#StudentVoice Podcast Hāpara

Hear from five students in Ontario, Canada about how they are building equity and inclusivity in their school community through their mission-focused podcast. They share how they are helping students at home and abroad, and how much they appreciate the work that their teachers do every day.

In this episode, we sat down with some of the winners of the Hāpara Digital Citizenship Contest. They shared their digital citizenship superpowers and what they want their teachers to know about learning in a digital landscape. They even taught us a few tricks on how to stay safe on the internet.

In this episode, we meet Alice, an 11-year-old student from Texas, who discusses her experience living with dyslexia. She explains that dyslexia means the brain is wired differently and she struggles most with reading and spelling, but has learned strategies through proven methodologies and her dyslexia teacher that help her. Her mom notes signs of dyslexia she observed in Alice from a young age. Alice's previous school did not provide her adequate support, but her current teachers are helpful and she feels comfortable asking for help. Alice and her mom emphasize the importance of teacher communication and support for students with dyslexia.

In this episode, we sat down with three students from the Irma School of Buffalo Trail Public Schools in Alberta, Canada. When Calleigh, Kinsley and Faith were in seventh grade, they were curious about indigenous culture. So, along with their teacher Jenny Thomson and classmates, they embarked on a years-long journey of genuine project-based learning to connect with the culture and the people of indigenous communities in Canada. They have developed strong relationships with local indigenous elders, experienced traditional ceremonies and visited a former residential school to understand the harm that was done there. Listen to the episode to hear more about their learning journey and the lessons learned that they will carry into adulthood.

In April, we were excited to hold the first Student Voice Poetry Contest. We invited K-12 students from across the globe, and nearly 200 students entered the contest. The results were incredible, with kids and teens sharing their emotions, creativity and thoughts about the world today. Many of the students thanked their teachers for inspiring them. Now you can hear the winners read the poems in their own voice.

To celebrate Autism Awareness Month, we sat down with two students with autism to hear what it’s like to be a student with autism. Oliver, a high school student, and Ethan a third grader shared what it’s like, what works for them, and what they need from educators to grow and thrive in a K-12 setting.

Oliver shares that he enjoys singing and longboarding and that some subjects like geometry and AP World History are easier for him, while chemistry is more challenging. He also mentions that substitutes are less helpful than regular teachers because they don't understand his situation. However, Oliver has had positive experiences with most of his teachers who have been understanding and patient with him. Oliver doesn't have difficulties interacting with other students and wishes that people understood that autism stereotypes are not always true. The interview highlights the importance of understanding and supporting students with autism in the classroom.

Ethan shared with us that he loves playing Minecraft and playing tag with his best friends. He says sometimes things can get confusing at school and he just needs extra time to work them out in his head. He also talks a little bit about how overwhelming the school cafeteria can be for him.