Students present ‘Educators Rising’ advisory lessons and transition book to board

Students from East Windsor Middle School’s Educators Rising club presented to the school board about projects they have created to strengthen school climate and help younger students transition to middle school.

The presentation, led by club advisors Mr. Brunt and Miss Sharp and delivered by students including Olivia, Zoe and Zaden, highlighted three areas: student-created social-emotional learning lessons used in advisory classes, participation by club members on the safe school climate committee, and a book project designed to explain the middle-school experience to incoming fifth graders.

"Students in Ed Rising work on projects that focus on leadership, supporting the school community, improving school culture, and experiencing what it's like to be an educator," Olivia told the board during the slideshow presentation. Club leaders said roughly 16 members participate and meet two to three times a month to develop lessons and activities.

Advisors said teachers have used materials the students designed, and teachers have asked for additional lessons after seeing positive classroom results. Zoe described the group’s advisory lesson on "connections," in which students name people they can turn to in the building and toss string to make a web, visually demonstrating the network of support across students, teachers, nurses and counselors.

Three student members — Zoe, CeCe and Violet — also joined a safe school climate committee meeting to review survey results and provide student perspective. "Their insight was incredibly valuable to both the committee and the staff," an advisor said, praising the students for being “poised” and staying late to answer questions.

The club’s current major project is a printed book to be read to fourth graders that explains schedules, class transitions and expectations to ease anxiety about the move to middle school. Students described drafting, illustrating and testing material; one student said the effort has taken longer than expected but has offered an authentic lesson in the iterative nature of teaching.

Board members commended the students’ work, noted the district’s interest in amplifying student voice, and encouraged continued participation with the high-school program where available. The board did not take action; the presentation concluded with thanks and an invitation for the club to return to report future progress.