"People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built." Eleanor Roosevelt
I began my journey in Personal Stories not really knowing what to expect. I heard from a few people the trouble they had with sharing those personal stories. I didn't know if I would have the same difficulties. I knew I could tell the funny, light hearted stories, but would I be able to tell more emotional stories that were deep and demonstrated a true struggle in life?
While I was absorbing other people's stories and pondering my own I was given a valuable gift. I was able to help out with another class covering personal stories. I had the unique opportunity to observe and interact with a Jr. ACE class.
For those readers that are wondering, ACE is Achieving a College Education. It is a program at South Mountain Community College for High School students. I have been volunteering with ACE for the past 5 years. I had the opportunity to help the professor instructing the class a few years ago when she taught the Jr. Covey class. I learned a great deal from her then and figured I could learn much more now. I asked the director of ACE if I would be able to help out with this class. I thought it would be similar to the design of the Covey class. I was in for a wonderful surprise.
I have gained a vast amount of valuable information in this class, not only from the professor. I learn a great deal from those High School students in the class. They are a special group of young women, and men. I choose to use the terms women and men, because even though they are still kids, their ability to show their comprehension of the class and its subject matter is beyond the capabilities of some adults. I left each week I spent with them inspired and in awe of them.
They truly are a gift and I am grateful to them and their professor for allowing me to come into their class and accepting me as part of the class. I was able to witness the unique bond they have as a group already. They have two years working together in this program. I saw the comfort they felt with each other. There is an aura of protection in the class that is necessary when telling personal stories. That safe environment is ever present when all is shared with the class. It is remarkable that these young adults demonstrate this since in today's society they aren't given that credit too often.
I have been able to compare my experiences in my own Personal Stories class with this Personal Stories class. I have grown and evolved through both, but that is not all I have experienced in this class with 15 & 16 year olds. I experienced healing stories, mythology, and spirituality. To realize these young adults are taking this all in and processing it with deep responses and understanding is what amazes me each week. They are future leaders and they are headed in the direction to become great leaders.
I never expected to gain so much from the students in this class, but I have and that is something I will always treasure. I look forward with anticipation and excitement to see the growth and progress of these individuals over the next few years.
The image at the top of the post can be found here.
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