Month: October 2019

The Sweetwater Union High School District is taking the lead on “Social Emotional Learning” (SEL) and bringing it to new levels for students and staff in the South Bay. By definition, SEL is the process of developing the self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work, and life success.

Three years ago, “The Culture and Climate Committee” in the SUHSD gave birth to the SEL work being done in the district. It began with bringing “restorative practices” into play when handling student behavior situations and essentially creating stronger bonds with students.

“I strongly believe that no other work can be successful at school unless students and staff feel cared for,” said Louise Williamson, AVID and Peer Counseling teacher and Restorative Practices Resource Leader at Hilltop High School. “One of my biggest goals is to work with students to understand the effects of their behavior by creating positive change, facilitate communication between staff and students, and support/train teachers in relationship-building techniques on my campus and throughout the district.”

According to Williamson, the Sweetwater District and SEL team is committed to prioritizing SEL in all schools because when staff focus on the whole child, teach social and emotional skills, and intentionally provide a safe, positive climate where students feel more confident and accepted, teachers have more time to support learning and academic achievement increases.

“As teachers, when we don’t incorporate restorative practices in our day, we throw away hours of instruction and our students don’t feel safe. The same goes with adults,” said Williamson.

Hilltop High School Principal Karen Hernandez is a prime example of incorporating restorative practices during her interaction with school employees. Hernandez begins each staff associated meeting with an SEL guided activity. As a school principal, she deeply believes in the importance of SEL and its benefits to the culture and climate of each person at her site.

Williamson also oversees the “Connect Crew Club” on campus that is comprised of a group of students that assist in helping freshman transition and feel comfortable with high school life. Student lead focus groups are also a huge success on Hilltop High’s campus says Williamson as they build mindfulness in the classroom and help students recognize their angry before they burst out.

Melissa Rains a science teacher at Castle Park Middle is in her third year of having her “Homeroom” class devoted to SEL Development. Rains has implemented SEL activities during professional development days focusing on the diversity in the school site staff and school diversity as a whole.

“My philosophy is unless we support the whole child we can’t expect to meet academic expectations that we set for our students,” said Rains. “Although we may not have the ability to change their problems, we can provide them with inner resources that they can take with them as they grow into adulthood.”

“I teach SEL because I want to prepare young people for life and this is a natural by product,” said Rains. “Approaching teaching with a compassionate lens builds new climate and culture in our classrooms and in our schools and that’s what this movement is all about.”

What made you decide to run for the Sweetwater District Student Board Representative position?

I decided to run for the student board representative position because I wanted to be an advocate for underrepresented students, specifically our LGBTQ students. I wanted to show that we, as LGBTQ students, still have a voice in what happens in the world around us. As well, I wanted to advocate for Sweetwater’s Student Body as a whole. Student perspective and insight is extremely important not only within our district but, with global issues world-wide. Thus, I wanted to show other students that they too, can be an advocate and fight for what’s just and change the future (as we say in CASC).

How has this experience been thus far?

So far, this has been an amazing learning experience. Even though I’m familiar with LCAP funding and how school districts budget themselves, this new experience broadened my knowledge and helped me better my public speaking skills. As well, I learned how to develop a tougher skin and you do have to make tough decisions when it comes down to it. I honestly want to thank Dr. Janney, Board Vice-President Mr. Frank Tarantino and Dr. Mariana Gomez for helping me transition into this position and serve as mentors to me throughout the process.

Why did you decide to become a member of the California Association of Student Councils (CASC)?

I decided to join CASC during my freshman year because I saw it as an opportunity to break out of my shell and develop more as a leader and person. Learning about the social justice and advocacy portion of the organization interested me the most and helped me grow into the advocate I am today.

I’ve been involved with CASC, three years now. I previously served as an Outreach (Publicity/Communications) for the Region 12 (San Diego and Imperial Counties) Cabinet. I served in that role for 2 years before becoming the Region President this year. This is my first year serving on the CASC State Council, a group of 25 high school students that run CASC operations on a state-wide level and are in charge of the various statewide conferences we hold in Sacramento (Student Advisory Board in Education/Student Advisory Board on Legislation in Education) and Los Angeles (Youth Action Summit of California).

What other extracurricular activities are you involved in?

Outside of CASC, I’m involved with my school’s Foreign Language and Global Studies (FLAGS) program student council which is a group of students who oversee the program’s activities. As well, I’m involved with my school’s Ballet Folklórico program and Gender-Sexuality Alliance Club (GSA). I’m also a member of AP Scholars, a group of students who fundraise for AP exam costs and, CSF. I’ve been in these activities since my freshman year as well. This year, I started being in my school’s Peer Mediation (Connect Crew) class in which we mentor around seven freshman students throughout their first year of high school. I’m also a Teen Court juror and a member of the Restorative Youth Justice Advocacy group within our district.

Are you taking any AP courses?

Currently, I’m enrolled in two AP classes. I take AP Spanish Language and Culture and AP Calculus AB. However, I’m taking a total of five AP exams this year including those I am enrolled in the course for. The additional AP exams I’m taking are AP English Language and Composition, AP Physics 1 and, AP United States History.

Have you made a decision on where you would like to attend college? If so, what will you study?

As for college, I haven’t decided where I would like to go, however my top choice of a university would be Stanford. From there, I’d like to double major in Political Science and Education.

You have quit the schedule, how do you juggle it all?

As for juggling everything that I do, I live by three simple words: Know your limits. I’ve set limits on myself and learned to set attainable goals as well. I also make sure to take care of my family and myself so, that I can perform my best every day.

What advice would you give to underclassmen who aspire to follow in your footsteps?

My advice to underclassmen would be to always stay true to yourself and aspire to be great in your way. Everyone has a calling in life, we just have to find it. As well, be sure to study hard and have fun during high school. The people you meet and the memories you make will last you a lifetime. Be sure to take care of yourself too. Don’t let anyone get under your skin because you’re unique. Let your uniqueness shine and, it will carry you far!

Ethan is a junior at Hilltop High School in the Sweetwater Union High School District.