief and realization that they're going to college! It's fun.

When I think about what I want them to take away from the process, I think of two things: to never measure their self worth against where they're admitted, and to always realize how lucky these colleges are to have them as incoming students. They are the commodity, as students, and not the other way around.