YoungFeds.Org > Features > Working Points
Our Shared Duty as Emerging Federal Leaders
By Andrew R. Strait, Esq.
In the fall of 2005 I received a seemingly innocuous e-mail from the U.S. Office Personnel Management, soliciting volunteers for the non-profit, nonpartisan, Presidential Classroom organization. As I read more about this interesting organization, my usual detached attitude to such bulk government electronic broadcasts was quickly replaced by an ever increasing amount of zeal. After only a brief amount of research, which yielded glowing accounts from previous Federal instructors, I was determined to volunteer with this distinctive youth-oriented civic group.
Since it's founding during the Johnson Administration in 1968, Presidential Classroom provides the next generation of civic leaders, the top echelon of high school students, with an extraordinary academic and leadership development experience in Washington, D.C. Students examine the Federal government at work, witness the development of public policy and explore the roles of citizens, lawmakers, experts and businesses in the world's most successful democracy. Volunteer instructors come from all walks of American life, and many of those solicited are young Federal workers such as me.
Originally a native of sunny southern California, I came to Washington D.C. in the fall of 2003 as a Presidential Management Fellow with the Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). While my fellowship with DEA afforded me the chance to participate in the pubic policy formation process, it also presented the opportunity to live in work in our nation's capital; a region eager to welcome individuals who yearn to offer their professional skills for the betterment of their fellow citizens.
Over the past three years I have been fortunate to spend many hours volunteering in the community. I witnessed the bravery and camaraderie of “our greatest generation” via my involvement with the WWII Memorial Dedication, and assisted the diverse citizens of Prince George 's County by offering pro bono legal service. Yet neither of these experiences compares to my time with Presidential Classroom!
From the commencing moments of my week-long volunteering session, I knew this opportunity would forever alter my view of our nation's youth. As an instructor for “Law and Justice” week, I witnessed students eager to learn about Federal government service and the inter-workings of our intricate legal system. Moreover, these students were quite diverse; spanning the racial, gender, socio-economic and geographic gamut. Yet their diversity paled in comparison to their character, for it was their unwavering integrity and capacity to learn that actually impressed me most.
Shattering any preconceived notions of youth apathy towards government and politics, these mature students thought globally and acted locally. They were pillars of academic excellence within their high schools and actively investigated and challenged the established world around them. As their instructor, I merely channeled their palpable cravings; each seeking a better understanding of the political and historical nature of this great country. My body tinged with excitement as I led them on a behind-the-scenes tour of the democratic landscape of Washington D.C. and watched as their eyes beamed with bright hope for the future.
During “Law and Justice” week, my students engaged in intellectual discourse with the author of the U.S. Patriot Act, mingled with U.S. Senators on Capitol Hill, discussed legal trends with the Assistant U.S. Attorney General, and actively debated during a moot court exercise. Each day brought on a new batch of thrills and I deliberately took moments of mental pause, so as to cement in my memory, the extraordinary feats that were being accomplished. In just one short week, students were tackling complex geo-political issues, were breaching class and geographic divides, and were immediately employing the knowledge gleaned from the Presidential Classroom guest speakers. Truly a sight to behold!
As young Federal workers, emerging leaders in the public sector and as citizens, we should act to foster this civic appetite of the next generation. We should participate in experiences like Presidential Classroom so that we may nurture youth interest in our government and provide them with the tools necessary to be successful. As emerging Federal leaders we have applied academic theoretic principals in the professional arena for the public betterment. Ergo, we can mentor these students vis-à-vis anecdotes from our own government service experience. Indeed, I believe it is our charge to keep - our duty - to provide America 's next generation with our proven testament. A testament that reveals what can be accomplished by unyielding motivation, continuing education, and a true desire to better the world around us.
As March of 2007 approaches, I know where I will be for one week – volunteering with Presidential Classroom. This year I am eager to volunteer during “National Security” week, sharing with students my recent experiences as a new senior analyst with the U.S. Secret Service. As I survey instructor faces during the orientation session, I look forward to seeing yours – for I know that you, as an emerging Federal leader, will not want to miss out on this amazing chance to help guide our nation's next generation! Check out the Presidential Classroom website and click the Interns & Volunteer Instructors tab at the top of the page, following the instructor links to the application.
NOTE: Volunteer Instructor applications are the Presidential Classroom Summer session is April 6, 2007
Andrew Strait is an attorney and Senior Analyst at the US Department of Homeland Security
