No Child Should Leave A Loser: Phil Matero at TEDxYouthBuildCharterSchool

Phil Matero, longtime youth advocate and Founder/CEO of YouthBuild Charter School of California, proposes that we "let no child leave a loser" -- speaking of an educational system that prioritizes an economy of numbers and rankings over the individual growth and needs of each student. This is the same system that delegitimizes "under-performers," "drop-outs," and "non-traditional" learners. Simply because of an unwillingness to accept and embrace difference; because of a structural (administrative, corporate) resistance to acknowledging the pervasive influence of systemic injustices in the lives of impoverished urban youth of color.

Phil Matero is a recognized leader in the national movement to improve opportunities for quality education available to youth who have not been well-served by the traditional education system. Phil launched YouthBuild Charter School of California (YCSC) in 2008 to cultivate collaborative learning communities in which every student has the right to an authentic education, plays a meaningful role in creating positive social change, and becomes an active participant in working towards just conditions for all. He has consulted for YouthBuild USA, YouthBuild International, US Peace Corps, the National Youth Employment Coalition, and other projects where he offered his expertise in social justice, youth development, and socially equitable and sustainable education.

ted.com/tedx/events/11924 | tedxyouthbuildcharterschool.wordpress.com

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