How the Social Experience of GPS: Geo Power Squad Helped Camila
Program: After School
Camila doesn’t necessarily think of herself as a person who talks much. She would call herself a little shy.
But when she entered Immanuel United Church of Christ, she “instantly connected” with her peers, she said.
She was part of the first cohort of GPS: Geo Power Squad, a new program offered for 6th through 8th graders in the Ferguson-Florissant School District by Unleashing Potential.
Being a part of a smaller group helped Camila feel comfortable contributing to the conversation and speaking up if she didn’t understand an aspect to one of the lessons.
Camila likes that GPS: Geo Power Squad is giving her insight into things happening in the world. It’s almost like she gets to peer behind the scenes and see the nuts and bolts of technology that we sometimes take for granted. Not only does she gain insight to things happening, she’s gaining insight into herself, as the program has a conscious discipline segment that helps her to express herself.
One of the first conscious discipline lessons focused on encouragement and empathy. They tossed a football as if it was a hot potato, and whoever landed with it had to share an example of a time when they either encouraged somebody or were encouraged by somebody else, or a time when they either empathized with somebody or were treated with empathy.
Camila was particularly inspired that one of the leaders, Ms. Ni, participated alongside her; it wasn’t just the students who needed to be reminded of this.
“This program has helped me to be more confident,” she said. “The social experience is what matters here to me.”
(*Actual student/name has been changed to protect child’s identity)
