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Social Emotional Learning and Advisory Approaches AISBucharest. CEESA Counselor Conference April 5-6, 2013 Cathy Ottaviano, Grade 6-9 Counselor. Current Status of Advisory/Counseling Programs at AISB.
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Social Emotional Learningand Advisory Approaches AISBucharest CEESA Counselor Conference April 5-6, 2013 Cathy Ottaviano, Grade 6-9 Counselor
Current Status of Advisory/Counseling Programs at AISB • 2010-2011 Planning and approvals for Our Program Initiatives of HS Peer Counseling and Social Emotional Experiential Learning Class • Additionally we were involved in implementing the OlweusBully Prevention Program School wide • Peer Counselors HS Implemented 2011-2012 • Use Natural Helpers Program and modified it • Teaches students to be better friends and refer to counselors more difficult problems • Off campus retreat Thursday noon to Saturday noon and ongoing training • Social Emotional Experiential Learning Class Implemented 2011-2012 Grades 8 and 10 (Based on Rachel Kessler’s Soul of Education) • Dedicated time in schedule 40 minutes twice a week, counselor taught • Peer Facilitator conducted Advisory in Grades 6-7 Implemented 2012-2013 after a false start initially • Peer Facilitator conducted Advisory Planned for 2013-2014 Grade 9
MS AdvisoryUsing Peer Facilitators CEESA Counselor’s Conference April 5-6, 2013
Initial False Start—Teachers Planning Advisory • August/Sept 2012 started to work with teachers to plan advisory lessons with common planning time, etc • First set of advisories devoted to Icebreakers and then planning fall field trip • 6 advisories devoted to Anti bullying discussions (lessons already prepared) • Did NOT work well—time to plan was a problem, teachers feeling overwhelmed, lack of buy in, etc
Enter Peer Facilitator Idea • Peer Facilitator approach was suggested by one of our new teachers who came to us from ISManila. • User friendly lesson using YouTube video to introduce the topic and then Peer Facilitators (PF’s) facilitate a discussion on the topic with the advisory groupusing Essential Questions • PF’s used in their Grades 9 and 10, called G-Talks (short for Guidance Talks)—Counselor met with PF group at lunch to review each week’s G-Talk • Decided that with modification this approach could work with Grades 6 and 7 • Began training and implementation in second semester this year • AISB calls it A-Talks (Advisory Talks), or Advisory Peer Facilitators
The Goals for Grades 6 and 7 • Student centered facilitated lessons called A-Talks (Advisory Talks) on Guidance Topics using easy to use format with YouTube and other short videos • Teachers assist with having You Tube video ready to go • Student goals are to build deeper connections with each other through encouraging inclusion and building bonds among them • Teachers help monitor student behavior in support of the peer facilitators and guide where needed
Logistics for Program Implementation • Principal Approval of new Approach • Announcement to teachers of new revamped approach • Student survey of topics desired was conducted and tabulated • Sought a strong Co-Leader Among Teachers • Counselor and co-leader conducted 2 Morning 4 hour Workshops to Train Selected Students as Peer Facilitators • Student selection by volunteers. • Conducted meeting with teachers to discuss program, student training initiative and goals • Began the program—students wanted to do ‘Ensemble Building’ first
Benefits of Peer Facilitator Approach • Train students in Facilitation skills • Students hone leadership skills • Teachers don’t have to plan an additional lesson (just support) or do social/emotional lessons they are uncomfortable delivering • Build teacher confidence subtly in delivering social emotional content • Peers lead the way showing classmates the benefit of developing good connections and bonds with the group • Students get to know each other in a deeper way than normal