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A Peer Educators class is currently being trained to go to local junior highs in the coming spring to conduct talks on resisting substance abuse.
Peer Educators is a program about enabling teens to become part of the solution to substance abuse among their peers. The program is targeted for youths between the ages of 12 and 15. It aims at teaching good decision-making regarding the resistance of substance abuse as well as reinforcing individuality. "These kids want to make a difference," says Heather Kellner, a teacher who was previously involved in the program.
The educators are assigned extensive research, from which they will develop the curriculum to be presented to the junior high students. They will present this prepared curriculum during eight different sessions, taking place during the junior high students' history classes. Meanwhile, the trainee P.E.s are graded daily on their ability to communicate effectively- for example, classroom discussions and responses- and are taught many presentation styles and techniques.
The Peer Educators should be ready to prove what they have learned by the end of November, when they plan to talk to freshman MV students. Next April, the Peer Educators will launch their program at nearby Los Cerros Junior High. "It's a great opportunity to help and to teach your peers," comments junior, Dave Rankin.
Peer Educators is a program that runs state-wide, and used to be a volunteer course at MV last year, instructed only on Monday nights after school. A new tobacco grant, distributed by the government, has changed all that. Now, due to the funding, the MV students will be ready to lecture much earlier in the year than previously. "I'm getting as much out of it as the kids are," said Rachael Johnson, who presently teaches the class.
The P.E.s must sign a form that they will be drug and alcohol free during the time in which they lecture.
