Irasema Salcido's journey from Mexico to the agricultural fields of California to Harvard's Graduate School of Education was one marked by hard work and struggle. The only one of 5 siblings to graduate high school and attend college, Irasema often considered dropping out due to the pressures of working and going to school at the same time, but she persevered, in part because she knew, "It wasn't just for me- it was for my parents too. Achieving my goals would send a message to others that it can be done." Part of the reason Irasema struggled in school was due to a poor high school education. This realization ignited a fire in her to ensure that every child in America graduates secondary school with the necessary skills and preparation for college, no matter what their background may be.

Now the CEO and founder of the Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy in Washington, DC, Irasema draws inspiration from the labor hero Cesar Chavez to work toward her mission, which she says echoes the founding principles of the United States- the notion that everyone should be treated equally and have the same opportunities to succeed. It's clear that Irasema has achieved her goal to inspire her students. Reflecting on a difficult period at the charter system's high school this fall following the death of a student, Irasema observed, "A few years ago, many students would have used this as an excuse not to come to school but instead, I had students telling me that they were going to work even harder for their exams, even though they were devastated by the tragedy. This shows what our wonderful teachers and administrators are achieving with their hard work. You only hear kids say, 'I want to go to Harvard, I want to go to MIT' when they're really being pushed by adults who believe in them."

The Chavez Schools believe in their students so much, they're preparing high school teenagers to some day be city council members, mayors or members of Congress by requiring deep analysis of public policy as a core part of the curriculum. Each student completes a 15-page thesis on a problem in the community, assesses current policies in place to address the issue, and offers his or her own if current measures are deemed inadequate. "Our job is to prepare them so that as they become adults, they understand they have the tools to engage in discussions and contribute their perspective to the community. All of us have to take ownership to change our own circumstances."