California Senator John Laird sat down with MMS seniors for an exclusive interview during the Values in World Thought humanities class. Students prepared questions and facilitated meaningful dialogue with the senator, ranging from local topics such as the environmental impacts of the Vistra Energy Storage fire in Moss Landing earlier this year, to broader cultural topics such as what it was like being among a small handful of openly gay elected officials in the 1980s. During his first term in the senate, Senator Laird had 59 bills signed into law relating to environmental protection, sea level rise, increased access to healthcare, educational opportunity, sustainable agriculture, and electoral reform.
“I really enjoyed interviewing Senator Laird. He emphasized the importance of focusing on what is right in front of you, one issue at a time, and not getting off track worrying about the big things you can’t do anything about. I learned that we can still make a difference with consistent and focused work on small issues, instead of getting burnt out by the huge ones. I’m very grateful that John Laird took the time to speak with us. He has done amazing things during his long career in public service, and continues to today. He is an excellent role model.” -Rosemary Konviser, 12th grade
The Values in World Thought course is a two-year long humanities capstone that prepares students for meeting with public servants and world leaders by reading and analyzing their work. This established curriculum fosters critical thinking, media literacy, public speaking, citizenship, and much more. It supports the development of thoughtful, discerning, and empathetic individuals that are capable of taking responsibility for their actions and capable of both facilitating and engaging in collaborative work.
“I am grateful that Senator Laird took the time to come and speak with my students. He has been a long-time supporter of the Values program and understands the important role education plays in helping nurture critical thinking and civic engagement. His dedication to public service spans over 40 years. When he shares his perspective on an issue, you can see how deeply he thinks about things and his amazing ability to break complex issues down into understandable parts.”
-Shannon Kelly, Values in World Thought teacher
