Purpose of the START LINK THINK TANK

Increase the Implementation of Peer to Peer Support Programs Across the

State of Michigan

Purpose of the Minute to Win It Competition

• Model fun needed in Peer to Peer Support Programs• Scoreboard Creates Synergy Amongst Peers • Creates Cooperative Experience between people that

don’t know each other• Common Theme• A role for a Student with ASD within the competition

Minute to Win It Games

• 2 games today! • 2 players - each game - each table!• Prizes for the winners!!!!• Support your table!

Game # 1

Q1: Was your participation in the LINK Think Tank Summer Institute valuable and energizing?

Q2: Did you walk away from the Summer Institute with ideas that you can use to improve

your peer to peer support program?

Q4: For any future Peer to Peer Summer Institutes, would you prefer a 1-day or 2-day format?

Q6: Was the size of the group (40 were invited) beneficial to your learning?

Q7: What is the ideal location for a future Summer Institute?

Q9: Would you like to meet with this group again next year?

Q10: Would you like to have ongoing communication with this group via an online format?

Lisa CarruthersTroy School DistrictThird Grade TeacherGeneral Education Teacher16 Years (all gen. ed.)

2nd year with P2P

Link Think TankElementary/High

SchoolJean DeBruynFraser SchoolsCross Categorical Self-Contained Resource Room Teacher18 years (gen. ed. & special ed. teacher)

8th year with P2P

Proud to be a…LEOPARD LINK!

Our journey began with ONE!

We ventured through the school year with some highs and lows.

We tackled each week TOGETHER knowing

we were “linked”

Lisa Carruthers 3rd Grade (former 5th grade teacher) Leonard Elementary School Troy, MI

Tips to Remember :Keep it simpleKeep it do-ableKeep it REAL!

Our Story…

• 29 third grade students with various needs that include:

General Education Classroom

– English Language Learners (5) – 2 of which are new to the country

– Reading Support (6)– Support Services such as

occupational therapy, teacher consultant, social work, etc. (4)

– ASD (1)

***TRAINING***

T.E.A.M. TimeTogether Everyone Achieves

MoreGOT 20 MINUTES?•Life changing experiences happen in an instant!•Peer to Peer programming CHANGES LIVES!•Teaching tolerance, understanding, patience, and more through the lens of a peer group!•Amazing things happen!Go SLOW to go

FAST!

WHERE ARE WE NOW?•Leonard Elementary School

• 1 Third Grade class, ALL of 4th Grade, and in process of ALL of 5th grade P2P programming by end of November

•Conversations about P2P with 6 out of 12 elementary schools•2 out of 4 middle school buildings implement Peer to Peer at some level•Both high schools implement Peer to Peer•Lots of START training currently and over the years•MORE TO COME!

Fraser P2P – Our Journey Started a bit LARGER!

Nine years ago, after going through intensive training, Fraser High School was where we knew we needed to be. Crazy? YES! Doable? YES, YES, YES!!!

What is Peer 2 Peer?

Peer 2 Peer is a social program designed to bring awareness and understanding about autism to Fraser High School.  Being a member of Peer to Peer means being a friend to someone on the autistic spectrum and supporting them throughout high school.

Development of P2P at FHS

Continual support from:•Administration and Board of Education (approved P2P seminars and common planning time)•Parents•MISD (training of staff)•FHS teachers (supporting use of peer buddies in the classroom)

Where are we now?*We have a peer support group in our middle school, in all 6 elementary schools, and peer to peer activities in our early childhood center. *Some of our elementary groups started a lot like Lisa’s did – find one child that needs the support and build a group around that child. *Other elementary groups were formed at certain grade levels that needed them. *Two of our elementary schools now have school-wide peer to peer support!

How did we do it?*We stuck together!

*We believed it could & must be done!*We followed the kids!

*We trusted each other and our students!*We knew lives would be changed!

Paul is the Homecoming

King!

Lives Changed!

No matter your job title…No matter general or special ed…

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLEBE THE GAME

CHANGER!MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

LINK THINK TANK

BOTTOM LINE

LINKTHINK

TANK

BE the Power of…

…like being a fish out of water!

remembering to breathe!

feeling like WE could do anything?

falling in love over and over, and over again!

This process experiences may include…

what a Link is really about!reflecting, learning, and THINKing about life through a new lens!

the gamut of emotions…

Most of all…

…MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

What is a LINK?

• A friend.• A leader.

• A peer support.

“I have been able to connect with new people and make friends. It changed my ways of seeing things. It made me want to reach out and be a

part of interacting with new people. It has been an amazing experience!”

What do LINKS do?

• Learn about a variety of disabilities. • Work as a team to problem-solve.

• Make a difference.

“LINKS has truly been a great experience! I’m so glad that I joined this program. I’ve made a lot of new friends and I really got to know my link. It feels

great to make a difference in somebody’s life.”

Why does LINKS need you?

LINKS needs you to make a difference

through . . .