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Intellectual Contribution/Faculty Tribute Award Recipient: David Jose, R&P'10

David JosePrior to enrolling in the Risk and Prevention Program (R&P), David Jose spent two years with Teach For America in New Orleans, an experience that continues to inspire him. "Each and every one of those students drives me every day to be better, to learn more and to recommit myself to ensuring that they, and all children, have the opportunity to define their own future," he says. Reading over his former-students' personal narratives helped him stay driven over the course of his year at HGSE.

"Dave Jose possesses that perfect balance of sincerity, intellect, and a sense of purpose that makes him so ideal for working in the field of education," says Lecturer Mandy Savitz-Romer, director of R&P. "As a true reflective practitioner, Dave openly shared his past experiences and inspired others to do so as well. His willingness to challenge his past practice and ideas serves as a great model for others."

Jose is looking forward to his new position as campus director at Citizens Schools in Newark, N.J., working with the students in an afterschool setting and toward the professional development of the staff. Upon learning that he had been honored with the Intellectual Contribution/Faculty Tribute Award for R&P, Jose answered some questions about his time at the Ed School and beyond.

What was your goal upon entering the Ed School?
To spend an academic year learning as much as possible about the normative process of adolescent development, the ways in which people were intervening, and the research that was being done in the field. I specifically wanted to know how to address violence in a school setting so that I could design an intervention targeted at helping youth resist urges towards violence.

Is that goal any different now?
I would say that the goal has shifted a bit now. I am looking forward to going back into the field and working with youth armed with the knowledge gained from a year spent in the classroom. While I think the goal might change a bit in the long term, I feel pretty confident that working to create my own holistic intervention for youth, with a solid theory of change, is on top.

What is something that you learned at HGSE that you will take with you throughout your career in education?
This might sound simplistic, but one lasting thing I learned at HGSE is the process of forming a theory of change. Thinking about the assumptions that go into designing any intervention, the targeted population and outcome, and the processes and mechanisms that will help you get there is incredibly important. Just simply going through that process makes it clearer and will make any intervention more meaningful.

What advice do you have for next year's students going through your program?
Perhaps the only advice I have for next year's students is make the year personal for you. Take classes that will inspire you, go to talks the will lift you up, talk to classmates and professors who will challenge you. Don't come into the program with unbreakable preconceived notions about what is good or bad or right or wrong with education. Bring your ideas but also bring an open mind.

If you could transport one person/place/thing in Harvard Square to your next
destination, what would it be?

I would probably transport Grendel's. Cheap lunch specials and a good atmosphere, I spent many evenings tackling a large stack of research articles in their back corner.

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