Graduate School
Harvard Kennedy School

Undergraduate School
Yale University

Mentor
Carol Burns, Taylor Burns Architects and Rappaport Institute Advisory Board Member and Christine Dahnke, Senior Director, Research, Accountability, and Grants, Orange County Public Schools and former Rappaport Policy Fellow

Agency
Chelsea Public Schools

Supervisor
Dr. Aaron Jennings, Equity, Diversity & Excellence Officer

Description of Fellowship
Valerie conducted a qualitative research project with the Chelsea Public Schools to deepen the district’s understanding of the student perspective on engagement, inclusion and belonging, and remote learning.

Incorporating student voice is a necessary and challenging component of successful educational institutions. Throughout the summer, she interviewed and surveyed over fifty students and twenty-five educators at the two high schools within the city. This qualitative data was then used to identify key themes, trends and potential next steps that the district and high schools can take to improve student outcomes.