🎶 Someone Like You- Reflections from GEAR UP West 2025 🎶
đź’« The Year That Was
The past year has been one of transition for so many in education. From shifting priorities to staffing changes, from uncertainty about what comes next to the quiet resilience it takes to keep showing up. It has felt like an emotional roller coaster.
There have been moments of exhaustion, questions about direction, and yet, through it all, the GEAR UP mission has continued to anchor us. For those of us who live and breathe this work, it’s easy to forget how powerful it is to be surrounded by people who share the same fire.
That’s why stepping into the GEAR UP West Conference this year felt like a breath of fresh air. A place to refuel, reconnect, and remember why we do this work in the first place.
🎤 A Conference to Remember
From the moment the Sunday evening dinner kicked off, it was clear that this year’s GEAR UP West was something special.
Whether it was the friendly competition at table trivia (with the hilariously creative team names paying tribute to all things Oregon), the keynote speakers who inspired us to think bigger and dig deeper, or the karaoke night that unveiled GEAR UP’s upcoming musical talent superstars, every moment radiated energy, joy, and purpose.
One of the best parts of GEAR UP West is the way it brings together familiar faces and new connections alike. Hallway conversations turn into impromptu collaborations. Coffee breaks lead to shared ideas and laughter that echo long after the conference ends.
đź“Š Sessions that Inspired and Informed
Of course, no GEAR UP West would be complete without the incredible sessions led by GEAR UP educators and partners from across the region. This year’s lineup offered something for everyone, from data and evaluation, to student and family engagement, to tried-and-true practices that continue to make a lasting impact in GEAR UP programs.
Xcalibur showcased our own team’s expertise through two sessions that blended data storytelling with real-world application:
📚 “Equipped with Evidence: A Systematic Review of GEAR UP Literature across the Five GPRA Indicators” presented by Julie Jaramillo, highlighted the depth of research supporting GEAR UP’s national impact and provided a powerful lens into evidence-based program practices.
💡 “Quick Tips to Clean Your Dirty Data” presented by Jordyn Chandler, offered hands-on strategies for cleaning, structuring, and preparing data to better serve programs and improve reporting accuracy. Participants not only were shown a demonstration, but were given a data set to practice with!
These sessions, along with so many others, reminded us of the collective strength that comes when educators, evaluators, and program leaders come together to learn, share, and grow.
🌟 Gratitude to the Hosts and Committee
A huge shout-out goes to the GEAR UP West planning committee, whose hard work and thoughtful coordination made the entire event possible. It takes tremendous collaboration to bring together programs from across the U.S., and this year’s committee delivered a conference that was both inspiring and impeccably organized.
And of course, sincere appreciation goes to Oregon GEAR UP for being such gracious hosts. You created a welcoming space where everyone felt at home and part of something meaningful. Your hospitality and warmth helped set the tone for a week filled with connection, reflection, and growth.
At Xcalibur, we’re thrilled to be partnering with Oregon GEAR UP, providing a data management system to support the incredible work happening across their state. We’re honored to stand alongside a team so deeply committed to student success, and we can’t wait to see the impact that comes from combining Oregon GEAR UP’s vision with tools designed to illuminate results.
🤝 Old Friends, New Faces
GEAR UP West always reminds us that this isn’t just a conference, it’s a community, those who understand the balance between data and heart, outcome and opportunity, accountability and compassion. It’s the smiles in the hallways, the stories shared over breakfast, the “remember when” moments that make you realize how far we’ve come.
We saw old friends, made new ones, and re-discovered that spark that connects us all; that belief that every student deserves opportunity, access, and support to reach their dreams.
❤️ Someone Like You
As the conference came to a close, the energy in the room was a mix of gratitude, inspiration, and connection. For a few short days, we were reminded that we’re not alone in this work. We were surrounded by people who share the same hope for students, the same passion for progress, and the same determination to keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles.
My hope is that we remember, especially during uncertain times, that the friendships built through GEAR UP aren’t fleeting; they’re the threads that keep us connected through each new challenge and success. They’re the quiet reassurance that together, we make the impossible possible.
Here’s to renewal. To purpose. To partnership. And to the power of finding 💛 someone like you 💛.