Edge High School’s individualized lesson plans support each learner with classes and schedules that work for you. In addition to the standard curriculum in math, writing, and social studies, our tuition-free charter school offers a wide range of elective courses to choose from.
Core electives include Yoga, PE, Art, Employability Skills and Student Council. But we are expanding our list of partner electives to include new courses based on student interests and requests. These electives often focus on building self-esteem, social and emotional wellness, and healthy relationships – skills that all of us need to be successful in life after high school.
“I Am Somebody”
“I Am Somebody” is a current elective taught by Edge math teacher LaGail Pearson. LaGail is involved with IAmYou360.org and became a certified trainer to teach the elective at Edge. It’s a popular course, with over 15 students registered each session.
What is it?
“I Am Somebody” is a curriculum that helps students build self worth and self confidence. It teaches students how to be vulnerable, how to think positive…which leads to empowerment and more self-compassion.” (Rob Pecharich, Executive Director and District Principal, Edge High School).
“I Am Somebody” is an award-winning and innovative curriculum created by Tucson entrepreneur Desiree Cook, founder and CEO of another Tucson non-profit, I Am You 360. Learn about I Am You 360 here:
The I Am Somebody class at Edge is an abbreviated form of the empowerment program that has been developed to help the youth in our community to not only find their voice and their story, but to own and use their voice and their story as a way to validate themselves. LaGail encourages students to be self-aware, self-confident, and to empower themselves and others. Edge provides a safe space for all learners in our school, but especially during this class. Students feel safe to share their stories and their experiences and learn how to turn their grief into growth.
How does it work?
One feature of our weekly “I Am Somebody” class is the “mirror” activity. Students look into a hand-mirror and repeat positive affirmations. This simple exercise is so effective! Students face themselves and, by doing so, face who they are. This exercise has evoked some strong responses in students. But, to their credit, they stay in the class and finish the course. “I Am Somebody” students will leave class with real-life tools that will enable them to know how to use their voice and be heard. This can often mean the difference in society between just being “at the table” and being a determining factor “at the table”.
Interested in learning more?
Our unconventional tuition-free charter high school welcomes all learners, and supports paths to graduation that are as unique as each of our students. Find out more and enroll today!
About Edge
EDGE is a Cognia accredited, tuition-free, charter high school, with two campuses in the greater Tucson area. We provide an alternative to traditional education, meeting the diverse learning and life needs of our students with our blended curriculum and flexible morning or afternoon class schedules. Our high-quality, passionate teachers are dedicated to individualized instruction in our small academic classes. Be you. With us. At Edge.