The Empower Program, K-2

Reviews / Votes

The Empower Program, K-2 is a beneficial, organized social skills curriculum that allows all those that utilize it to infuse essential social skills into the classroom and in other aspects of the school. Because of its multi-sensory approach and scripted lesson plans, it makes it easy for all school staff members to deliver and implement the social skills, while also engaging the students. The depth and dynamic approach to the curriculum make it much more than just a positive behavioral support system. -- Brett Hoyt, school psychologist, Camden Community Charter School (Camden, NJ) The Empower Program, K-2 social skills curriculum created by Rachel Baker has impressed me in several important ways. It is clearly built on a foundation of respect for students. The practices it teaches are developmentally appropriate. Throughout its processes, the importance of student choice and responsibility for self and others ?is emphasized. As a result of the above, I have advocated its full implementation in both charter schools with which I work. -- Gaeton Zorzi, senior vice-president for elementary programs, superintendent, CSMI, LLC, New Jersey Charter Schools As a member of the Culture Team, it is very easy to rely heavily on consequences when students present challenging behaviors. After working closely with Rachel and being introduced to The Empower Program, K-2, I was able to create and implement various structures and supports for my students. The structures and supports that I was able to implement gives students the tools and space they need to express themselves appropriately and respectfully. This has helped to create a more positive culture and has decreased the need for consequences such as suspensions and detentions. -- Brandon Millwood, director of culture, Paul Robeson Charter School (Trenton, NJ) The Empower Program, K-2 works for maintaining discipline while making the students feel empowered. It teaches our learners to have a sense of responsibility for the actions they choose while giving them the tools they need to make better choices. -- Khaleo Brown, student support officer, Camden Community Charter School (Camden, NJ) My 2nd grade students love The Empower Program, K-2 because it gets them involved physically and keeps them actively engaged by letting them think, discuss, and practice acceptable responses when situations or other people make them upset. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to give students of all ages the tools to self-regulate and increase personal awareness and responsibility to make positive choices. -- Leslie Johnson, 2nd grade teacher, Camden Community Charter School (Camden, NJ) In November 2009, I introduced pieces of The Empower Program, K-2. We reviewed a social skill a week, focusing on the ones my students needed immediately (quiet hands, calm body, quiet tone) then moved on to the others. I also set up a calm corner (a chair with a binder filled with all of the social skills). There are pictures for my nonverbal students, and they choose one of each picture. The teacher that assists the student or tells the student to go to the calm corner also assists in answering the questions. I love how the program has given my students a voice when they forget what they should be doing. -- Joyce Marie Lewis, special education teacher K-2, P.G. Chambers School (Cedar Knolls, NJ)