Community & Culture

Alone, we can do so little; we can do so much

- Helen Keller

Together

THIS IS COMMUNITY & CULTURE

Community & Culture is a contemporary, research-based program at Escuela Americana designed to develop greater human connection and promote socialemotional well-being. Our goal is to shift the whole community to embrace a culture of empathy, compassion, effective communication skills, a growth mindset, and greater self-awareness, by providing individuals with tools for their well-being and growth. This program was created with research-based strategies to promote a positive school culture and a community where connection and growth are at the forefront.

In the face of the new challenges our students are living with in today’s world, Escuela Americana has understood that it is imperative that social-emotional skills are taught alongside academics. To educate the whole individual we must teach crucial life skills, including the ability to connect to the self and others, manage mindset and self-talk, develop a positive self-image, take responsibility for his/her actions, and build skills to forge relationships with the people around them.

THIS IS HOW CC WORKS

For the CC session, we place the participants in small, diverse groups. Our goal is to allow each group member to be fully present with the freedom to learn and express themselves in an open, honest, and authentic way, to create a supportive, trust-filled space that is conducive to learning and sharing.

All sessions happen twice a week and last 60 minutes each. They start with a mindfulness practice that aims to allow group members to unwind, arrive physically and mentally prepared, and learn about the benefits of mindfulness practice in their everyday life. Next, the group facilitator leads an activity for members to connect with each other and get introduced to the topic of the session in an interactive way.

After the activity, members participate in an experiential lesson meant to have them learn and practice new social-emotional skills. Once the lesson is over, members come together to reflect on their takeaways for that day.

Student and faculty voice is extremely valuable to the program, so we ask them to complete a survey twice a month.

Watch a Sneak peek of Community & Culture real sessions by scanning this QR code.

COMMUNITY & CULTURE’S GOAL

Within the next 5 years, the program aims to empower each community member by having them witness first-hand that they are capable of self-management in any situation, and not only can they transform themselves, but also their community.

Our goal is to share CC with other school communities within the region and beyond to work together to equip and empower new generations to come with the necessary social-emotional tools for today’s world.

IMPLEMENTING CC IN YOUR COMMUNITY IS EASY!

ASSESMENT OF SCHOOL COMMUNITY

When introducing the program at a school, we first conduct a thorough analysis of school culture and propose a curriculum based on the school’s unique necessities and areas of improvement. We conduct interviews and surveys to find specific areas that require greater attention within each school. Then, we choose those additional sessions that serve the specific needs of that community.

SHARING THE PURPOSE

STEP STEP STEP

Once we have established the first group of stakeholders who will receive CC, we communicate the purpose of CC (the why and what) with the understanding that all stakeholders will eventually participate. Including the entire school community is the base for building a healthy culture.

CREATING SUPPORTIVE SPACE

We begin by placing the chosen stakeholders in small, diverse groups that establish confidentiality agreements and deep dive into the elements of trust. This allows for creating a supportive, trusting space to enable learning and sharing.

The purpose is to allow each group member to be fully present with the freedom to learn and express themselves in an open, honest, and authentic way.

AS A RESULT:

We then proceed to educate those stakeholders in 9 categories, including:

1. Trust (Integrity, confidentiality, setting boundaries,...) 2. Emotional awareness and management (identifying emotions and managing them) 3. Communication skills for healthy relationships (active listening, assertiveness) 4. Problem-solving 5. Self-awareness (authenticity, vulnerability, self-esteem, perception …) 6. Non-judgment 7. The neuroscience of how our mind works 8. Mindfulness as a tool for self-observation and growth 9. Resilience during crisis

THIS IS WHAT OUR COMMUNITY LOVES ABOUT CC

“CC is a place where we can find an adult we can trust in our lifes to seek for help. I personally enjoy CC when we talk about emotions and how to deal with them.”

“CC has allowed me to create with members outside of my am eternally

create meaningful connections my division. And for that I eternally grateful.”

“CC has helped our community embrace a culture of empathy, effective communication skills, a growth mindset, respect and kindness.”

Watch full testimonials by scanning the QR code

GET IN TOUCH

communityandculture@amschool.edu.sv