SEL Awardee

Kenia Estevez

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Lawrence Public Schools
Lawrence, MA
“The Advisory Reps group was started this year to put students in the driver's seat of ENLACE's social-emotional work. All students are invited to join this space to imagine what they want for their school community, and they are given the freedom to work on projects that are important to them. Current Advisory Reps have reviewed school data and identified goals for next year. They hope to meet weekly to plan field trips, volunteer events, physical activities, and cultural festivals. When asked how they want to grow, students expressed a desire to learn outside of the school's walls, meet students different from them, move their bodies, and celebrate their culture. They want to develop self-confidence, leadership skills, working on a team, increase their understanding of the world, and learn to resolve conflict. Advisory Reps will drive the planning and execution of these learning opportunities, and develop critical leadership skills and self-confidence in the process. Advisory Reps will participate in leadership training through a partner organization, Project Adventure, to develop their leadership values at the beginning of the year. This project will deepen ENLACE's approach to social-emotional learning by giving students a platform to dream and execute the learning experiences they want.”
Tags: ELs, High School, New Arrivals, Teacher, Traditional Public School, Urban