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EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS FELLOW, CLASS OF 2007
Name of Host Organization: New Schools for New Orleans
City, State: New Orleans, Louisiana
Issue area: Education
Sponsor: Association of Corporate Counsel
THE INSPIRATION
My first introduction to the discrepancies in our education system occurred during my undergraduate studies at Tulane. While tutoring at a failing public school, I struggled to assist children who were being underserved by the adults whose duty it was to provide an excellent education. Eventually, the program was canceled because of a school shooting. To be back in New Orleans and participating in the rebuilding of the education system has been an incredibly rewarding experience - even more so because I deeply understand how far we've come.
THE PROJECT
My project is two-fold. First, I provide free legal assistance to 10 public charter schools in the city. Additionally, I assist in the recruitment, training and support of school leaders launching new, high-performing public charter schools in the city.
BIOGRAPHY
Hometown: | Valparaiso, Indiana |
Law school: | |
Making the connection: | I went to law school in hopes of working in either domestic educational policy or international human rights. While going to law school allowed me to gain invaluable experience in both fields, there is undeniable satisfaction in working on improving the institutions of my own country. |
Surviving law school: | I found working in clinics to be the most successful way of pursuing a public interest career. Additionally, devoting all my summers to public interest work allowed me to gain exposure to multiple fields. |