|
|
|
Wilmington, Del. —
Teenagers are under far more pressure than their parents and even perhaps their older siblings, and are finding it harder and harder to express their feelings of stress, alienation, and pressures to succeed, according to educators. Too often, teens lash out at each other because they simply do not know how to deal with what they are truly feeling.
Enter Challenge Day – an award-winning program that teaches compassion and respect to teens. Challenge Day is in its second year at Springer Middle School and it involves breaking down barriers and promoting school and community environments based in understanding, acceptance and love.
About 100 teens and 25 adults participated in the innovative daylong workshops held Monday for the eighth grade and on Tuesday for the seventh grade.
Positive Behavior Support Coordinator Jane Conlon is responsible for bringing Challenge Day to Springer. Conlon learned about the program as she was training to be a life coach, and became discouraged because she was surrounded by people with longer résumés.
“I was the only teacher in the group,” she said. “And I thought, how am I going to implement this stuff at school?”
Conlon said she researched the program online and even saw Oprah promote it on her show. She said the program helps kids in many ways.
“Bullying is everywhere,” she said. “Kids today think they have to live with put-downs; if you turn on the Jersey Shore it’s no wonder. Kids are under such pressure and are scared they are going to lose power.”
During Challenge Day, students, teachers, school counselors and parents were challenged to step out of their comfort zones, open their hearts and build connections with others. Two trained Challenge Day Leaders, Bernice Maza and Jon Gordon, guided participants through a carefully-designed series of games, activities, and trust-building exercises designed to create new levels of empathy and respect.
Amanda Wade, an eight-grade student, said she was anxious going into the day’s events but thought it was a great experience.
“I have learned to express myself better and tell people how I am feeling and to not keep it inside,” said Wade.
One of her classmates, Kayla Mosley, 13, also felt nervous at the start of the day. Mosely felt that prior to Challenge Day, speaking her mind was an act of honesty, regardless of people’s feelings.
“I realize now that what I was saying was hurtful,” Mosely said.
Durand Young, 13, learned that the people in his class that look tough are soft on the inside.
“The sad people tend to pick on one person,” he said.
Tony Andrews, 13, who admitted to being teased a lot, thinks the program is going to last beyond just one day.
“I got teased a lot but now, people are looking up to me,” he said.
Teenagers are under far more pressure than their parents and even perhaps their older siblings, and are finding it harder and harder to express their feelings of stress, alienation, and pressures to succeed, according to educators. Too often, teens lash out at each other because they simply do not know how to deal with what they are truly feeling.
Enter Challenge Day – an award-winning program that teaches compassion and respect to teens. Challenge Day is in its second year at Springer Middle School and it involves breaking down barriers and promoting school and community environments based in understanding, acceptance and love.
About 100 teens and 25 adults participated in the innovative daylong workshops held Monday for the eighth grade and on Tuesday for the seventh grade.
Positive Behavior Support Coordinator Jane Conlon is responsible for bringing Challenge Day to Springer. Conlon learned about the program as she was training to be a life coach, and became discouraged because she was surrounded by people with longer résumés.
“I was the only teacher in the group,” she said. “And I thought, how am I going to implement this stuff at school?”
Conlon said she researched the program online and even saw Oprah promote it on her show. She said the program helps kids in many ways.
“Bullying is everywhere,” she said. “Kids today think they have to live with put-downs; if you turn on the Jersey Shore it’s no wonder. Kids are under such pressure and are scared they are going to lose power.”
During Challenge Day, students, teachers, school counselors and parents were challenged to step out of their comfort zones, open their hearts and build connections with others. Two trained Challenge Day Leaders, Bernice Maza and Jon Gordon, guided participants through a carefully-designed series of games, activities, and trust-building exercises designed to create new levels of empathy and respect.
Amanda Wade, an eight-grade student, said she was anxious going into the day’s events but thought it was a great experience.
“I have learned to express myself better and tell people how I am feeling and to not keep it inside,” said Wade.
One of her classmates, Kayla Mosley, 13, also felt nervous at the start of the day. Mosely felt that prior to Challenge Day, speaking her mind was an act of honesty, regardless of people’s feelings.
“I realize now that what I was saying was hurtful,” Mosely said.
Durand Young, 13, learned that the people in his class that look tough are soft on the inside.
“The sad people tend to pick on one person,” he said.
Tony Andrews, 13, who admitted to being teased a lot, thinks the program is going to last beyond just one day.
“I got teased a lot but now, people are looking up to me,” he said.
