New Strides in Leadership
"New Strides in Leadership" is an innovative curriculum breaking down barriers between mainstream and special needs students by building more caring communities
About You
About You
About Your Organization
Organization Name
New Strides In Leadership
Organization Website
Organization Country
United States, NY, Staten Island, Richmond County
Country where this project is creating social impact
United States, Staten Island
Is your organization a
Other
Your role in Education
Counselor, Teacher, Other.
The type of school(s) your solution is affiliated with
Public (tuition-free)
How long has your organization been operating?
1‐5 years
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Innovation
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Growth (your pilot is up and running, and starting to expand)
How long has your solution been in operation?
Operating for 1‐5 years
The Need: What problem are you trying to solve?
How can you get a child who is locked in a world of pain and loneliness to trust another? How do you get children to believe in themselves that they can be a part of the solution towards building a community based on love and respect? How do you get a child who has doubts because their disability prevents them from running free from their insecurities? With the increase in incidents of bias, bullying and intimidation in our schools it is imperative to create programs that put the change in creating more caring communities into the hands and minds of our students. In essence to allow them to "own" their destinies and bind them to one another. Together they work to become the solution rather than the problem. They learn from each other and build a classroom community together.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
"New Strides in Leadership" is a program that goes beyond the normal parameters of class inclusiveness by fostering an atmosphere of acceptance and commonalities amongst mainstream and special needs students. This program is developed specifically to instill confidence and the courage for students to find their voice and to play an active role as leaders. Through the use of socialization and leadership skills, students will learn team-building skills, role-playing and hands on activities to address and resolve conflict situations that may arise in their lives or communities. It is expected that all students completing the program will leave more compassionate and appreciative of the differences of others rather than fearing them and will use their leadership skills to educate others to take a stand against the bias and bullying in schools and in their communities.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include your primary activities
We begin the year by bringing the two divergent groups, one special needs and the other basic mainstream who have never met before to discuss as a class the significance of "What is in a name." These two classes come together with already built in institutionalized bias and fears regarding each other. The key is to create that bridge to bring them together. This is achieved by conducting an exercise where students address the significance of their names (identity) and they can validate each other simply by their humanity. This can be achieved by a simple hello spoken together thirty voices coming together as one. Names are spoken in a joyful and kind manner creating smiles and instantaneous connections between students. Students partner up with specific questions designed to discover one another's similarities as well as differences. They introduce their partners to the peer group at large and a community of trust begins to develop as we each discover our commonalities and purpose that together we can make a difference. This is folled by establishing the dynamics of the group and developing a mission statement as to who we are and the purpose of this class. The focus is to "Stand Up for Those Who Stand Alone" and as a leadership class to recognize students who may be feeling "disconnected" from the larger community and recognize their humanity and make them feel valued. Students are taught leadership skills and non confrontational language as well as recognizing choices in dealing with situations that may cause a conflict.
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others also working to address the needs you are and what differentiates you from them. What challenges could these players pose to your success or growth?
What is unique about our program is there are so few if any other organizations that combine curriculum to bridge Mainstream and Special Needs students in an inclusive Conflict Resolution/Leadership component. The students involved in this program are committed to its success because they play such a large role in shaping it. They are assigned to teams and are assigned projects they must complete and share with the class. They in turn become peer educators who own their material and have a stake in its success.
As effective educators in their classroom and communities students also see value in bringing positive change. They learn from one another and applaud their success as well as their peers.This is where "ownership" of the curriculmn and earnd pride in who they are take shape.
Now that you have thought out your entry, help us pitch it.
Define your company, program, service, or product in 1-2 short sentences [136 characters]
"New Strides in Leadership" provides innovative curriculum,leadership and Anti Bully training for Mainstream and Sp.Education students
Identify what is innovative about your solution in 1-2 short sentences [136 characters]
We provide leadership and anti violence skills that will follow students throughout their life and those who come in contact with them.
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
Obstacles in some educational systems separate students based academic, physical and emotional challenges. One student who entered this class as a selective mute to the point that she had to be spoon-fed is one of our barometer’s used to measure success. This student began the year in a catatonic state resulting from a previous operation to remove a tumor behind her eye. She was assigned students from the mainstream class who surrounded her with encouragement and praise. They worked diligently with her never giving up hope that she can contribute even in small doses.
