Brooke Donner
Florida, USA
Throughout her childhood Brooke was lucky to attend a traditional Montessori elementary school, a language magnet middle school, and a public high school with a strong International Baccalaureate (IB) program. With the guidance and support of her family and a handful of special teachers and programs, Brooke grew to love learning and school. She graduated from high school with an IB diploma and minimal interaction with the barrage of assessments and standards inflicted upon today’s public school students. After graduating, she felt she had much more to learn before continuing on the path to higher education, so she embarked on a bridge year in Senegal with Global Citizen Year. In Kédougou, Senegal, Brooke lived with a host family, assisted in classes in a local secondary school, and learned about herself and the world in an entirely new context.
“There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.” –Buddha
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After returning from Senegal, Brooke began studying psychology with a concentration in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience at the University of Florida. She is particularly interested in exploring educational models that align with the natural course of social, physical, and intellectual development of children while also preparing students to be life long learners and active citizens. At Watson Brooke is developing a plan to put teachers and students back in the center of the US education system by elevating the teaching profession and prioritizing learning above all else.
