In 2015, a TBS parent nominated The Berkeley School to join an international network of changemaker organizations called Ashoka. A rigorous interview process led to our confirmation, and in June 2016, our school joined the Changemaker Schools Network. In doing so, we engaged with a global community of leading elementary, middle and high schools that prioritize empathy, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and changemaking as student outcomes.

Ashoka defines “changemakers” as people and organizations who have both the will and the skill to make positive change, and who put empathy in action for the good of all. Being a changemaker is central to our vision – to create citizens of the world – and aligned with our mission to ignite curious minds, awaken generous hearts, and engage a changing world.

Each Ashoka network organization is stewarded by a changemaking team. At The Berkeley School, our team is led by eight students, ages 10-14, who were selected by faculty and administration for demonstrating the “will and the skill” to make positive change here at school as well as in our local and global community. The team has already begun their work to engage a changing world through their innovation and initiative. The Ashoka team’s first initiative is in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Stay tuned as the team puts the plan into action. Other topics of concern raised by the Ashoka team during their first meeting were pollution in our parks and waterways, as well as poverty and homelessness in our local community. They are working together to think about the most effective ways to make a meaningful impact in those areas.

Our changemaking team will also be tasked with highlighting the service learning work of our classrooms, currently focused in the following areas: displacement, climate change, refugees, food justice, homelessness, gender across cultures, voter education, reduction and consumption, and immigration.

Finally, we’d like to celebrate the fact that a member of our Ashoka team, 8th grader Frances, was chosen among hundreds of applicants as one of 15 students to join The National Youth Leadership Council on Character Education. Last month she travelled to Washington D.C. to represent The Berkeley School at their national conference. Upon her return, Frances reported learning a lot about how having an understanding of empathy strengthens your ability to make a meaningful difference in the world. In her own words: “Empathy impacts everything. I know that I matter, and you matter, my choices matter, and I want to make a difference.”

If you’d like to learn more about Ashoka or about our social justice initiatives, please feel free to reach out to me. 

Be Well,
Kate Klaire
Student Life Coordinator