In 2020, 44% of students successfully met the early learning reading standards, while 36% achieved the middle school math benchmarks. Additionally, 48% of students obtained a post-secondary credential. Elevate, the organization I’ve had the privilege to work with for the last seven months, is dedicated to positively changing these statistics. Elevate is a collective impact organization committed to breaking down barriers to student success and fostering a more cohesive educational pipeline across Columbia, Walla Walla counties, and the Milton-Freewater area.
In the last seven months, my contributions have ranged from drafting a strategic plan to curating social media content. Recently, I’ve been deeply involved in working on deliverables for an Early Learning grant. Our aim is to bolster the workforce and infrastructure in the region, amplifying educational opportunities. This internship has been a window into the intricacies of the Walla Walla area, allowing me to engage with diverse individuals—from university presidents and superintendents to dedicated nonprofit professionals and education enthusiasts. These interactions have enriched my understanding of the community and the educational landscape, inspiring me to pursue impactful change.
When given the opportunity to talk to peers about their experiences with internships one thing is always apparent: they are life changing. However for many, internships tell them about the work they never want to do again. I feel lucky that this has not been the case with Elevate. The staff is made up of accomplished women who inspire me whenever I go into the office. I feel that I have been given the chance to do meaningful work that is representative of the types of responsibilities after college. As a senior at Whitman I am in the process of thinking about what I want to do after college. My current hope is to teach English for a few years and then pursue a career in educational administration.
This is a photo from a Halloween drive that Elevate participated in. I was able to spend a few hours passing out candy and talking to parents about some of the resources that Elevate has to offer (including the Dolly Parton Library—which offers free monthly books for infants- children at the age of 5).