|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Often, education officials across the country become so deeply involved in policy debates, data-driven strategies, and budget management that they unintentionally overlook one of the most important voices that should be at the table: students.
Since 1985, M-DCPS has risen to meet this challenge by allowing for genuine student input on district policies by the establishing and upholding of the role of the Student Advisor to the School Board.
It was a little over a year ago when I was elected as the 40th Student Advisor to the School Board, a title I not only embraced but vowed to use to make a difference for the students in at M-DCPS.
On Apr. 11, 2024, when I gave my campaign speech before representatives from all of Miami’s public high schools, I vowed to implement new initiatives that uplift the student voice and put children first. I immediately understood that this role is more than ceremonial. It is a declaration that students deserve more… we have the power of influence.
After I began my term, we decided we needed to begin with connection. We launched a monthly “Instagram Connects” series, where — before each board meeting — we went live on social media to answer questions, gather insights, and keep students informed about the items our school board members were bringing forward that month. This new outreach method created a direct line to thousands of students across M-DCPS, ensuring their questions and perspectives were not only welcomed but prioritized in our district’s decision-making process.
From there, we listened harder. The “Idea Exchange Tour” brought me into schools from every corner of the county. I visited over a dozen campuses, meeting with incredible student leaders and the educators who support them. Students told me what mattered: better meals, faster Wi-Fi, additional mental health support, and representation at every table. I carried that truth with me into every board item, every school board meeting, and every conversation with district departments and staff.
We also brought student government leaders together. At our annual M-DCPS District Student Government Association Leadership Conference on Mar. 13, student leaders stood tall, collaborated, and found their collective power. That day proved our leadership pipeline isn’t just full — it’s overflowing.
We also advocated. Whether it was helping students navigate essential services like obtaining driver’s licenses or ensuring every voice was heard in the classroom, we worked to make a difference. Our classmates are more than numbers — they’re friends, leaders, neighbors, and builders of a better future. And when it came to decisions like the school calendar, we pushed for student representation — because decisions about education should not be made without those who live it every day.
We also spoke up for nourishment. In November, we supported the call to create a task force to improve our school meals, because our students deserve food that fuels not just the body, but the mind.
Every one of these moments, from the podium to the classroom was rooted in the belief that we are not the leaders of tomorrow, we are the leaders of today.
It would be easy to write off this year as symbolic. But I believe it was revolutionary. The Student Advisor role in Miami-Dade is a national model for youth empowerment. Our work has shown other school districts what happens when student voice is not just heard but honored.
This year, we didn’t just raise our voices — we raised the standard. Student leadership wasn’t about applause; it was about accountability, presence, and making sure every perspective was valued. To every student who reached out, spoke up, or shared their story, this year was ours: our wins, our impact, our legacy.
I leave this role not with an ending, but with intention. The work continues. The spark is alive. And to the next Student Advisor, I say this: the seat is yours, but the voice must be ours. Because if we want the future of education to be shaped by excellence, resilience, and purpose, then students must be the ones holding the pens.
Thank you, M-DCPS, for allowing me to serve this beautiful community. Representing the students of Miami-Dade County has been the honor of a lifetime — and a reminder that when it comes to empowering student voices and shaping the future, M-DCPS is your best choice.
Maurits E. Acosta is the 40th Student Advisor to the School Board of Miami-Dade County and a 2025 graduate of Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School.
ABOUT US:
For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.
This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.
Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.
If you have any questions, feel free to email Michael@communitynewspapers.com or Grant@communitynewspapers.com.
