Claudio Otero III

FS ‘22: Site Assistant

Which decade do you actually belong in, and do you agree? (According to this Buzzfeed quiz)

2030s…I do agree with the option. In the results it mentions how I am always anticipating what the future holds, which is true. I am always wondering what our future will look like. The only thing I would disagree with is that "everything will be plant based". Give me regular chicken!

What part of the country are you originally from?

Madison Heights, Virginia

What is your least favorite snack food and why?

Nutter Butters because I am allergic to peanuts

Marty McFly and Doc Brown have just pulled up in their DeLorean. They tell you that the future is a mess, but in order to make things right, you have to go back in time and prevent ONE SONG from being made. What song would it be and why?

I could live without Body by Megan thee Stallion. Catchy song, don't get me wrong, but it took the world by storm. If I hear one more TikTok or one more of my students yell "Body -ody -ody -ody..." one more time I might actually lose it

What were you like in middle/high school?

I have always been pretty tall and goofy. I was on my middle school and high school basketball teams as well as my high school tennis team. I always got in trouble for talking during class, but I just like talking to people. I always kept my grades up because I did not want to have "the talk" with my mama about bad grades. The picture is from my 8th grade dance lol

Bell Bottoms or Baggy Jeans?

but why tho

Our National Day of Social Action theme for 2022 is Climate Justice. What do you think justice for our environment looks like?

Justice for our environment means giving everyone the same and fair benefits when experiencing the damages of climate change. The wealthy damage the climate more than anyone do to their carelessness and expect nothing to happen. People in developing countries however are feeling the harsh effects of climate change. Warming temperatures, increased violence of hurricanes, tsunamis, etc. These people are suffering due to the choices made by wealthier individuals and deserve help and assistance.

Complete this phrase: "The future is..."

“something we create. We must do the work now in the present to ensure a bright future”

Since beginning in 2019, our Freedom School journey has discussed issues like gun violence, voting rights, youth justice/incarceration and more. What is one social justice/action issue that you are passionate about? Why?

I am very passionate about youth incarceration. Being an educator I truly believe that everyone can learn. The youth that are being incarcerated are only learning to continue the behaviors that got them there. Instead of incarcerated them we need to learn why they are behaving the way we are and how we can teach them to behave otherwise. No one is born wanting to do wrong.

What makes you excited about returning or joining the team this year?

The interactions with the scholars. I love building those bonds and helping them propel themselves into the future. It goes beyond just Freedom School. After the summer is done it is always exciting and heartwarming to see what accomplishments they make throughout the year.

FS Roll Call '22: Claudio Otero III