|
|
At The Leadership School at Kieve, eighth graders from MSAD 58 flew through the air on the high ropes course, scaled Kieve’s 40-foot rock climbing wall, and reflected on their school, social and family experiences.
Students arrived to Kieve from four different schools: Stratton, Strong, Kingfield and Philips. Over five days of teambuilding, decision-making, and adventure learning activities on Damariscotta Lake MSAD 58 eighth graders bonded together in a powerful way. Kieve teacher and cabin staff member Abby Green explained, “Being at Kieve helped MSAD 58 students clear up a lot of misconceptions about each other. I think the Class of 2014 at Mount Abram High School is going to be an amazing class.”
Kieve staff and MSAD 58 teachers and students all agreed that the MSAD 58 eighth graders have developed into a wonderful and strong community of learners through their experience at Kieve.
Sharon Dudley, a parent of an MSAD 58 student as well as an employee of the school system, supported students and Kieve staff for the entirety of her district’s five-day program at Kieve.
“I think this week was fabulous,” she said. Dudley explained that students across schools typically only knew each other as sporting rivals. She was amazed to see them go from rivals to best buds. “Through climbing, for example, they have learned to trust each other in a great way.”
“This is a very diverse group of students who have really come together this week. Their communication skills improved and I have seen them work so well together,” Green said. Students Alex Viles and Chris Daly are from different schools. Down on the ropes course they said, “We didn’t even know each other at first. But now we do and we trust each other.”
Visiting staff said that they have seen amazing changes in their students and got a lot out of the experience themselves, too. Dudley explained, “I got just as much out of this week as the kids did. I challenged myself too. I was at the climbing wall and didn’t climb very high the first time. One of the kids came up to me and said, ‘You should try again on an easier wall.’ I don’t think I would have tried again if it weren’t for the encouragement of my students and the Kieve staff.”
Teachers Steve Mittman and David Ricker said that Kieve helped them professionally by reinforcing positive teaching techniques. Mittman spoke about the power of Kieve’s concept “Challenge by Choice” and positive encouragement. Ricker spoke about how being here reminded him of the benefits of positive reinforcement. He was inspired by how Green’s kind encouragement of students had a positive effect on them.
On the last day of the program, many MSAD 58 students were sad to leave. “This was the greatest rush of my life. I have accomplished so much here,” said student Alexis Deming. Students Brett Simpson and Samantha Bachelder said that they and their classmates are grateful for the opportunity to come to Kieve.
“I think Kieve is a great experience,” said Bachelder. Both agreed that students from their area should be able to continue coming. However, funding is a continual problem. Kieve-Wavus Education, Inc. subsidizes half of program costs. The town of Carrabassett Valley funds the other half of the cost. Without their support, this group of students would not be able to have this pinnacle experience. Steve Mittman said, “We really fight for this program back at home.”
For more information about The Leadership School call (207) 563-6212, email leadershipschool@kieve.org, or visit the website at www.theleadershipschool.org
