Education is empowerment. As an adjunct instructor (1999-2005) I led social science classes in community colleges and universities. I witnessed the significant barriers to school completion that existed for low-income students in my classes. Often they had to decide whether to work to support themselves and their families, or to continue with their education. GO Public Schools is working to mobilize parents, families, community leaders and all of us to ensure that students have access to high-quality schools, and holistic resources for long-term academic success. I value GO's fierce, inclusive activism and focus on guaranteeing equity in education.