Idaya Renee Chambers (XVII) Named 2025 Renée M. Chung Prize Winner

Prep for Prep is proud to announce its second Renée M. Chung Prize awardee: Idaya Chambers (P9 XXX/Lawrenceville '21, Northwestern). This prize recognizes a graduating college senior who has demonstrated a commitment to a career in education. Idaya was selected for her passion for expanding access to high-quality education, dedication to fostering equitable learning environments, and commitment to intercultural exchange. Her journey to education has been shaped by a diverse range of experiences, including studying abroad, working in investment banking, and engaging in educational research. Ultimately, she realized that education was where she could make the greatest impact, dedicating herself to expanding transformative academic opportunities for students.

A dual-degree student at Northwestern University, Idaya is pursuing a Bachelor of Music at the Bienen School of Music and a Bachelor of Science in learning and organizational change at the School of Education & Social Policy. “My undergraduate journey has been anything but linear,” she reflects. “I initially pursued professional singing but realized I was more drawn to understanding how people learn, develop, and navigate opportunities.”

For Idaya, the passion for education is deeply personal. “At my core, I am passionate about education because it has shaped every opportunity I have had,” she explains. “Access to strong educational environments—from boarding school to Northwestern—allowed me to grow, explore my interests, and see beyond my immediate circumstances. I want to help expand access to high-quality education for diverse communities, ensuring more students can have the same transformative experiences.”

After graduation, Idaya will begin her career in early education abroad. She has secured a position as a homeroom teacher at Star Korrnell Academy, an international school in Hsinchu, Taiwan, where she will teach English language and literacy to young students. She is also a finalist for Princeton in Asia and has applied for a teaching role at YK Pao School, a K-12 boarding school in Shanghai. “Teaching abroad will not only allow me to refine my instructional skills but also immerse myself in diverse educational approaches that will inform my long-term career in education,” she shares.

Looking ahead, Idaya plans to return to the U.S. to pursue a graduate degree in education, with an interest in Northwestern’s Master of Science in Education (MSED) program or a fully funded PhD in learning sciences. “Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to education in a way that blends leadership, cross-cultural understanding, and instructional innovation, whether through direct teaching, school leadership, or shaping global education initiatives,” she says.

A pivotal moment in Idaya’s journey occurred during her time abroad, teaching in Taiwan. “It wasn’t until I worked at a cram school in Taiwan that I truly saw myself as a teacher,” she recalls. “I loved working with kids, witnessing their progress, and knowing I played a role in their learning journey. That experience solidified my passion for education in a way nothing else had.”

As she embarks on this next chapter, Idaya carries with her the lessons she has learned from her diverse experiences. “Ultimately, I seek a career that fosters passion, growth, and exploration,” she says. “Teaching abroad has given me a new perspective, and I hope to bring those experiences back to the U.S. to contribute meaningfully to education.”

Her journey embodies the spirit of the Renée M. Chung Prize, honoring those dedicated to creating equitable and transformative learning experiences for future generations.

Prep for Prep proudly celebrates Idaya Renee Chambers for her dedication to shaping the future of education and congratulates her as the 2025 Renée M. Chung Prize winner.