Stacey Williams’ Post

I am funding classes for Palestinian refugee kids via our Outschool.org non-profit in partnership with local organizations. I'm proud of this work and invite you to join me by making a donation of $1K or more if you are able (comment for details). This work is also shaping my thinking of Outschool's vision. Here's some more context: So far we're helping a little over 100 Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, Egypt, US and Gaza with English language and AP classes. We have to be selective given funding constraints, and are focused on talented kids most likely to get scholarships to continue their studies. These kids may be the Palestinian leaders of the future and we are giving them hope in a desperate situation. Here are a few quotes from kids we're supporting: "My internet has allowed me to attend two classes till now, a calculus class and an IELTS class, both of which were fun. I loved the new way of learning for me."  "It is a very enjoyable experience and the teachers are very kind, but I was very nervous on my first day and I was not completely ready for the lecture " "The Calculus teacher is very kind, I really enjoy her classes. The level is good for me because math is my love language." 💙 One thing I have learned through this work is that people in war zones yearn for some semblance of normal humanity. The delightful quotes above are from human teenagers who must be compartmentalizing their ongoing trauma. Integration and healing of this mass trauma will be multi-generational work and is part of the job to be done by the future education system. Outschool's vision of The Global School is more relevant than ever. We are building an ecosystem of organizations that can deliver far more dynamic and flexible learning than in the past, and so contribute to a path towards hope and healing for more and more people. I am both daunted by the scale of the task ahead and grateful for the role we can play. We have a duty to the future. Let's get to it. ✊

I'm going to do a quick soft launch of the Tech for Palestine Incubator. For months we have been supporting projects which advocate for Palestine in tech or using tech. We've been refining what that help looks like, and for the past 2 months have been doing the "Tech for Palestine Incubator". Projects in the incubator get a community, office hours, mentorship, and access to our volunteer database as well as using our platform for launch, reach, and getting users! The best folks to join the incubator: - newly started projects, potentially with just a leader, who want help refining what they're doing, guidance, and resources - small projects (less than 5 people) who need guidance and resources - experienced leaders who wants something to lead and have time (15+ hours per week) - we have projects we want you to start See https://lnkd.in/g8fUqxfS to apply!

🎉 Exciting news from Outschool.org! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce that our panel has been chosen as one of 208 selected SXSW EDU sessions from an impressive 1,677 applications! 🌟 We are immensely grateful to everyone who voted and showed their support. Hope you'll join us March 4-7, 2024 for an engaging and insightful discussion with our esteemed panel: Janelle Wood of Black Mothers Forum, Bernita Bradley of Engaged Detroit, and Latesha Lipscomb JD of Amplify GR! See you there 👋 https://lnkd.in/e9dRZPCE #outschool #outschoolorg #sxsw #sxswedu #education

❓Did you know that BIPOC and low-income youth are nearly three times less likely to participate in out-of-school learning and enrichment opportunities compared to their white, affluent peers? 🌟 Outschool.org is ready to call attention to the importance of trusting and empowering BIPOC families with direct-to-family funding and educational choice at SXSW EDU 2024, and we need your support to get there! 🤝 Our session will feature the visionary voices of @Engaged Detroit, @Amplify GR, and @Black Mothers Forum’s phenomenal Black women leaders, who are spearheading innovation within the fractured and inequitable non-traditional learning ecosystem so every learner has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. 🔥 🗓️ Your vote is essential! Please take a moment today to cast your vote for our panel's session at SXSW EDU 2024 ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eHXSsWR8