As we mark American Education Week, we are called not only to celebrate the dedication of teachers, students, administrators, and families, but also to reflect on the larger understanding that education of youth is how societies sustain themselves. Education is far more than preparation for college or career. It is a shared civic undertaking rooted in generational responsibility, where young people learn to understand one another, tackle important challenges, and actively build the future they will one day lead.
At a moment when, as a nation, we are grappling with intense partisanship, economic uncertainty, and environmental pressures, schools remain places where students learn to collaborate, consider multiple perspectives, and take responsibility for their communities.
At the International Baccalaureate (IB), this idea of education as societal renewal is at the heart of our mission. Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders. The IB’s inquiry-based learning model encourages students to develop agency, think for themselves, formulate reasoned judgements, and solve problems in ways that connect abstract ideas with real-world contexts. Students learn to ask questions, test their assumptions, and work closely with peers in the classroom and through service opportunities. By doing so, they develop critical thinking skills that are essential not only for higher education and careers but also for engaged citizenship.
This kind of learning has extraordinary power when applied to tangible issues in students’ own communities. In the San Diego Unified School District, students in the Middle Years Program (MYP) demonstrated how inquiry-driven community engagement can spark meaningful change both locally and globally.
One example is an interactive sustainability tapestry created by a MYP student named Elena. Inspired by her research in sustainability, she designed an interactive tapestry that invites community members to write down a personal pledge and attach it to the installation. Each pledge represents an action someone in the community is committed to taking. The success of this project is visible as the tapestry grows larger and more vibrant with each new contribution. Students witnessed the direct impact of their idea and learned how a school project can encourage real civic engagement.
Another MYP project that had an impact came from a student named Graham, who is now an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (DP) candidate in high school. Graham grew up surfing and used that passion to support children from underserved communities and those with special needs by offering surfing lessons. His intention was to help young people overcome fear and gain confidence through the sport that shaped his life. At the same time, he noticed growing amounts of trash on local beaches and decided to organize cleanup efforts. He coordinated four beach cleanups during the pandemic, bringing people together during a difficult period and helping protect the shoreline. His work earned him recognition as a 2021 Earth Day Champion, demonstrating how personal passion can inspire leadership, environmental stewardship, and service to others.
These student projects highlight key takeaways evident across the IB community. Students gain long-lasting skills such as leadership, time management, collaboration, and communication. They experience personal growth and build confidence and learn that they can make a positive difference in their communities. Success is measured not only in the completion of a project but also in the awareness and resilience students develop along the way. Teachers and advisors play a crucial role by offering support, guidance, and encouragement, ensuring all students, including those with learning differences, can participate meaningfully. The work of educators is also worth celebrating, as they help young people learn to work together and accept responsibility for the communities they live in.
IB students speak powerfully about the value of this approach. One student noted that the Middle Years Program is an important educational opportunity with lasting impact because it cultivates skills that will be helpful in their future education, personal pursuits, and every part of life. Another student shared that their project helped them realize she could pursue a future career in event planning or marketing, and that large-scale ambitions are achievable for a young person. Graham expressed a similar sentiment when he said for anyone considering the MYP, there is really no question because it sets students up for life.
American Education Week is the ideal time to honor individuals who make this type of individual and community engagement possible. Teachers, administrators, families, and students work together every day to cultivate learning environments where curiosity is encouraged, critical thinking is developed, and knowledge is connected to real experience. Their collective efforts strengthen not only individual futures but the vitality and resilience of broader society.
At the IB, we remain committed to fostering the kind of education that equips young people to engage in complex issues, understand themselves and others, and contribute to a better world. When students connect learning to lived experiences and discover the power they have to create change, education becomes more than preparation – it becomes renewal.
This is the promise we celebrate during American Education Week, and that guides our work year-round.