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The Piedmont Highlander

The Piedmont Highlander

Memoirs of a YEd

photo-1 copyKeeping my head low to avoid the raindrops, I ran towards the mailbox and sorted through each envelope looking for my name. It was not until five days later that the letter I had anxiously waited for arrived. It was the first time I was not at the mailbox alone, this time I was with my sister, and this made opening the letter even more nerve racking, knowing that if I was disappointed, I would not have time to compose myself before telling others that I did not make it.

Fortunately, I opened the box and found the congratulatory letter that welcomed me into the Youth Educator program. I screamed at the top of my lungs.

When I was in eighth grade at Piedmont Middle School, my YEds inspired me and made me feel important and empowered. At first I was intimidated by the high schoolers but I soon learned that YEds were (and continue to always be) approachable and open to talk. Being so touched by the YEds I had, I felt the need to give back to the program in hopes to inspire eighth graders in the way my YEds inspired me to feel confident with who I am.

Entering into YEds, I assumed the program was going to be completely based on planning and practicing the lessons in the classrooms with counselors Kech Carera and Ashley English. However, I was surprised that the YEd program was so much more, including personal development, self reflection, in addition to teaching.

In our meetings, we discussed our own lives, and reflected on our decisions. With understanding the struggles and decisions in our lives, it helped in understanding the decisions and struggles of the students we taught. We developed social skills that we would incorporate into teaching our classes, as well as social skills, including active listening and giving validations, that will prove valuable for the rest of our lives. Working with both the larger group as well as breaking up into smaller groups each meeting, the Youth Educators became close-knit. Opening up emotionally with each of the YEds through three day-long retreats, I knew that the Youth Educator group was full of individuals that I would build relationships with that would last far past the end of the program. From doing some silly activities that we would later do in our classrooms to having daylong retreats where we shared emotions and feelings, the Youth Educators became inseparable.

From New Years Eve until the Friday before spring break, each YEd committed to abstinence of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol. Committed to the same goal all at the same time, the YEds all bonded from this and became a lot closer to each other through this shared pact.

Teaching the eighth graders was an amazing experience. I will admit that the first few lessons I was extremely nervous, standing in front of 24 students who all expect guidance from me and my partners. However, as time progressed, I began to feel more comfortable teaching and working with my class.

Our YEd partners were assigned to us, and, while I knew both of my YEd partners, Sophie MacCracken and Ned Stasio before, the YEd program definitely brought us three closer together. My partners and I supported each other in anyway we could in the classroom as well as during our planning sessions every week at lunch. While this was probably one of the most time consuming parts of YEds, I looked forward every moment that I spent with my partners. I quickly realized how hilarious and genuine Ned is, and how sweet and selfless Sophie is.

Taking part in the Youth Educator program was one of the most rewarding experiences I have been a part of. Teaching in classrooms and becoming a role model for a group of eighth graders was amazing. Equally important were the amazing relationships that I built with the other Youth Educators are bonds that will carry on for years to come. I know that the friends I made through the YEd program will always be there for me when I need comfort, a laugh, or someone to talk with over a meal. I cannot imagine high school without YEds.

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