Enlightened teen education
What I’m about to write is counter-intuitive, fair warning given.
The phenomenon I’m about to describe has interested me for over a decade.
It’s the one big thing that I’ve seen make a difference in teens’ lives, often enabling them to cope with the stress of being at public or private schools during the day.
It’s attending more school –though of a different kind entirely.
They attend this school in the evening, or on Sunday mornings. Surprising, no?
It’s mostly a laid back school—a supplementary high school for Jewish teenagers.
Hundreds of Jewish teens attend a weekly educational program and absolutely unwind when they arrive. They rarely miss attending–despite upcoming mid-terms, papers, and after school obligations.
What do the teens mostly do?
They visibly relax, smile, laugh, and spend some down time with each other before, during, and after class.
They listen to each other, discuss interesting topics with skilled teachers who want to hear what they have to say.
It’s powerful.
In what they feel is their own space, teens get to network with each other about strategies to cope with school, how to deal with upcoming tests, which study guides are best….and countless other tips shared with each other in a relaxed and supportive environment.
More school? Who would have thought….
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Do Jewish Teens Need an Ethical Tune-Up?
One Comment I Never Hear as a Jewish educator