"Home"

As I was reading this chapter I received an email from one of my assistant principals about a new club that the administration and teachers are trying to start up at the high school.  According to this email, this group (named OneSmithfield) is, “an effort to improve student interactions and decrease negative and hurtful behaviors".  According to the email some of the focuses are going to include, but not be limited to increasing awareness in areas such as ethnicity, gender, sexual preference, social status, and disabilities – many of the topics that we have been discussing throughout this program.  The purpose of this group is, “to promote an awareness of tolerance, respect, and diversity throughout the student body at Smithfield High School.”

Later that day, as I was looking at various videos, I found an inspirational video about a high school student who started a Twitter account used to compliment people and fight cyber bullying.  I am really encouraged by this video and think that it would be so great in high schools everywhere.  

It sounds to me like the goal of the groups OneSmithfield and West High Bros is to start focusing on creating safe spaces or the idea of “home” where people can “explore options for healthy development.” (pg. 107)  OneSmithfield already has three co-advisors and is looking for one more.  Without being present in the high school on a daily basis, I can already theorize that the teachers who have agreed to be advisors are already the teachers, “where youth gather before school, at lunch, and after school.” (pg. 108)  These teachers likely have some similar qualities to Ms. Peterson, who is clearly a teacher who students feel comfortable with.  As a teacher, Ms. Peterson has worked to create these spaces where students feel comfortable and able to express ideas and opinions freely.  This isn’t something that happened by accident, but instead took careful planning and action on her part from the very first day of school.  By placing a focus on working to create these “homeplaces” for our students we will allow our students to continue to discover who they are as individuals.