On Thursday, October 24, I had the pleasure of attending the Third Space Thinking Leadership Summit, where I had the opportunity to hear and shoot content of thought leaders such as Dean Pedro Nogeura from the USC Rossier School of Education. Nogeura started the conversation with an inspiring speech where he underscored the transformative power of education to address some of the world's most pressing issues. He challenged attendees to reframe global challenges—such as climate change, poverty, and intergenerational inequality—as problems of learning and adaptation. He highlighted the efforts in South Africa's townships, where schools collaborate with communities to tackle issues like hunger and security. By creating a self-sustaining farm and engaging community members in school security, these schools demonstrate the resourcefulness that arises from local partnerships.
The theme of community-based education extended to local initiatives as well. A standout example closer to home is Pacoima's Social Justice Humanitas Academy, which uses innovative practices, such as student evaluations of teachers and relationship-building activities before the school year begins. This approach has yielded remarkable results, including one of the highest graduation rates in Los Angeles. Social Justice Humanitas embodies the concept of "Third Space Thinking," where education is more than a classroom experience—it's a gateway to empowerment and transformation.
The student speaker, Bryan Ramirez-Gonzalez, a freshman computer science and engineering major at USC and a first-generation Latino student, further amplified this statement. He credits his success to the soft skills he learned at the Third Space Youth Institute, a summer program at USC for soft skills development and problem-solving. He cites intellectual curiosity and empathy as the most critical soft skills he has learned and utilized. He explains that 360-degree thinking and adaptability are vital to his success, alongside hard work and curiosity. "The ACE-IT skillset is college readiness and career readiness. I've used it in basically every situation I've been in, whether in interviews or in competitions like the hackathon," amplifying and showing the ACE-IT skillset is an integral part of college and career readiness.
Speakers at the summit, including Dr. Mirna Miranda-Welch from the Los Angeles County Office of Education, spoke passionately about how the Center for Third Space Thinking has helped ensure their students have a successful experience while including their families, so parents and students feel comfortable. She highlighted how students have benefited tremendously from participating in the Third Space Youth Institute and learning the ACE-IT framework.
Another speaker, Myra Sanchez from Riverside County Office of Education highlighted the impact of the Center's youth programs. She emphasized how students are empowered to engage in meaningful communication and address issues affecting their communities. The Third Space Youth Institute creates opportunities for students to step into spaces they once thought were out of reach, building not only their skills but also their self-confidence. This transformative work demonstrates the Center's dedication to equipping students with the tools and assurance they need to succeed.
As Donal Kennedy from LAUSD expressed, Third Space Thinking does more than teach students skills—it changes their outlook on life, helping them to see their potential and redefine their legacies. This summit serves as a reminder of the power of community, education, and innovation to drive meaningful change and create a more equitable future for all.
Through these partnerships, the Center continues to impact countless students, particularly those from underserved communities. The program prepares them for futures they might have never envisioned by instilling confidence and giving them a toolkit to solve problems and seize opportunities during their college or workplace journey.