November 16, 2009

>Teachers and Students Making An Impact

>There was a nice guest column in the Post-Standard today by Alec Angerosa, a member of East Syracuse-Minoa High School’s GSA. In it he writes about the importance of unifying the school community and changes he’s seen among his peers since the GSA was introduced at his school.

Teachers and students both agree that a type of unity and understanding began to flourish in the hallways and classrooms. There would no longer be a reason for any student to possess any fear for being different because a club would stand strongly beside him or her.

School is an important place for collaboration and challenging thought, and duly imperative is the teacher and student enthusiasm behind it. Just ask Cameo Thorne, New Haven’s Teacher of the Year. As an English teacher and advisor for her school’s Gay Straight Alliance, Rotary Club, Stop the Violence Group and literary magazine, Thorne encourages students to reach beyond their self-imposed limits.

You don’t get self-esteem by (a teacher) saying ‘Good work, good work’; you get self-esteem by doing something you didn’t think you could do.

Rarely do we realize our potential to make a positive impact until we become active participants in the communities around us. These stories are just two examples of the admirable work being done every day, in our own backyards, by people who challenge societal complacency with the sincerest of intentions.

   

About Elizabeth Free

       

Elizabeth Free is the communications manager at GLSEN--the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network. Elizabeth joined GLSEN in 2009 to make schools safer for all students and says one of the best parts of her job is working with GLSEN's Student Ambassadors. She is originally from Texas and has a B.A. in Public Relations and Advertising from the University of Houston.