Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1060790
connected to their new campus. Leaders work to build trust with them, and share stories of how they overcame personal challenges during their first year of high school. The program has been at the school for five years, and was imple- mented by members of the Anaheim Secondary Teachers Association (ASTA). A two-year grant from CTA's Institute for Teaching, now in its sec- ond year, has allowed the program to flourish. World history teacher Monique Flores and Link Crew lead- ership class teacher Ann Jensen, both of whom wrote the grant and oversee the program, are among six founding members. Fellow ASTA members who currently work with WHSLC include two founding mem- bers, PE teacher Jaime Flores and English teacher Juanis Garcia, along with science teacher Lauren Herrick and special education teacher Kim- berly Maniscalco. All freshmen at the school are assigned Link Leaders. Most leaders attend Jensen's class, and partici- pate in a five-day summer training. They work in pairs that mentor and monitor six freshmen, ensuring they are adjusting to high school. Link Leaders are not tutors or counselors; they are a support system that offers encouragement and connects fresh- men to resources. If Link Leaders feel a student is in crisis, they share their concerns with adults. "We train them to turn a negative situation into a positive, growth mindset and to have positive conver- sations with freshmen," says Flores. "It's working out really well." Link Leaders suggest freshmen get involved in sports and extracurricular activities, because if they find some- thing they enjoy, it motivates them to keep their GPA up so they can par- ticipate. Many leaders are involved in extracurricular activities themselves. However, Link Leaders are not just the popular kids, athletes and school leaders. Many have had their share of struggles and challenges, and that's fine with Flores and Jensen, who want the peer mentors to be relatable. They are already seeing positive results from WHSLC. Seventy-five percent of 2018 freshmen reported that Link Leaders had made a posi- tive impact. "We are definitely seeing an increase in school spirit," says Jen- sen. "We are seeing our freshmen taking an interest in things in a way we weren't seeing before." "As an educator for 16 years, this is one of the most satisfying things I have ever done," says Flores. "I feel very strongly about this program with my heart and soul." Flores and Jensen were surprised to discover that Link Leaders benefit as much as the freshmen. "These mentors are gaining real-world experiences to plan and execute group events, seek out freshmen who are having problems and help them find solutions," says Flores. "I love seeing Link Leaders develop leadership skills and become more empathetic and compassionate human beings," says Jensen. "It increases their maturity level." John Cho was mentored as a freshman and is now a Link Leader in his junior year. "When I was a freshman I didn't have a lot of friends the first few months and felt hollow and unconnected to other people," he says. "But then the Link Crew reached out to me, and I no lon- ger felt out of place. So now I enjoy returning the favor." Angelica Campos was extremely shy as a freshman and didn't feel comfortable talking to her peers or teachers. Being assigned a mentor and becoming one herself boosted her confidence. "I see myself in the students we work with," says the junior Link Leader. "And I can talk to people with- out freaking out anymore." —Sherry Posnick-Goodwin/Scott Buschman Student Tiffany Shyirakera talks about her experience with Link Crew. 26 cta.org " T H E S E M E N TO R S A R E GA I N I N G R E A L-W O R L D E X P E R I E N C E S TO S E E K O U T F R E S H M E N W H O A R E H AV I N G P R O B L E M S A N D H E L P T H E M F I N D S O L U T I O N S." — M O N I Q U E F LO R E S the Innovation issue the Innovation issue I T I N O I N N E O S S V U A Innovation Issue 2018 I I 2018 Innovation issue the 2018