Rooted in Community, Growing Toward Change
July 2025
“The more network you have in the community, the better your prospects for all kinds of things in life,” says Mike Todd, educator and Executive Director at The Community Academy (TCA), as he steps out of the bustling new greenhouse and shares about his work. Mike and 15-year-old Alyosha chat as old friends, sharing stories and lessons learned. Now in their eighth summer, TCA is helping dozens of students like Alyosha grow as service-minded citizens through hands-on learning and real community engagement.
In his work as a teacher, Mike sees too many students slip through the cracks in traditional education, often due to a lack of meaningful connections. He’s working to change that. “We are looking for ways to set up a system that impacts all kids,” he explains. Nearly half of the students attending TCA programs come from low-income households, but Mike firmly believes this shouldn’t hinder a child’s connectedness and opportunity. This is where partners like United Way of Story County create such an impact on the success of The Community Academy.
Students Find Purpose Through Service
Alyosha holds the same change-making mission, formed throughout his years of learning and collaborating at TCA. He enjoys traveling around the community to work with various organizations, learning that so much can be achieved together. “We don’t have to wait for other people to do it,” he shares. This mindset will stay with him and his friends from The Community Academy throughout their lives, creating “community members in the future that think, ‘WE. Let’s go far,’” as Mike puts it.
Strong connections and conversations with local changemakers inspire Alyosha. This year, The Community Academy welcomed longtime activist and educator Wayne Clinton to speak on Juneteenth. Following the speech, Alyosha got to ask Mr. Clinton questions and dive into all that he has faced head-on as he works to create a more inclusive community. As Alyosha looks toward his future and the impacts he hopes to make, conversations like this are invaluable.
Thanks to the educators at The Community Academy, local kids are growing up truly connected and empowered to make a difference. For these students, summer isn’t a break from learning- it’s a chance to lean in, become even more authentic, and grow together. “It’s all about them doing the work of our community, having fun, and having relationships with each other,” Mike adds. “We’re going to do something real.”