This year the Darke County ESC has partnered with county elementary schools with the common goal of improving self-esteem in young girls. Studies indicate “factors which are important to school success, such as positive feelings about self, absenteeism, and school retention, are affected by successful school self-esteem programs” (WALZ and BLEUER, 1992).
The Uniquely Me! program, a Girl Scout/Dove collaborative, was implemented in three of the county elementary schools to address those issues. Ansonia Elementary, Arcanum Elementary, and Tri-village Elementary all participated in the 4th grade girl, 6 week, 1 hour, structured self-esteem program. Activities for this program included making collages, identifying values, and learning healthy habits. A final celebratory session was planned in collaboration with the local Girl Scout organization.
The unique twist to the program was the use of high school girls as mentors for the program. Guidance counselors choose two high school girl mentors for each class based on each individual’s own unique strengths. The mentors participated in a training and planning session and were granted the responsibility for implementing the weekly activities.
Overall the response to this program was positive. One 4th grade student wrote on her evaluation “I loved this whole thing because it tells about different people”. Another wrote, “This was awesome! Do it again!”
Response from the mentors was also positive and each indicated a desire to participate again. “I really enjoyed talking to the girls and I think it helped me with my own self-esteem as well.”
This year’s 2010 high school mentors were: Tri-Village: Megan Brown, Taylor Back, Elizabeth Collins, Caitlin Davis, Monica Towery, Nicole Oyler; Ansonia: Sarah Berger, Kaylee Swabb, Kristina Dinkins, Kristen Vanhoose; Arcanum-Butler: Paige Christ, Chari Eyler, Rachel Brehm, Ericka Miller, Jalynn Derksen, Sabrina Hardwick, Lacey Snyder, Stephanie Sink.
A special thank you goes out to the administration, guidance counselors, fourth grade teachers, and parents for their support in our endeavors this year.
Contact Info: Mandy Muhlenkamp, Darke County Educational Service Center, 5279 Education Drive, Greenville, OH 45331, 937/548-4915
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