As an educational team at Edge we have one main goal…for every Edge student to be known and supported for who they are and how they best learn. We check-in daily to give our high school students a voice and to ensure they are truly, honestly and compassionately heard. Our secondary goal, if needed in any big or small way, is to provide supports and encouragement as we remove any barriers that may arise. Our Edge HImmel Park Principal Rob Pecharich dives in to explain the methods to our collective check-in approach:
1 – How does Edge check-in with every alternative high school student in grades 9-12?
- Edge’s self-paced instructional model is built upon 1:1 instruction which affords our teachers and students multiple opportunities per class period to check-in on academics AND well-being.
- Our staff is receiving training in Youth Mental Health First Aid and we understand how and when to engage students who may be burdened or disengaged with schoolwork.
- Our teachers frequently provide students the opportunity to assess how they are doing both in school and in life, through prompts at the beginning and end of class. We provide an outlet for students to privately share with teachers what they are experiencing.
- Our students have access to a licensed social worker on staff, who listens without judgement, teaches coping mechanisms including self-care strategies, and diligently works to connect students to outside resources.
- Our students can schedule 1:1 meetings with teachers and staff before or after school, according to their schedules and other commitments. .
- Our check-ins occur during class, before or after class. We reach out in person, via phone, Google Meets, or even through texting. We connect however we can to ensure our students are heard.
2 – How does Edge create and maintain a trusting bond with students?
At Edge, all staff go by our first names with our students. While this approach is unique and hard to get used to, it works. This everyone-on-a-first-name-basis-idea signals to students from the moment they walk in our doors that they will be treated differently at Edge.
So many students come to us with horror stories of how they were treated by educators at previous schools, often experiencing shame, humiliation, and disrespect. The intent of going by a first name basis is to communicate to every student, you are a human being, and I am a human being. Let’s treat each other with mutual respect.
In addition, with intent, we teach Growth Mindsets and the science behind it. We teach our Edge high school students that their brain is a muscle. We teach how we all can train and exercise our brains, and learn anything. We discuss the science of neuroplasticity and the science behind the fact that our brain learns best when it struggles. In other words, we must fail to learn.
When students demonstrate self-doubt and a fixed mindset, by exclaiming: “I’ve never been good at math, my mom hates math, I’ll never be good at math,” we respond by saying: “Maybe not YET, but we will get there.” We use the power of “yet” to encourage every student to persist and we share proven strategies to grow their brain and overcome obstacles.
3 – What is the scope of what a check-in can be?
Edge students are encouraged to self-advocate for a check-in with a teacher, administrator, or counselor anytime they need our compassion and support. Check-ins occur before or after school or during a teacher’s planning periods or our students can request check-ins through our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum platform.
We carve out physical space for check-ins like in classrooms during planning periods or in small rooms we call “breakout rooms” which are spaces dedicated to quiet, meaningful conversations. Sometimes, we might also choose to take a walk together outside. If our students need our ears or our guidance, they have it. Always.
4 – Is there a structure to the check-in?
Check-ins are fluid and focused. We seek to understand and listen without judgement, provide support and meaningful options as needed. We never stop caring about every Edge student. We are all in for every one of our high school students.
Here’s how to find us to talk about our check-ins or anything else that’s’ on your mind. We are YOUR alternative high school. We are YOUR people.
Himmel Park
Rob Pecharich, District Principal: [email protected]
Carla Rivera, Dean of Students: [email protected]
Darryl Cornell, Academic Advisor: [email protected]
Lo Sanders, Counselor: [email protected]
Northwest
Dave Thatcher, Principal: [email protected]
Lo Sanders, Counselor: [email protected]
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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!