Lexiander Collazo-Castillo is a senior at Lafayette International #207. In 2019, he joined the Student Technology Leadership Program as an IT summer intern. The paid internship aims to provide students with opportunities to gain career experience in the Information- and Instructional Technology fields while earning hours toward their New York State Career Development and Occupation Studies (CDOS) credentials. As a first-year summer intern, Lexiander worked with other student interns and technical service professionals in various schools to learn troubleshooting techniques, imaging, and cleaning processes to prepare student devices for redistribution. When he returned to school after his summer experience, Lexiander joined Lafayette's Student Technology Leadership Program team which devoted their efforts to increasing student and teacher usage of zSpace machines, troubleshooting technology issues, creating a variety of videography projects for the school, and translating curricular resources for teacher and student use. As a second-year summer intern, he worked at an IT hub site out of PS 207 to provide technical support to students and families with device issues and create cinematography projects for the district including how-to videos for our students and families. As a third-year intern, Lexiander worked at our Center for Innovation, Technology, and Training (CITT) to help prepare student devices for the upcoming school year and distribute them to students and families.  As a senior, Lexiander has an early release school schedule. Because of his leadership abilities, he took the initiative to seek a school year internship opportunity that will help him continue to develop skills that he will not only use in his post-secondary education, but also in the workforce. Lexiander’s three-year summer internship experiences have grown to a year-long, paid opportunity at the CITT. Through these work experiences, he has saved enough money to purchase his very first vehicle!   

Lexiander is not only a model student, he also works at Walmart on the weekends and helps his mom with her culinary business. Everyone that has had the pleasure of getting to know and work with Lexiander over the past three years describes him as an ambitious, empathetic, kind, reliable, and hardworking young man. When asked to describe the best part of his experience he said, “I have learned a lot! I loved learning about 3D printing and all the other professional development we got; that has always been my favorite part! My communication with other kids has really gotten better and I have learned how real jobs work. I want other kids to learn from me and have this experience.” Upon graduation, Lexiander will continue working at the CITT until he begins the Fall Semester at the University at Buffalo where he will study Industrial Engineering. Lexiander is the epitome of the progression that students can make when afforded leadership opportunities that our Student Technology Leadership Program provides.  Congratulations to our spotlight intern!    

Mirakle Singleton is a junior at the International Preparatory School #198 and a veteran of the Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP). Mirakle joined the STLP as an eighth-grade member of the Phoenix Tech Squad at School #37 in 2018. As a member of this team, she worked collaboratively with teachers to help transform students' learning experiences using technology through the facilitation of grade-level meetings, planning sessions, and teaching digital citizenship lessons to younger students. When Mirakle transitioned to high school, she helped to establish iPrep’s STLP team, continuing to support teachers and students with technical issues. She has also participated in the STLP’s Summer Internship for the past three years helping to prepare tens of thousands of student devices for fall distribution. Mirakle has expressed that this program has “challenged” her in many ways she couldn't imagine and advises new interns to “enjoy all the experiences you are afforded and take from it as much as you can!”       

As an STL on the Phoenix Tech Squad, Mirakle had the opportunity to work with Associated Press reporter Carolyn Thompson to share the work that she and her peers were doing in their school. This experience helped prepare her for an opportunity to represent the Buffalo Public Schools and Western New York as a panel member in the Speak Up Advisory Council’s 2021 Virtual Congressional Briefing. The Speak Up Research Project creates opportunities for students, parents, and educators to participate in local decision-making about educational technology and contribute to the state and national dialogue about digital learning. Mirakle spoke about her experiences as a Student Technology Leader and shared her views on student engagement and empowerment in learning.  She discussed rethinking the role of technology in education and ways to improve schools and address issues of equity. Mirakle being the only student selected from our area is a testament to her zealous spirit and charismatic leadership.   

Mirakle is a major asset to the Student Technology Leadership Program.  Everyone that has had the opportunity to work with her describes her as an intelligent, kind, and courageous young lady.  Mirakle would like to attend a four-year college to study business management.  She dreams of becoming an entrepreneur.  Congratulations to our spotlight intern!  

Galib Ovik is a Buffalo Public Schools alumnus.  He graduated from Lewis J. Bennett School of Innovative Technology #363 in 2020.  Galib was a part of the Student Technology Leadership Program’s (STLP) Summer Internship's first cohort of interns in 2018.  His vision and input helped shape future summer and school year internship opportunities for other Buffalo Public Schools' students. As a summer intern, Galib prepared and distributed student devices, produced instructional videos for teacher and student use, and provided technical support to a summer camp for kids at a local church.  Galib participated in the STLP’s summer internship for three summers. As a Student Technology Leader at Lewis J. Bennett, Galib had the opportunity to work with Associated Press Reporter Carolyn Thompson to discuss his summer internship experiences and share the work that he and his peers were doing around the school to help with technology.      

After graduating, Galib interviewed to work for the district's technical services vendor, Alternative Information Systems (AIS), where he currently works part-time as an IT Technician.  As an IT Tech, he supports various technology throughout the district.  Everyone that has had the pleasure of getting to know and work with Galib describe him as driven, benevolent, charismatic, and bright.    

Galib currently attends the University at Buffalo where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry.  He aspires to be a world-renowned heart surgeon.  Congratulations to our alumnus spotlight intern!