I could write a book on the wonderful impact that IndyKids has had on my students. As an educator who endeavors to create a well-rounded student, this organization has truly been a benefit to myself and my students. The first podcast, The Power of Kindness, sparked so many conversations and motivated my students. Parents and their children were thrilled that their little ones encouraged them to perform any act of kindness, no matter how small. Our second podcast, The Power of Art, encouraged the quiet, artistic creativity in their hearts. So many expressed their desire to become the future Carlos Mateu or Picasso. Their words not mine. Our third podcast, The Power of Dance, was, in one word, phenomenal. This was connected to our curriculum focusing on dances around the world. The warmth of our fabulous instructor Ms. Em, the interviews and the podcasts have given each and every child an unforgettable experience. This has inspired some of them to have future goals of working with IndyKids. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your support.
Warm Regards,
Ms. Perry
Teacher
P.S. 117 The Joyce Keld Briarwood School
On November 23, 2013, I wrote my first email to reach out to IndyKids… and ever since, we have been engaged in such a fantastic journey!
Thank you, IndyKids, and happy 20th anniversary!
I sincerely appreciate your dedication to nurturing the next generation of journalists. Your efforts are genuinely inspiring. By giving kids the opportunity to see their work in print, you are not only building their confidence but also teaching them the importance of informed expression and civic engagement. It’s wonderful to see how you encourage them to explore important topics and share their unique perspectives with a broader audience.
Thank you for your commitment to empowering young people and for making such a significant positive impact on their lives and our community. We sincerely appreciate your efforts and look forward to seeing the continued success of the young journalists you inspire.
Sincerely,
Claudia Oquel-Hirsch
Teacher
P.S. 128 M The Audubon School
ndyKids empowers young writers by pairing them with journalist mentors who help them find their voice and use writing to speak up for what matters. It’s amazing to see shy students grow into confident journalists—interviewing, researching, and publishing their own stories!
Best of all, the program makes this opportunity available to all kids, especially those who need it most. IndyKids doesn’t just teach writing—it inspires a love for learning, self-expression, and making a difference! What I love the most about IndyKids is that it is “For Kids by Kids!” and I get to use, in my classroom, news articles and podcasts produced by my own students as a teaching tool. Year after year, I have the privilege of having three to five IndyKids authors who are part of my class. So the rest of the class gets to talk to the authors, discuss relevant and complex topics from a kids’ perspective. The engagement level and the conversations are fascinating. The students whose work has been published get to present their work to their peers, go over their process, and answer questions. The look on students’ faces is priceless: the authors look so proud, and the audience looks so inspired!
Thank you, IndyKids crew,
Heriberta Osoria
5th grade dual language teacher
P.S. 128 M The Audubon School
