(POLK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – Jan. 23, 2023) – Fellows from the Harvard University Kennedy Graduate School visited Polk Elementary School to learn more about the El Paso public school system during their visit to the Borderland last week.

The graduate students are fellows with the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School. Their visit to El Paso included meetings and presentations with local and elected officials to give them a better understanding of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Polk Principal Sandra Spivey and her team presented the group with details about the school’s success and challenges they’ve overcome as a school. The fellows asked a variety of questions that led to deeper discussion of educational issues and outcomes.

“It was an honor and a great experience,” Spivey said. “We, all of us at Polk, felt a great satisfaction, once again talking about our school, and helping these bright students to learn more about important topics in their field of study.”

The group was led by Simba Gandari and included students from throughout the United States.

“We’ve tried to really get an all-encompassing understanding of El Paso,” Gandari said. “So far what we’ve seen in the school is amazing. We are seeing some really hard workers trying their best to make a difference in the lives of these young students.”