There has been a lot going on at High School of the Future. For instance, we would like to welcome our newest team member, Abbey Piro! Abbey joins us from serving the first half of this school year at Overbrook High School. During her journey transferring from one school to another, Abbey fits right in like a glove. Despite not having a caseload of students right away, she pushed herself by getting to know students and creating a Peace Corner in our room filled with stress-relief items, coloring books, and empowering quotes for our students to see such as “I refuse to quit,” “Live your best life,” and “I learn from my mistakes.” Once she received her caseload of students, Abbey was on fire. Without hesitation, she met with all her students within her first few weeks.

Abbey is from right outside of Washington, DC and has also lived in New York, Chicago, and West Philadelphia. She graduated from Saint Joseph’s University with a degree in Communications Studies. While in college she participated in weekly service and the student-run theatre company. Her favorite subjects while in high school were English and art. She is serving this year with the Promise Corps team because she has always loved working with youth and wants to give back to the community that has been her home for the past four years.

After this year, she plans to get her Master’s degree in secondary or urban education.  Something interesting about Abbey is that she has never left the country. Her hobbies include writing, photography, graphic design, and music. She lives by this quote: “The most effective way to do it is to do it” -Amelia Earhart.

~ Truth Tea with Abbey ~

Q: What is your favorite TV show?

A:   My favorite TV show is DEFINITELY Criminal Minds because it is simply the best show in existence. I love crime shows and I love the psychological aspect of the show in comparison to shows like SVU. The shoe made me want to be a criminal profiler until I realized I don’t like blood.

Q: Any advice would you give to future Promise Corps members?

A:  Be real with your students. They can smell fakeness from a mile away so just be genuine about who you are and with your interactions. That’s really the only way to create strong relationships with your students.

Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?

A: In five years I hope to see myself working in a youth-centered organization working with high schoolers in at-risk communities. Working for Promise Corps has strengthened my passion for working directly with students and creating an environment where learning can be fun.

Q: Why did you join Promise Corps?

A: I joined Promise Corps because I wanted to explore my passion for education and working with youth. I went to college for communications and never ever imagined myself wanting to pursue education as a career. In my Junior year of college, I really found that passion and I thought Promise Corps would be a great way to test out that passion before going back to school for education.

Q: What inspired you to work with youth in education?

A: What inspired me was an internship I had summer going into my Senior year of college. I was in desperate need of an internship for the summer and my professor had a connection at a youth center in Camden, NJ. She connected me with them and I was able to acquire an internship. At the time I was just doing it to have some income for the summer but ended up coming out of it with a whole new perspective on education and the world. Working with the kids there really made me realize how flawed our education system is and made me determined to be the change for those students. The students I encountered there are so hardworking and inspiring, and it really drove my desire to continue working with youth in education.

Q: What are your future career goals?

A:  My future career goals are to one day open up a youth center for at-risk youth in an intercity. I saw the impact the youth center in Camden had on the kids and I want to bring that environment to another community of youth in need.

Q: What was your college experience like?

A:  My college experience was a roller coaster.  When I came into college I thought I had my whole life planned out. I wanted to be a music journalist for Rolling Stone Magazine. But through classes and different experiences, I slowly but surely realized my passion for working with youth to better our world. Saint Joe’s really helped expose me to so many different places, people, and experiences, and for that, I am forever grateful.

Antaneyah Johnson- College and Career Coach at School of the Future