Rachel’s Challenge: An Investigation of Impact within a High School Setting

Payton PorterFollow

University

Shawnee State University

Major

Integrated Social Sciences AYA Education 7-12

Student Type

Undergraduate Student

Presentation Types

Oral Presentation

Keywords:

Mental Health, Emotional Safety, Kindness, Community Building

Abstract

Friends of Rachel: a national organization focused on fostering positive classroom culture and schoolwide environment through the use of kindness-centered and community building activities. Friends of Rachel was implemented in a high school setting during classroom instructional time; we also met for schoolwide club days as a proposal to the detrimental national mental health crisis in our student body. Students build self-empathy through self-reflection in kindness based mini-projects such as “bucket filler,” “pass the plate,” and more, followed by vulnerable conversations regarding the effect our words and actions have on our peers. This study is conducted and analyzed through qualitative research methods including the comparisons of pre- and post-surveys as well as from student anecdotes regarding how Friends of Rachel has impacted them. Friends of Rachel is only a stepping stone in the right direction in the efforts of combating the deficiencies in our students' physical and emotional safety.

Human Subjects

yes

IRB Approval

yes

Faculty Mentor Name

Shannon Mills

Faculty Mentor Title

Professor

Faculty Mentor Academic Department

School of Education

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Rachel’s Challenge: An Investigation of Impact within a High School Setting

Friends of Rachel: a national organization focused on fostering positive classroom culture and schoolwide environment through the use of kindness-centered and community building activities. Friends of Rachel was implemented in a high school setting during classroom instructional time; we also met for schoolwide club days as a proposal to the detrimental national mental health crisis in our student body. Students build self-empathy through self-reflection in kindness based mini-projects such as “bucket filler,” “pass the plate,” and more, followed by vulnerable conversations regarding the effect our words and actions have on our peers. This study is conducted and analyzed through qualitative research methods including the comparisons of pre- and post-surveys as well as from student anecdotes regarding how Friends of Rachel has impacted them. Friends of Rachel is only a stepping stone in the right direction in the efforts of combating the deficiencies in our students' physical and emotional safety.