Human Rights Education
Paula Lettiere, 4th year English Language Arts (ELA) teacher, reflects
on year one at the School for Human Rights:
The School for Human Rights has allowed me to fulfill my potential as an educator
by removing the limitations and restrictions of the typical Public School. Here,
teachers are not only allowed to, but encouraged to explore new ideas, progressive
project-based learning, adventurous field trips, and creating close and lasting
bonds with the students.
For example, as a way to motivate students towards greater academic achievement,
dedicating time towards community service, and character development, we organized
a yearlong competition whose prize was a scholarship to attend a 3-day camping
trip at Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC). Students embraced this
opportunity for self-improvement. Rather than becoming negatively competitive,
they organized opportunities to provide service for the school and community.
They held fund-raisers during their lunch times, participated in the AIDS walk
and mentored younger students. Students volunteered time to clean up the cafeteria,
give tours of the school, prepare informational materials about the school for
prospective students and families, and help the staff and each other with daily
tasks. Students began to study more, improving the overall average of their
individual courses, as well as moving up one to two levels in their reading
and writing skills.
However, the PEEC trip wasn't the student's only motivator. Our staff took the
time to carefully assess what types of learning would be most effective for
the student population. We administered--and completed ourselves--the Kaleidoscope
Learning Profile to determine which styles most suited our students. The majority
of our population is Kinesthetic in their learning, which means they need to
move and do hands-on tasks. The staff organized and planned, over 25 field trips--including
the PEEC camping trip--linked to the curriculum to help address this student
need. School wide assemblies, celebrations and projects were linked to class
studies. Film and theater viewings and art museum visits were organized to support
and enrich written studies. Fun was and is a key component to the learning at
SHR, and our 90+% rate of attendance is proof that our students love being here.
As an educator, I finally feel appreciated not only by my students but by the
school community as a whole. I am happy to come to work, and look forward to
spending many years working with this team.