It began by getting her to stand with the group, as students would hold each arm and keep her safe. This progressed to a smile and a sense that a breakthrough was imminent. It occurred during a leadership exercise called Peace- War- Peace where I ripped a poem and illustration representing peace. This student vocalized her displeasure bringing the class to a joyful and surprising conclusion.
What is your projected impact over the next 1-3 years?
By creating a peer-to-peer partnership between mainstream and special needs students we are breaking down barriers within the larger student population. Students will work in teams bringing the message of inclusiveness into the classrooms discussing topics such as bullying solutions, building safer communities based on respect and understanding. It is our intent to create a school community where one life impacts many. As peer educators our diverse students will have the opportunity to move a school culture toward a greater appreciation of one another's differences and commonalities. Our young peer educators will be recognized for their leadership skills as they come to a realization that their words and actions can make a positive difference within their respective communities.
Winning entries present a strong plan for how they will achieve and track growth. Identify your six-month milestone for growing your impact
Effective Peer Education based on team work and depth of skill level understanding through classroom visitations and dialogue.
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your six-month milestone
Task 1
Creating a caring classroom community through trust building and group dynamics.
Task 2
Developing skill level understaning in effective leadership and conflict resolution strategies.
Task 3
Developing effective presenation skills to initiate dialouge and creating positive change within their communities.
Now think bigger! Identify your 12-month impact milestone
Providing for the students a larger plateform to introduce their skills within a national and global network.
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your 12-month milestone
Task 1
Developing and promoting videos on You Tube that introduce the strength of their message in promoting peace.
Task 2
Measure and analyze the impact of their message through surveys and questionaries that gauge the level of effectivness.
Task 3
Provide a global plateform by promoting the message by speaking to state legislatures and presenting at the United Nations.
Founding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world [125 words]
The student's met for the first time on September 21st 2012. They were a mystery to each other. Each student {special needs or mainstream} carried a preconceived idea of the other. Each one had a story to share; each student also carried within them a desire to achieve something larger than them but needed a safe and trusting environment to create this opportunity. This is where they found each other. Elizabeth was a self contained mute locked in a catatonic state resulting from an past operation. Gloria was a typical teenager who rarely came into contact with special needs students with severe disabilities. Through this class they found each other. Gloria would mentor Elizabeth with a team of students both special needs and mainstream to the point where she was able to "breakthrough" the silence and speak at the United Nations. Elizabeth's mother rejoiced with tears in her eyes that her daughter was coming back to her. Elizabeth is now a vital and vibrant voice within our program.
Sustainability
Tell us about your partnerships
This program bridges the gap between mainstream and special needs students is vital in promoting inclusive partnerships between these student populations.
Parents and local school boards have been seeking viable solutions regarding these specific issues. This program provides these viable solutions. Partnership are built through local PTO's and not for profit organizations. They include 'The Temple of Understanding' a Consultative Non Governmental Organization with the United Nations has always seen the value in programs that promote peace and leadership within our respective communities.
What type of team (staff, volunteers, etc.) will ensure that you achieve the growth milestones identified in the Social Impact section? [75 words]
For all those involved in this program, it is a lifelong commitment. This program is supported by parents who monitor their children's growth and development. Student mentor's follow their counterparts from the classroom into their homes to ensure growth and understanding of curriculum material. We track and support progress of students who initiate outreach programs. My colleague and I also support our students with resources and materials to ensure success.
Please elaborate on any needs or offers you have mentioned above and/or suggest categories of support that aren't specified within the list
As skilled Conflict Resolution Specialists with an international experience we are available to work with other organizations to assist in promoting and sustaining the message of peace and effective leadership. I can work with students, parents, not for profit organizations and international delegations that seek viable solutions in creating safer communities that seek to sustain peace.
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| new_strides_in_leadership_newsletter_nov._page_2.jpg | 384.57 KB |
 | 59 weeks ago George Anthony updated this Competition Entry. |
| 60 weeks ago George Anthony updated this Competition Entry. |
| 60 weeks ago George Anthony updated this Competition Entry. |
| 60 weeks ago George Anthony updated this Competition Entry. |
| 60 weeks ago George Anthony updated this Competition Entry. |
| 60 weeks ago George Anthony updated this Competition Entry. |
| 61 weeks ago George Anthony updated this Competition Entry. |
| 61 weeks ago George Anthony updated this Competition Entry. |
| 61 weeks ago George Anthony submitted this idea. |
