For the past year and a half, pandemic-impacted students throughout the U.S. have struggled to adapt to virtual learning environments and make meaningful connections with their peers and teachers. One way that PESA has worked to combat this trend is through its Challenger Middle School Student Presentations. These sessions break up the sometimes monotonous nature of online instruction by helping students learn about alternative yet important topics that may not be covered in middle school. Subjects range from climate change to dealing with COVID-19 grief and loss to anger management. These CMS presentations are among our most popular programs and have received strong positive feedback from its student attendees.
For example, Darlene, a regular attendee of these presentations, has experienced online school for nearly a year now. Though attendance at the presentations isn't mandatory, Darlene says she and other students "like to go to learn more" about complex and challenging topics. Students are encouraged to suggest the types of things they’d like to learn about. For example, a recent presentation made at the request of Darlene and her fellow students focused on random acts of kindness towards others. During the presentation, Darlene had the opportunity to share a relevant YouTube video that featured the elderly and the harms of ageism. "They're older than us," says Darlene of the video, “and sometimes they need help.”
Overall, Darlene describes her experience with the CMS presentations as being incredibly valuable. "Sometimes the presentations are (about) uncomfortable (issues),” she says, “but they teach you about things that you may not learn about otherwise.”
Given the large volume of presentations Darlene has attended, she has had the opportunity to form close bonds with PESA's staff, particularly Stephanie Kwan, a former MSW intern and current case manager with PESA. Kwan says Darlene stood out because she was always willing to participate and share during the presentations. In turn, Darlene sees Kwan more as a "friend" rather than a mentor. "For me with Stephanie, it is easy to approach and talk to her."
If the CMS sessions can not only educate and engage students but help them form meaningful bonds with others, that’s a win-win in our book.
If you’re an educator who would like to learn more about these topics that can be presented virtually and free of charge to your students, contact PESA now.
