The Equal Opportunity Department in collaboration with the Phoenix Human Relations Commission sponsor the Faces of Diversity Brown Bag events to promote cultural diversity awareness education to the community.
On March 28, “The Heroic Journey: An Adolescent Quest for Identity” was the topic of the hour. Montessori teachers Jennifer Matthews and Shayne Sotelo and Faith North Montessori students presented the holistic benefits of The Heroic Journey Program in the middle school classroom. The presentation provided a look inside the teenage brain and why this “journey” towards identity becomes so essential for their later years. Students entering adolescence begin to ask themselves, “Who was I as a child and who am I now?” At this age, children are trying to forge an identity and find their place in society.
The Heroic Journey Program encourages adolescents to use their natural gifts and talents while figuring out who they want to be. The more students can consciously think about and visualize who they want to be, the more likely it is to happen.
Having studied abroad in England and Spain as well as several other countries, middle school Montessori teacher Jennifer Matthews brings a rich knowledge of cultural Rites of Passage from many parts of the world including Australia, Italy, France, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia and Panama.
As a middle school teacher/administrator and transformational life coach, Shayne Sotelo has taught children in grades second though 12 and has done extensive work regarding the adolescent brain and adolescent behavior. Sotelo was awarded the 2012 Teacher of the Year in the Phoenix Elementary School District.
With their more than 30 years of combined teaching/coaching experience and Montessori K-8 training working with adolescents, Matthews and Sotelo provide more schools and teachers with this year-long life skills program.
I love this post. I believe that often times we forget to instruct and help cultivate the teachers of our young children and only focus on teaching the students. Some of the most influential people in our entire lives will be those who support our dreams at an early age and this program seems to be doing wonders. :)
ReplyDeleteGenie,
ReplyDeleteI have heard great things of Montessori teaching methods and styles. I have a friend who attended a Montessori school in Mexico and the educational style sounds really comprehensive and student-oriented which I believe is sometimes missing in today's public school system. Shayne Sotelo's background as a transformative life coach is really fantastic because many students need someone who is enthusiastic, motivational, and interesting. It is through these teachers that I am eager to learn and perform well.