Welcome back ACHS YESS readers and stans!
October was a monumental month for our community, school, and individual classes. I say this because every week during October there were events going on that interfered with regularly scheduled class schedules (testing, off days, early releases, holidays, snow day). This made it a bit challenging for us to dive deep into a unit with adequate attendance and lesson engagement. However, we made due with the longer days that we did have together and, despite the inconsistency of the month, we made it work. Learning took place around the topic of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) domains, Values, Goals, Shared Agreements (class norms), and the tip of the iceberg that is our Culture lesson. The depth we were able to reach during such a tumultuous month was made possible by each group's bond that is strengthened by all of our team building activities we have been doing almost every day in some big or small capacity. Speaking of each individual class, each group has a team name that will be on the back of our shirts (the winning design can be found below) and the names that they came up with are DEFINITELY reflective of the culture in each individual group.
BLOCK 2 - Team DBZ FTW (Dragon Ball Z for the Win)
BLOCK 3 - Team OTS (On the Set)
BLOCK 4 - Team In the Kitchen Whippin Chicken
BLOCK 6 - Team Say Sike Right Now
BLOCK 7 - Team Ahaha
If you are wondering what some of these names mean, join the club... They are creative and very strange but I love them. Slowly but surely, students are coming out of their shells and finding their voices and sense of belonging in our class.
One such student who comes to mind is Morgan Abell. Morgan is someone who has stood out to me since the beginning of last year when she started in the program as a freshman Mentee. Last year she was shy and timid until she met her senior mentor, Izzy (Isabella) who brought her out of her shell. Izzy was constantly checking up on her, both in and out of class, and even doing her make up on the weekends just for fun. They acted as sisters and looked out for each other, bringing out the best in each other and supporting each other during challenging conversations. This year, Morgan was sad to be without Izzy until she met Naomi. Naomi, a freshman, came into the program embodying a soft spoken shyer student until she sat next to Morgan in 4th block. Morgan saw herself in Naomi and was quick to make her feel welcome as she saw herself in her. Morgan's sense of empathy, kindness, selflessness and leadership quickly exemplified mentor material, thus making Morgan one of the youngest mentors in the program. She keeps Naomi on track with her grades and even walks her to class to keep her from ditching!
The Mentee of the month is Christian Kaiser. Christian entered the program last year but due to personal reasons he had to withdraw. At the beginning of the year he pleaded to be let into the program again as he was deeply in search of his identity and told me that he was just starting to discover it when he had to drop the class and that he missed it over the summer. I told him that if he were to be let in that he would need to prove himself and earn his seat in our class. He has done just this by showing up consistently and, unlike last year, he is openly receiving help from the Mentors at his table, Yahir and Val. He has a enthusiastic sense of wonder toward topics that relate to emotions and identity and takes constructive criticism like an athlete wanting to learn how to be the best. He is quick to correct his mistakes and is actively taking accountability for his tendencies that lean towards poor choices at times and is quick to forgive those around him. He is someone who is committed to growth, sharing his vulnerability, and receiving support. Without Christian, our 7th block would not have a role model mentee and my days would not be as bright and full of humor.
Regarding overall program growth, each class gave input on what they want out of this space and content for the year and an overwhelming theme that was requested was help for improving mental health and confidence. While this class is by no means a self-identified therapy class, we do provide content that allows for students to dig deeper into who they are, what they believe, and how this influences how they act. Every lesson could be tied back to mental health in some way shape or form so it is my goal and the mentor leader's goal to bring each lesson back to the needs and wants of our unique community.
That brings me to one of the most exciting milestones of the month- OUR MENTOR LEADERS HAVE BEEN HIRED. Lauren, Sharmaine, Andrea, Kristina, and Brittany went through a rigorous application and interview process that allowed for them to rise to the challenge of what will be a great opportunity to explore their leadership potential. The photo of the girls can be found in the photos below from our very first mentor leader meeting which will be held weekly for an hour after school on Thursdays to discuss the week's challenges, goals, and lesson plan ideas. I chose students who were qualified to express their opinions and were also willing but scared to take charge of a class. I wanted students who were nervous but hopeful, this ensures that we will be seeing growth. Growth in themselves, their students, and myself as a co-facilitator, mentor, and guide. I am so excited to see how they flourish and overcome in the next 8 months together!!!
Second period circle talk- Lauren's first time to lead them solo!
Kristina's first circle talk! And yes that is a Christmas tree put up on Nov. 1st
All the mentor leaders for the 19-20 year. I'm in for an interesting next 8 months with this group!
A video a student took of her journey entering my classroom on Halloween... Muaaahaha
Interactive SEL Domain activity where students displayed their understanding of SEL by sticking slips with their choseing current events written on them. In the activity that understood the relation of Social-Emotional Learning to past/present/future, themselves, those around them, and social justice in both micro and macro capacities.
demonstration of a takeaway from our Value's lesson that Vince from North shared, thanks Vince! This was a very moving experiential activity.
Our shared agreements from two classes. Each class was to come up with their own rules in which we will hold each other accountable for, including me.
WHAT IS TO COME IN MORE DEPTH NEXT MONTH......
Until next time,
Ms. C
