Peer leadership

This week, Steve and I participated in the first session of the new peer leadership program at the high school. Through the program, 22 juniors and sophomores from around the school will learn how to promote respect among their classmates and friends. Half of the students came from the ESOL program and were familiar faces to us. I had only seen students from the other half in passing, but they too were very involved at their school. They included cheerleaders, JROTC cadets, and National Honor Society members.

During the first day, all of the students got to know each other and learned about prejudice and discrimination. The facilitators, Jerry and Fatimah, led the group through fun exercises--like making identity sculptures out of pipe cleaners and writing stories about lemons--that got students talking and working together.

While the population of the high school is diverse, students from different groups aren't always friends with each other and don't even necessarily know each other. One of the best things about the day was seeing students who have never met share their perspectives with each as they prepare to become leaders within the school. We'll be continuing the training in the next two weeks. I look forward to seeing the students continue to learn together then.