Ava Fonss, Editor-in-Chief
@afonsscourant
Peyton Zaletsky, Editor-in-Chief
@peytonzcourant
On September 7, senior Praja Tickoo was sworn into the Connecticut State Board of Education during a meeting in Hartford, Connecticut following his appointment by Governor Ned Lamont. Praja will serve a year-long term on the board, during which he will represent primary and secondary school students while informing policy decisions in Connecticut public schools.
As a non-voting member, Praja intends to assist the board with decision-making. “As the Connecticut State Board of Education sets priorities, establishes policies, and evaluates the outcome of district operations across Connecticut, my responsibility is to bring the student perspective to help inform policy decisions,” he said. “I also hope to be an advocate for the right of all students to have an education that empowers them to pursue their purpose in life.”
According to Praja, he discovered this opportunity while searching for ways to further his experience in the educational field. “I first reached out to the Connecticut State Department of Education in regards to a program called Voice4Change which was being offered to participating high schools,” he said. “From this, I was able to reach out to the office of the Commissioner of Education, who informed me about the student board member position.”
Praja’s appointment followed a rigorous selection process, which required several different components. “I submitted an application to the Connecticut Department of Education that included letters of recommendation, an essay, and my resume,” he said. “I went through two rounds of interviews, one by the Department of Education and another by the office of Governor Ned Lamont, before I was selected for the position.”
As someone who has been interested in education for several years, Praja has already made strides towards initiating reform in the field. “About four years ago, I recognized that we need an education system which empowers students to pursue their interests, interact with their community, and create change in the world,” he said. “As a result, I founded an organization called Impact The Future, which works to introduce design thinking in the education system.”
Praja’s organization has allowed him to gain a deeper understanding of the education system, and he has already received recognition for his work. “I have been invited to dozens of national and international conferences and panels which have allowed me to listen to and speak with students and teachers, gaining insights from their diverse perspectives,” he said.
From his experience both as a high school student and through his organization, Praja hopes to take advantage of his unique perspective. “I have an awareness of how the system operates, viewing it from the perspective of both a student and an educator,” he said. “As someone who has gone through the Connecticut public school system, I have experienced many of the benefits and challenges of student life, and I hope to use this to impact the future of our education system.”
Praja views his work on the Board of Education as a way to gain a deeper understanding of the educational field. “This opportunity allows me to explore and understand how policies form our public education system, and this position will give me a new perspective on how I can help empower students, which is my long-term goal,” he said.
Once his term is over, Praja plans to explore other aspects of education. “Exploring new fields of study, such as the psychology of human development, will enable me to have a greater impact on the future of education,” he said. “Gaining more experience will help me optimize the learning experience for the students worldwide.”
