Student Leadership Opportunities at TRACE CROSSINGS

PALS*Peers

*Assisting *Leading *Serving

PALS Group – 2012-13

Be ProactiveI observed a need to address how to better

provide leadership opportunities.

– One opportunity – a peer helper, ambassador-type role. In past, reading buddies, etc.

– Parent perception

Growing leaders through opportunities to help peers

Begin With The End in MindWhat Are Our Most Pressing Needs?

• There was no coordinated system to identify, select, and train students to learn skills to become better leaders.– Parent request– Teacher/administrator input

Leadership in action

Put First Things First• 4th Grade• 25% of grade were peer helpers making it

difficult to provide meaningful leadership activities

Think Win, Win• Several options to consider for

identification, selection, training• Spring of 3rd grade/beginning of school in August for

identification and selection. Training is the week prior to school and 2x month during club time.

Leading by example

Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood

• How to improve leadership opportunities?• a)By using tools and information acquired in the

NAPPP (National Association for Peer Program Professionals) conference

• TCES book study group which focused on the book, The Leader in Me

• A site visit to Priceville Elementary School, a Leader in Me Lighthouse School.

Leading by sharing knowledge

Synergize

• Kindergarten classes• PE classes – Kindergarteners• Lunchroom – breakfast and lunch• All classrooms – for new students• Lunch bunch • Newcomer’s Club• Garden• Community Service projects

PALS TRAINING AT TCESSharpen The Saw

• Set up communication system/plan for parents/students

• Schedule designated days/make-up days prior to school starting

• Incorporate team-building activities, teach information about empathy, active listening, confidentiality

• On-going training (i.e. bi-monthly during club time)• Add some fun, food, and PALS t-shirts!

Implementing Peer Helping in a PreK-3rd Grade Setting Using Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

By: sblount@bcbe.org/echilds@bcbe.org (Baldwin County, AL public schools)

Be ProactiveWhy Peer Helping? Peer helping is effective as prevention or intervention strategy related to social problems.

Begin with the End in Mind What are our most pressing needs? What are our measurable goals?

Put First Things First How will we select our Peer Helpers? How will they be identified?What activities will they be involved in?What materials/supplies do I need?What is my budget?

Think Win/WinHow will I train our Peer Helpers?What activities will facilitate group bonding?

Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

Where will I get professional development as a Counselor/Teacher Facilitator?How will we pursue administration/faculty buy-in?

SynergizeWho on the faculty might be willing to co-facilitate?Is feeder pattern student training an option?Utilize NAPPP resources at www.peerprogramprofessionals.org

Sharpen the SawPeer Helping begins in the heart? What will I do to keep the fire burning?