Week 2: Personal Asset Mapping & Goal Setting

Today was a day for all of us to look inside ourselves and see what skills and assets we each brought to the group. We completed a Personal Asset Inventory and examined our strengths and weaknesses. We then developed person goals to help us to develop those weaknesses into strengths. We followed a specific goal setting formula and discussed the importance of making goals measurable.

We also attempted to complete a team building challenge called The Human Knot. Students had to join in a circle and hold hands with different people across them, creating a knot. They then had to work as a team untangle. Unfortunately, we hit many road blocks (which we will discuss next week) and will have to complete this challenge at a later date.

Students also completed a colorful personalities worksheet to see where their personality tendencies come out of each person (the organizer, the spontaneous action taker, the pensive planner, the data collector, etc.) Knowing more about who we are as individuals will help us to form a strong bond as a team.

It was a tough day of a lot information, but I am excited to see how we grow as a group throughout the year!

Peace,

Laura

Week 1: Introduction

The kick off to Everyday Leaders was a great one! We have grown in size, and I am very excited to see all of the wonderful leaders who have turned out the for the club this year. We spent the day getting to know each other with name games and get-to-know you games. We also talked more about the expectations of the club as well as discussed key vocabulary like service-learning, civic engagement, leadership, and youth empowerment.

We also started to learn more about Global Youth Service Day (check it out this video to learn more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTIVKluZV0o).

Students will need to provide a special notebook/journal that they can dedicate to the club for freewrites and reflection. They are used as a way of communicating with the facilitator as well. As a group, students established the rules for the club. Please remember to bring them next week - look forward to seeing you all again!

Peace,

Laura

Everyday Leaders FAQs

What is Everyday Leaders?
An after-school club at Atlanta Charter Middle School for youth who want to make a difference in their school, their community, and the world.

When does Everyday Leaders meet?
Mondays starting October 19th from 4 - 6 pm in the library.

What is Service-Learning?
Senator John Glenn said, “Service-learning is education in action.” Service-learning allows students to take classroom concepts and apply them to real life community needs. It creates socially responsible students who, through preparation, action, and reflection, demonstrate leadership in their own communities.

What will we do?
Throughout the year, students will learn about civic engagement and community service by taking action. Students will participant in service projects throughout the year and learn the skills necessary to lead their own projects. As a team, students will create, plan, and do their own community service project for Global Youth Service Day in April. They will not only be a part of this youth movement, they will be in charge of it. Students will be able to go above and beyond their required community service hours as well as take on leadership roles.

Who is facilitating the club?
Laura Byard - 8th grade Spanish teacher and 6th grade Associate Humanities teacher here are ACMS.

Why the blog?
This is a way for parents, students, and others in the ACMS community can check in and see what we are up to! Everyone is welcome to make comments. Happy reading!