Insights on the Impact of PeerForward Program Advisors
The testimonials from various advisors highlight the invaluable impact of the PeerForward program on students, emphasizing empowerment, mentorship, and successful transitions to college and careers. The program is commended for fostering a college culture, inspiring students, and cultivating leadership skills through peer mentoring and dedicated support systems.
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Perceptions of the Program x x x Advisors 1
x x x Carolyn Yeager, 4 Carolyn Yeager, 4th th Year Advisor, Tall Oaks HS Year Advisor, Tall Oaks HS I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your relentless and continued support, encouragement and partnership since the 2015/2016 school year as we have implemented the priceless peer to peer student centered Peer Forward curriculum to drive and achieve the vision of Tall Oaks High School. For the past five years it has been my pleasure, honor and a privilege to facilitate inspire and empower our students to walk in their destiny in today s dynamic economy despite this season - as we partner to assist our scholars cultivate their leadership skills and abilities utilizing their positive influence to effect proactive change. For over five years, our vision is that every graduating Senior is enrolled, enlisted, employed and/or entrepreneurial through greater exposure, experience and personal commitment. As you may know without our Administrator, the great Dr. Larry McRae s support, our amazing Peer Leaders permission, staff buy in, parents/guardians collaboration, numerous community partnerships and the entire resource mechanism of our Peer Forward s team/curriculum (e.g., workshops, support systems and campaigns) the incremental growth from year to year (e.g., Community College Application Drives, FAFSA Drives, Workforce Development, Youth@Work Sessions, Career Awareness Sessions, Entrepreneurship Visits, Enlistment Days) and student success/outcomes as measured by students achieving SMART goals upon graduation and other data. Needless to say PeerForward is truly the bridge that our students travel over to transition successfully to their various career pathways after graduation as they become greater college and career ready. Thank you for doing the work and being a part of the Tall Oaks High School Community/Family tribe. Together, we have, are and can do it by grace! This too shall pass. Remain well and safe. 2
The Peer Forward organization was introduced to the students and staff of FHHS in 2016 and its impact on our students has been invaluable. PeerForward is known for training the students to create a college culture at the school but our students and staff have gained so much more from the activities that are the heart of the training. We all walk away from the summer workshops & trainings feeling inspired and empowered, ready to take on the challenge of mentoring their peers and as advisors ready to coach our students. This program has helped students who although they wanted to go to college, did not envision that they would actually make it. Some of my students have enjoyed the program and its values & development that they are now working with Peer Forward. I have watched first-hand how the coaches and all of the staff have a genuine interest in my students and their success and this is what truly makes this a program that I am so thankful for and is definitely having a positive impact for our students. x x x Tiffani Tiffani Whitaker, 4 Whitaker, 4th th Year Advisor, Year Advisor, Fairmont Fairmont Heights HS Heights HS 3
Natalie Gaudette, 3rd Year Advisor, CMIT North Natalie Gaudette, 3rd Year Advisor, CMIT North x x x The PeerForward program and accompanying class (utilizing PeerForward curricula) has provided an incredible opportunity not only for our outstanding Peer Leaders, but also for our school community. Our Peer Leaders often tell me that they applied to be a Peer Leader because of the impact our older Peer Leaders had on them and that they are eager to pay it forward. Our Peer Leaders have become a group our Administration leans on equally to Student Government and National Honor Society students, so they have become part of the fabric of our school community. At CMIT, our Peer Leaders work as Teaching Assistants in the classes for the juniors and seniors, and the fact that all of our upperclassmen have the class has allowed our school to move towards our goals along with our students moving towards their own. Our average SAT score increased this past year while the county saw a decrease, and we credit that to the test prep we incorporated into the class along with the lessons from the PeerForward curriculum. We are really fortunate to have the PeerForward program and can't wait to see where this program continues to take our school and our students!
I have been a Peer Forward advisor for the last six (6) years. When I was asked by my administration to take on this role I was apprehensive not knowing if I would be able to serve at my best in this capacity. I accepted the responsibility and was provided with the training and support necessary for me to accomplish the task. This support has been accessible and consistent over the years. After having served in the role of advisor for several years I decided that I would step aside and allow someone else to take on this responsibility. However, I could never muster up the desire to step away because of the changes I have seen this organization make in my students. I have watched them over the years go from timid and unsure of themselves at the beginning of the summer workshop to assertive more confident young adult leaders by the time the workshop is over. They have come back to school at the beginning of the school year with that confidence and energy to share what they have learned with their peers and to do the work to guide them towards success after high school. That success may look like college, career or military service. They have made mistakes along the way and have not always gotten it right but the skills and empowerment they gained from being a part of the Peer Forward movement has carried them beyond their high school careers and given them tools necessary to succeed at their life journeys. I look forward to seeing the continued growth and success in my peer forward leaders over the years to come. -Ms. Simmons , 5TH Year Advisor, Largo High School
Mercy Molin, 2 Mercy Molin, 2nd Advisor, Int. HS at Largo Advisor, Int. HS at Largo nd Year Year The first time I was offered to be a PeerForward adviser, I hesitated because of the reason that I did not graduate with my bachelors and higher education in the country and did know the procedures of higher education. But then I took it as a challenge getting out of my comfort zone. I was motivated with the enthusiasm, the synergy, collaboration and the joy and hopes in every student s face in the workshop. My eyes opened to the realities and struggle of the majority of the youth in getting a career or college. When I went back to my school to start implementing the program , I found out that most students do not know what to do after high school. They wanted to enter college or a career school but had no idea on how to do it and how to pay for it. This is where PeerForward helped and encouraged students to pursue a career or college. Empowering students to influence their peers is crucial especially at this time that school went virtual. Peer Forward team leaders can show their peers that reaching their dreams is possible via. a virtual world. 6
