Kaylan Agarwal

Kaylan Agarwal is an educator and the Lead Middle School Guide at Acton Academy Venice Beach, a nontraditional K-12 school that employs a combination of Montessori methods and a Hero's Journey-centric pedagogy. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in June 2021, with a double major in Sociology and African & Black Diaspora Studies from DePaul University. Her capstone project focused on the integration of emancipatory education with the Montessori Method, specifically aimed at supporting the intellectual and social liberation of Black students and their communities.

In her role at Acton Academy, Kaylan directed the curriculum for students aged 11-14, collaborating with guides across all grade levels to create individualized lesson plans and activities. Her teaching approach emphasizes self-directed learning, critical thinking, and civics education, drawing on her background in emancipatory education as influenced by Paulo Freire and bell hooks. Additionally, she managed various administrative tasks such as enrollment and recruitment, showcasing her multifaceted skill set in both education and school management.1