On Wednesdays and Fridays after school in September, ETA Joseph “Joe” Janik Miller began meeting students after school in the English Club. The English Club serves as one of Joe’s proposed Community Engagement Projects.

The Club provides a site for students to share their stories, to exercise their English language skills, and to advance Senator Fulbright’s goal of international understanding. At the first meeting on September 4, students responded to the question, “What do you want to talk about this year?” A plurality of students expressed their desire to discuss their experiences at school.

The next meeting began with students discussing their experiences by describing their highs, the best part of the day, and their lows, the worst part of the day. One student said that the art class marked her high because art is her “hobby,” and Joe introduced a new word, “passion.” He challenged students to think about their passions. Some students shared their love for making and listening to music. The meeting ended with students choosing future topics for Club meetings, including bullying and goal setting while listening to the music of a crowd favorite, Maudy Ayunda, an Indonesian singer, songwriter, and activist. Following the meeting, students stayed at school and showcased their passion for making music.

Joseph “Joe” Janik Miller is currently teaching at SMAN 1 Padangsidimpuan, North Sumatra, and he’s inspired by the energy and talent of the students there each and every day.