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Students in IDRA Youth TechXperts, VisionCoders, Valued Youth Partnership and Youth Leadership Now described how leadership opportunities, mentoring and STEM learning changed how they see themselves and their futures.

Adopt a School! IDRA is seeking funds for 2026-27 to enable more schools and students to participate in these highly-popular programs. Learn more at www.idra.org or contact IDRA at contact@idra.org.

Students in four IDRA in-school programs received awards this month in our annual reflection contest. Through essays, poems, videos and artwork, students shared how their experience changed how they see themselves and their futures in college and career paths.

For decades, IDRA has upheld a belief that all students have intelligence, potential and power beyond what schools often expect. But it is not a mere attitude. It requires intentional strategies, like creating purposeful experiences in classrooms, recognizing student strengths and contributions, and maintaining positive relationships between teachers and students.

Designed for students who are in at-risk circumstances, each of these IDRA programs demonstrates what happens when schools use innovative, asset-based practices.

IDRA Youth TechXperts student, Victor Espinoza, said: “[IDRA Youth TechXperts] has helped change the way I think about my future. I used to not want to go to college, but now I want to go for tech so I can get my degree and get a good job. ” Victor attends Vela Middle School in Brownsville ISD.

In IDRA Youth TechXperts, middle school students become technical support specialists for their schools. IDRA provides participating schools with dynamic, hands-on, and student-led project-based learning (PBL) modules and year-long technology support experiences in collaboration with the participating districts’ IT departments. The students also gain mentoring relationships with local STEM professionals, and IDRA facilitates workforce development-related paid summer internships.

Youth TechXperts student, Katia Ramírez, said: “IDRA has helped me notice how much I want to make a difference and be among the few to persuade women into these male-dominated fields.” She attends Vela Middle School in Brownsville ISD.

IDRA VisionCoders student, Danna Rico Granados, said: “VisionCoders helped me believe in myself. I’ve realized that I can do hard things as long as I don’t give up. It’s inspired me to keep exploring technology, and I’m even thinking about a career in coding now.” Danna attends Robert C. Zamora Middle School in South San Antonio ISD.

IDRA VisionCoders is a high-quality, social-emotional learning and asset-based college prep program for students in at-risk situations. The program’s core is a middle school computer science and leadership course where students become software designers who create educational games for elementary students and use guided cutting-edge technology like generative AI. VisionCoders students are also mentored by high school students.

Robert Hernández, who attends Robert C. Zamora Middle School in South San Antonio ISD, said: “Being part of VisionCoders by IDRA made me more aware of how important access to education really is. Not everyone gets the same opportunities, especially when it comes to technology. Some students don’t get exposed to coding or programs like this at all. Being in this program made me realize that what we were learning wasn’t just an extra activity; it was something that could actually open doors for people in the future. In a way, programs like these help narrow the academic achievement gap by giving more students access to skills that are becoming more important every day.”

Fourth grader in the IDRA Valued Youth Partnership, Kaileah Evans, said: “Tutoring means a lot to me. When I see her [tutee’s] face, it lights up and she comes and gives me a big hug. IDRA Valued Youth Partnership means so much to me because… I want to be a teacher because I love helping kids.” Kaileah attends Franz Leadership Academy, Judson ISD.

The IDRA Valued Youth Partnership is an award-winning leadership development and college pathways program that works by identifying late elementary and secondary students and enlisting them as tutors of elementary youngsters – their tutees – who are also struggling in school.

Tutors’ grades improve, and they have fewer disciplinary referrals and fewer absences because someone is not only looking forward to them being at school, someone is counting on them. The program has a 40-year track record of success, keeping 98% of tutors in school. Community First supports the program in Judson ISD.

Eighth grader Carisma Vasquez said: “Youth Leadership Now has helped me find my voice… YLN has taught me to not see obstacles as dead ends but to see them as puzzles to be solved.” Carisma attends East Montana Middle School in Clint ISD in the El Paso area.

IDRA Youth Leadership Now is an in-school program for eighth-grade students that combines three winning strategies: the IDRA Valued Youth Partnership with middle schoolers deemed high-need becoming tutors of elementary students; teacher mentoring to prepare students for high school; and our family leadership model, IDRA Education CAFE™, by engaging families and tutors in youth action research projects for their school community. The teacher mentors also participate in a professional learning community to impact the wider campus.

Reyna Trujillo-Jimenez, who attends Fabens Middle School in Fabens ISD in the El Paso area, said: “I used to think no one noticed me, as if I didn’t have a purpose… Everyone in my class makes me feel so special and cared for. I finally have a purpose for school. These kids mean so much to me.”

Reflection Contest Winners

IDRA VisionCoders

First Place: Sofia Gover, Robert C. Zamora Middle School, South San Antonio ISD

Second Place: Danna Rico Granados, Robert C. Zamora Middle School, South San Antonio ISD

Third Place: Robert Hernández, Robert C. Zamora Middle School, South San Antonio ISD

IDRA Youth TechXperts

First Place: Diony Ahumada, Faulk Middle School, Brownsville ISD

Second Place: Katia Ramírez, Vela Middle School, Brownsville ISD

Third Place: Bryana Martínez García, Vela Middle School, Brownsville ISD

IDRA Youth Leadership Now

First Place: Emeline Pendleton, Robert C. Zamora Middle School, South San Antonio ISD

Second Place: Israel Flores , Horizon Middle School, Clint ISD, El Paso area

Third Place: Reyna Trujillo-Jimenez, Fabens Middle School, Fabens ISD, El Paso area

IDRA Valued Youth Partnership

at Franz Leadership Academy, Judson ISD, San Antonio

First Place: Kaileah Evans

Second Place: Jorge Marin Deler

Third Place: Brysin Ricard

See all winning reflections at: www.idra.org

FAQs

What types of student programs are featured in this article?

The article highlights four IDRA programs: Youth TechXperts, VisionCoders, Valued Youth Partnership and Youth Leadership Now. These programs focus on leadership development, STEM learning, mentoring and student engagement.

How do IDRA programs support students?

Students described gaining confidence, leadership skills, mentoring experiences and stronger interest in college and career pathways through hands-on learning and supportive relationships.

What is asset-based education?

Asset-based education focuses on students’ strengths, talents and leadership potential rather than perceived deficits. IDRA programs use this approach to help students build confidence and engagement in school.

How does VisionCoders support students?

VisionCoders is a middle school computer science and leadership program where students create educational games for younger students while developing coding, problem-solving and leadership skills.

What is IDRA Youth TechXperts?

Youth TechXperts is a middle school STEM program where students become technical support specialists for their schools while gaining hands-on technology experience, mentoring and workforce development opportunities.

What is the Valued Youth Partnership?

The IDRA Valued Youth Partnership is a leadership and college pathways program where students tutor younger children, strengthening school engagement, confidence and academic success.

What is Youth Leadership Now?

Youth Leadership Now is an eighth-grade leadership program that combines peer tutoring, teacher mentoring and family engagement to strengthen student leadership and school success.

[© 2026, IDRA. This article originally appeared in the May edition of the IDRA Newsletter. Permission to reproduce this article is granted provided the article is reprinted in its entirety and proper credit is given to IDRA and the author.]