Mike Taylor, Expanded Learning Program Coordinator, San Rafael, artist

I got into expanded learning because I ran a summer camp at like 15 years ago and my superintendent was like, “You know, I think this would be great for you to give it a try. It's a new it's a new thing. You should do it.”

I thought, “Great, let's give it a try.” And. If I boil it down, yes, there's accountability, yes, there's attendance, yes, there's, you know, meals, yes, there's programs and ratios, all that good stuff. 

But at the end of the day, we're creating programs that are awesome for kids and they get to go to them after school. Instead of going home and like hanging out on their phone or playing a computer game or I don't know. We get to engage them and engage with them when the bell rings. 

It's amazing. It's truly one of the biggest joys I've had the chance to be a part of in education in 21 years.