Today I visited Fort River Elementary in Amherst Massachusetts. About 15 to 20 years ago I attended this school, and a few of the same teachers were there to say hello. Now, my eight-year-old niece attends the school, and I spoke with her third grade class as well as three others. With kids this age, I spend more time just talking about the number of people on the planet, in the United States, and in their home town.

   Today I visited my old High School, Amherst Regional, in Amherst, Massachusetts, where I presented for Mr. Shaw’s AP environmental studies class. This was my first high school, and the class was forgiving as I figured out the best way to advocate that they take action on climate change.
   I did not escape the school without running into a number of former teachers, which was actually very enjoyable (except for the one who’s name I couldn’t remember).

    On this day, I visited two sixth grade classes at East Palo Alto Charter School.

    East Palo Alto, which sits directly next to affluent Palo Alto, is made up almost entirely of immigrants. This school serves to help many of these students, almost all of whom speak English as a second language, achieve. The students are in school nearly year-round, which I learned when I referenced ‘summer vacation’ and the teacher, Ms. Umana, corrected me. Ms. Umana also asked me to talk about the importance of a college education. I did, and was surprised to find that a few of the sixth graders raised their hands and stated ‘I don’t think I’ll make it to college,’ or ‘no one in my family has gone to college.’
    I was also impressed by these students enthusiasm, and I will probably visit the school again before leaving.