Raised in Connecticut by two Minnesotans, Ari knew from an early age that she’d move to the Gopher State as soon as she could. (Seriously: she has the diary entries to prove it!) Her long-anticipated trek to the Midwest came after high school, when Ari enrolled at Carleton College in Northfield—the home of colleges, cows and contentment.
At Carleton, Ari majored in American Studies (with a minor in education), and spent two terms abroad: one in Thailand and one in Egypt, Turkey and Morocco. In Thailand, she saw first-hand the detrimental impact of many education issues that she had studied in college: overcrowded classrooms, insufficient and outdated resources and a lack of professional development for teachers, to name a few. What she saw inspired her to return to Thailand the following summer to teach English in two public elementary schools, and, rather predictably, that summer only motivated her further. So upon her graduation in 2010, Ari returned once more to Thailand to teach for a full year with a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship.
After a rewarding and humid year in the classroom, Ari moved back home to Minnesota. She started working in local politics almost immediately, first as a field organizer on a congressional race, and later as the communications and membership associate for Jewish Community Action, a social and economic justice advocacy nonprofit in St. Paul. Through these experiences, Ari discovered passions for public policy and communications—but she longed for an opportunity to connect these to her lasting interest in education.
Now at MinnCAN, she can do just that.
When she’s not at work, Ari keeps busy by volunteering as a mentor with College Possible and making spicy Thai food that could make you cry.
I aspire to be like Paul Tough. Here’s why:
My interest in public education truly soared after I read Paul Tough’s “Whatever it Takes: Geoffrey Canada’s Quest to Change Harlem and America.” Not only did the book deal with an impressive subject, the Harlem Children’s Zone, but it also demonstrated the power of storytelling.
Armed only with research, good intentions and a love for writing, Tough crafted a narrative that made folks across the country—including naive college students like me—care deeply about public schools. I hope that my love for communications and my passion for great public education will have a similar impact, compelling Minnesotans to stand up for our kids, teachers and communities.
I get to advocate for great public schools in a state that I love and with colleagues whose talent and commitment are off the charts. This is my absolute dream job, and I pinch myself every day.
I attended a combination of private and public schools as a kid, so I speak from experience when I say that public schools are simply the best. For me, the teachers made all the difference.
Sure, I had great teachers at my private school—but my public school teachers were some of the most dedicated individuals I’ve ever met. My government teacher, for example, sat with me every single day during our shared free period and offered me everything from advice on college applications and personal matters to articles that complemented her assignments and kept me engaged in what could have been a dull class.
My four years in public school and the subsequent volunteer work I’ve done in high schools in Minnesota have taught me that public schools bring out the very best in people—teachers and students alike. This is why I know that great schools can truly change everything, and everyone.
Resisting the urge to make terrible, terrible puns.
This picture of my classroom in Thailand represents my belief that, when it comes to improving our public schools, we need to work with humility. Initially underwhelmed by the school and resources available to me, I quickly learned that my Thai colleagues and I could make meaningful progress with our students–regardless of our modest resources. There are great things happening in schools and classrooms all over the United States (and world), and it’s critical that we never assume otherwise and that we work in deep collaboration with all stakeholders