Last month, Kaylyn Woods, vice president of leadership development for the National Student Council (NSC), proudly represented student leaders from across the nation during an afternoon visit to the White House. The visit October 10th visit was part of a White House event in partnership with the National Partnership for Student Success.   

Woods participated in discussions on the country’s progress in supporting students as they navigate the lasting impacts of the pandemic on learning and well-being. The conversation also focused on advancing President Biden’s call to engage 250,000 additional caring adults in vital roles such as tutors, mentors, student success coaches, wraparound service coordinators, and postsecondary transition coaches. The event featured remarks from U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten, White House Domestic Policy Council Director Neera Tanden, and AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith, all of whom emphasized the importance of collective efforts in addressing student needs. 

From left: Cindy Marten, U.S. deputy secretary of education (moderator); Kaylyn Woods; Deana Parks, third-grade teacher at Edwin Forrest School in Philadelphia, PA; and Shajena Cartagena, assistant principal of Powell Elementary School in Washington, D.C. The panel discussed the country’s efforts to support students post-pandemic. Photo courtesy of NASSP.

Woods considers her visit to the White House one of the defining moments of her leadership journey. “It was an amazing experience for me to represent not only my school, but also my peers around the country,” she said. “But it didn’t fully hit me until I got there, and I was like, ‘We’re at the White House. Like, wow!’”  Her visit underscores NSC’s value of providing students with real-world opportunities to amplify their voices on national platforms. 

“One of the key takeaways was knowing that there are people actively working alongside us to create more opportunities for mentorship,” Woods said. “It also falls on us as students to help one another with spreading awareness of the different resources available.” 

Since becoming an NSC vice president, Woods, a junior at William M. Davies Career & Technical High School in Lincoln, RI, has led initiatives that exemplify NSC’s goal of transforming student councils into leadership incubators. She’s currently developing a peer mentorship program at her school, designed to empower other students with the confidence and leadership skills they need to succeed. “I want my peers to know they are not alone. If you need help, you can receive it, face-to-face, to develop a stronger connection.”  

Woods emphasized how the discussion at the White House included the importance of starting small when building connections and fostering mentorship within schools. She shared that one effective way for students to begin is by identifying a trusted teacher or school official who can help guide them as they take the first steps. From there, it’s a process of expanding those connections and exploring opportunities to grow, even if it’s through something as simple as forming a club. “You could start with a teacher or someone you trust and then kind of delve into the different connections they have to see where it takes you.” 

She also acknowledged the vital role her mom has played as her mentor. “Without her guiding me to be who I am today, though I surround myself with different environments, she was my first environment that I ever stepped into,” Woods said. “Through her leadership, she guided me into knowing what I should do and provided invaluable advice.”