In this episode of Pathways & Possibilities, host Salena Burke sits down with Myeisha Ramirez, a Special Education Resource Teacher, to unpack why personalization in career learning isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity.

Together, they explore:

• How students with IEPs navigate career exploration

• What inclusive, accessible tools should look like

• The role of technology in expanding opportunity

• Why “meeting students where they are” is more than a phrase — it’s a call to action

Myeisha shares real classroom insight and a powerful story about how personalized support helped one student step into their future with confidence.

🎧 Whether you're a teacher, developer, or policymaker, this episode challenges us all to rethink what access, equity, and readiness truly mean.

Learn more about the research: https://www.letdesigninnovate.org/

Donate at: https://www.letdesigninnovate.org/donate

Guest Speaker

Myeisha Ramirez

Cultivationculture8@gmail.com

In this reflective solo episode, host Salena Burke connects the dots between the powerful conversations from the first four episodes of Pathways & Possibilities.

From designing futures and career exposure, to the power of reflection and building systems that listen — Salena revisits the key takeaways, recurring themes, and personal moments that continue to shape the vision for student-centered career learning.

She also shares a personal story of struggle and resilience, inviting listeners to consider how the system fails many students before they even begin.

🎧 Plus, stay tuned for a sneak peek at the next episode: “One Size Doesn't Fit” — where we explore why personalization isn’t a luxury, but a necessity, especially for students with learning differences.

👉 Whether you’ve listened from the beginning or are just jumping in, this is the perfect episode to pause, reflect, and get ready for what’s next.

#CareerLearning #StudentVoice #EducationEquity #Reflection #PathwaysAndPossibilities #PodcastRecap #FutureOfLearning

Guest: Emory Brown, Director of Mentoring & Programming

Description:
What happens when students aren’t just participants—but co-creators? In this episode, we sit down with Emory Brown, a leader in mentoring and youth programming, to explore what it truly means to design with students, not for them. From listening deeply to their lived experiences to co-building systems that reflect their voices, Emory shares powerful insights on trust, collaboration, and equity in action.

We unpack how mentorship, design thinking, and educational systems can work together to elevate student agency—and why listening is the first step to transformation.

Perfect for: Educators, program designers, youth mentors, and anyone rethinking how we engage students in shaping their own futures.

In this thought-provoking episode of Pathways & Possibilities, we sit down with Antwan McHenry, a dedicated Student Voice Liaison, to explore how moments of pause can shape identity, amplify student voice, and foster meaningful growth.

We dive into what it truly means to create space for students to reflect, not as an extra task, but as a transformative practice rooted in culture, community, and personal values. Antwan shares powerful stories from the field, practical reflection strategies, and insights into how educators can integrate reflection in ways that empower rather than overwhelm.

Whether you're a teacher, mentor, or student, this episode offers inspiration and concrete actions to help young people make sense of who they are and who they’re becoming.

Tune in to hear why the pause isn’t just powerful, it’s necessary.

Learn more about Salena Burke's work at www.letdesigninnovate.org

Donate at https://www.letdesigninnovate.org/donate

In this episode of Pathways & Possibilities, Salena Burke explores a critical but often overlooked truth in career education: access and exposure matter just as much as information—and sometimes more. While we often assume that digital tools or internet access are enough to prepare students for the future, the reality is that many young people still lack meaningful opportunities to explore careers in ways that connect to their identity, community, and sense of possibility.

Drawing on recent research by Dr. Trina L. Fletcher, which examined the impact of the SEEK program on Black students’ engagement with STEM, this episode highlights how exposure shapes self-perception and career aspirations, especially for historically underrepresented youth.

From mentorship to culturally grounded experiences, we discuss what it takes to design systems that not only provide access but truly invite students into possibility. You’ll also hear why imagination, emotional resonance, and thoughtful storytelling must be part of the future of career learning.

If you're an educator, designer, policymaker, or simply passionate about equity in education, this conversation will spark new thinking about how we build career pathways that truly serve all students.

Dr. Fletcher, Examining Black Students’ and Mentors’ Experiences in a Summer Engineering Experience for Kids Programhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s41979-024-00142-z

Learn More: Prototype | LET Design InnovateDonate:

Donate | LET Design Innovate

How can we reimagine career exploration, so every student sees themselves in the future?

Designing Futures explores what it means to create intentional, equitable, and student-centered learning experiences that go beyond traditional career prep. In this season, we examine how design thinking, local context, personalization, representation, and technology all shape the journeys students take—and the identities they form—on the path to possibility.

Each episode highlights real stories, innovative practices, and bold ideas that center student voice, challenge systems, and expand what’s possible in education.

Whether you're a parent, educator, designer, or changemaker, this season will inspire you to think differently about how we design futures—startingwith our youth.