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Challenge Day Returns To Midland Schools
Challenge Day Returns To Midland Schools 1/14/13
Ashley Melnick
amelnick@cbs7.com
CBS 7 News
January 14, 2013
MIDLAND- It’s the second year for Challenge Day to come to Midland schools, and the first time teachers and faculty joined in on the challenge to build connections and ignite positive change.
The day at Midland High School began with fun and games, but shortly after it was time to get serious.
Everyone was put into groups of 5 or 6 and assigned to a “family” for the rest of the day.
Each group went around saying “if you really knew me, you’d know that _______.”
This gave the “families” their first chance to really open up to one another.
Today teachers weren’t leading a class, and instead they were a part of something greater.
“You’re sharing things you wouldn’t normally open up about and tell people about,” said English teacher Sarah Esquivel. “It’s always a good reminder for teachers to see students, not just as test scores or a student behind a desk.”
And associate principal Renee Aldrin said it was good reminder for students to see faculty differently.
“It allows student to see me as a real person, so we can connect and I can better help them,” said Aldrin.
“I was skeptical at first because it was featured on MTV and it’s pop culture,” said Counselor Staci Duncan. “But going forward I know it’s a good idea and gave me great perspective.”
Duncan has seen improvements since last year’s Challenge Day, and hopes students are learning from her as much as she is learning from them.
“I’ve seen people make a effort to be more approachable, and that’s so much of what today’s about,” said Duncan. “I hope we continue this because it works.”