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NHS Peer Coach Program - Something To Be Proud Of

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NHS Peer Coach Program - Something To Be Proud Of
NHS Peer Coach Program - Something To Be Proud Of

NPS would like to recognize the NHS Peer Coach program and share the recent activities they have participated in. This unique program involves a diverse group of students who work to build connections with each other. This one-of-a-kind class is led by Mrs. Tiffanie Decker - NHS Special Education Teacher/Peer Coach Advisor and co-taught by Mr. Pete Weaver - NHS Special Education Teacher. 

The purpose behind the Peer Coach program is multi-faceted. It provides general education students an opportunity to gain understanding of autism and other disabilities, while simultaneously encouraging independence and socialization to the special education students in Mr. Weaver's class. The students acknowledge that they have differences with each other as individuals. The highlight comes with the realization that they also have many fundamental similarities between them as teenagers, Yoopers, Negaunee Miners, etc., that connects them to one another as people. That connection fosters positive interactions, teamwork, and friendships. This semester, 49 NHS students selected "Peer to Peer Coaching" as an elective course and have stepped up in a big way to help spread kindness and inclusion in our schools and community. Here are some recent Peer Coach activities:

  • NHS Peer Coach students have been helping to initiate a new program at NMS by teaching middle school Teen Leadership students about inclusivity and sharing their understanding of disabilities that in Mrs. Courtney Neveau's classroom at NMS.
  • Throughout the past semester, the high school Peer Coach groups participated in the Leadership Launch at NMU, Kindness Day, World Bullying Prevention Day, and their annual all-inclusive Peer to Peer Christmas Party.
  • Final Projects for Peer Coach students included painting murals with positive messages throughout the basement at NHS, getting Donor Choose projects funded, and making creative bulletin boards that share messages of kindness.

This unique course provides a space for "peer to peer" bonds to grow into lasting friendships and offers lessons in humanity that continue well beyond the high school years. NPS is fortunate that the NHS Peer Coach program is part of the Negaunee Miner student experience. Thank you to everyone involved with the NHS Peer Coach program -- your messages of kindness and positive interactions are admirable examples of what it truly means to be a Miner! 

All NHS Peer Coach students went to Mrs. Neveu's class to work and socialize with the students in her class. They also attended the Teen Leadership class and taught lessons on concepts of inclusion, understanding disabilities, and how to be a good friend. These are all lessons from the Peer Coach program. Way to share your knowledge and lead by example! 

every petal

NHS hallway mural - artists Cohen Gravedoni, Jasmine Blankenship

donorschoose

Lucy Rogers & Bree Helppi created a Donors Choose project to update books in Mr. Weaver's classroom; they saw a need for books that were more relatable and better suited for the academic level of the students in his class. Their project was FULLY FUNDED and they got $300 worth of new books for Mr. Weaver's classroom! Their project will make a difference for years to come! 

blossom with kindness

NHS hallway mural artists: Aurora Ghiardi, Greta Paltzer, Cody Congdon, Dylan Congdon

kindness begins

NHS Classroom mural artists: Liv Johnson, Harper Kumpula

kindness puzzle

All students in the class created a puzzle piece that explains how to show kindness. This was displayed in time for Kindness Day on November 13. 

differentseeds

NHS hallway artists: Maia Brunette, Sequaya Spade, Kyla Barrett

inclusivity

NHS hallway artists: Rory Smith, Max Baker, Eliza Sicotte, Devin Martin

lightup

All students wrote on the colored "Christmas Lights" about a moment when someone was kind to them. All the lights were then strung together and displayed next to the cafeteria. So many acts of kindness displayed together really lit up the school! 

A simple poem that describes the Peer to Peer Coaching classroom perfectly, full of wisdom. Poem written by Gretel Johnson, NHS Peer Coach.