For Middle School Students
MSAN’s core values embrace student identity, leadership, and voice and elevate the importance of meaningful partnerships with students to improve schools.
The Intersectional Social Justice Collaborative for Middle School Students (ISJC) is a program in MSAN that seeks to provide an authentic and transformational learning experience for middle school students. This interdisciplinary seminar experience affirms students’ intersecting identities, cultivates their leadership potential, and empowers them to be agents of positive change in their schools and communities. The ISJC also prepares students for the leadership role they will take as MSAN scholars in high school.
Students also can share and connect with middle school students from MSAN districts across the country. Students’ advisors are provided with pre-session materials and exercises to complete with students prior to and in preparation for each session. The webinars are hosted via Zoom through the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
To register, please contact Connie Showalter at connie.showalter@wisc.edu
Please check your email for the live Zoom session link. Contact your district advisor(s) if you have not received the link.
Through three, 2-hour webinars, students learn from experienced facilitators and hear from dynamic speakers as they explore their role and responsibility in making a positive impact in their school community.
2025-2026 Sessions
2025-26 ISJC Theme: The Dream…In Action
All sessions are two (2) hours in length, and will be from:
11 a.m.-1 p.m. CT
12-2 p.m. ET
- Session 1: October 22, 2025
- Session 2: February 24, 2026
- Session 3: May 13, 2026
Session 2: February 24, 2026
Session Title: Bridging the Gap – Turning Dream Work into Action
Facilitated by Klaudia Burton
Pre-Work
Purpose:
Before our next session, you will reflect on session one and also start to think about what community means to you. Take notice of how people and organizations in your community already take action around issues that matter.
You will:
- Reflect on your ideas from Session 1
- Observe or identify a community connection you may already have
- Prepare one question or idea to bring to Session 2
Part 1: Looking Back – From Hope to Hands On (10–15 minutes)
Student Task:
Review the prompts below and respond to them as a group or an individual. Responses can be written, typed, voice-recorded, or discussed and summarized if working in a group.
Student Prompts
- One idea from From Hope to Hands On that stuck with me was ______ because ______.
- I have been able to do/complete ___________ with the action plan I created in the first session.
- When I think about “hope turning into action,” I think it looks like ______.
- One issue in my school or community that I care about more after Session 1 is ______.
- One thing adults or students often misunderstand about my community is ______.
Part 2: Community Snapshot – Noticing What’s Already Happening?
Student Task:
Identify ONE example of community action. This can be big or small.
Examples:
- A local organization, club, or group
- A school-based group or student organization
- A place where people gather (church, library, barbershop, community center)
- A person who helps others in the community
- An online space that supports or advocates for a community
You all will answer:
- What is it called (or who is it)?
- What issue or need does it address?
- Who does it support or serve?
- How does this community work tie into my action plan/dream I started in session one?
Part 3: Planning for Session 2 – “In Action with Community”
Answer BOTH questions:
- What makes working with a community different from working for a community?
- What is ONE question you want to explore about youth and community action?
Bring your responses (written or typed) to Session 2. Don’t worry about perfect grammar — we are most interested in your thinking.
Session 1: October 22, 2025
Session Title: From Hope to Hands On
Facilitated by Lindsey Moore
Pre-Conference Materials:
Time to Complete: 30–40 minutes total
Due: Before the virtual conference
For Students
1 – Reflect on Your Dream & Voice
Think about the issues, problems, or hopes that matter most to you in your school, community, or the world.
Ask yourself:
- What change would I like to see?
- Why does this matter to me?
- Who is affected by this issue?
Write your responses on two sticky notes, index cards, or a notebook page:
- My Dream – one clear sentence describing the change you want to see.
- My Why – 1–2 sentences explaining why it matters to you.
2 – Prepare to Share in the Workshop
Bring your sticky notes or written reflections to the virtual session. Early in the workshop, you’ll:
- Type your “Dream” and “Why” directly into the Zoom chat when prompted.
- (Optional) Hold up your sticky note to your camera so others can see it.
This simple preparation ensures everyone is ready to participate, even if tech tools glitch.
For Adult Advisors
Your role is to support students as they identify their voice and dream ahead of the session. Please:
- Set aside 10–15 minutes during advisory, class, or club time for students to complete this reflection.
- Guide them with questions like:
- “What’s something at school or in your community you wish could change?”
- “Why is that important to you?”
- “Who else might care about this issue?”
- Make sure each student writes their Dream and Why on sticky notes or paper.
- Remind students to bring their notes to the workshop, where they’ll share their ideas in the Zoom chat during the opening activity.
What to Bring to the Workshop
- Your Dream + Why written on sticky notes or notebook paper
- Any notes or brainstorms from your reflection time
- A readiness to collaborate and take your first step toward change
Previous Sessions
Previous sessions for middle school, as well as sessions for middle school and high school are available on the MSAN members-only website.