Student Profiles

Joe Truss

Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Degrees: B.A. Spanish Language and Literature, UC Berkeley

Before coming to Tufts, I worked as an assistant director of an after school program, at an elementary school, running activities, tutoring and enrichment. I also helped coordinate the academic-year support for a high school Math and Science summer program, SMASH Academy. I was originally leaning towards another school in CA, since it was close, but after visiting (you must visit!) I found that it was the best fit for me, out of the possible choices. Tufts has a strong interest and commitment towards Urban Education, has a relatively good number of students of color, and has a very warm staff. It also had the best financial aid package (I grew up poor and can't afford these high priced institutions).

I am interning at the Boston Arts Academy, a small pilot school, with a progressive agenda and curriculum. Specifically, I am developing my curriculum, with the help of my mentor, for the spring semester. I am finding ways to incorporate culture, practical applications, and history into my classroom. After teaching for a while, I plan to get certified in Math and possibly science, teach for a while longer. I then will move onto after school programs, where I can more directly address issues that I am interested in, namely empowerment, achievement, and liberation of oppressed peoples, especially, males of African decent. If I can do this through starting my own school, maybe I will pursue further education. I plan to use education as a means for revolution!