Seeds Training is an integral part to Arizona GEAR UP Summer Camps. The educational programs the Seeds team implements build life, leadership, and learning skills for our GEAR UP students that not only help students now but well into the future.
While the pandemic required us to move the Summer Leadership and Technology Camp to a virtual platform, students showed up and had a great time. Seeds Training Founder Greg Evans noticed some unexpected surprises (and benefits).
“We always make sure to include many sharing opportunities. During a typical in-person setting, this is super easy for the extroverts in the group, but sometimes introverts hold back, which is unfortunate because what they have to say is often quite profound,” said Greg. “The virtual setting really provided a safe place for the quieter kids to engage right away, which set a great tone for engagement.”
Resilience is always a big part of social and emotional learning (SEL). Since the pandemic, theory turned to real-life experience. In the “before” world, some students may have thought school was a drag, but they quickly found out that being at home wasn’t much fun either. Like everyone, they had to put theory into practice.
“Resilience, grit, and persistence were big words for our team during the pandemic,” said Greg. “Ultimately, the kids who were able to embrace the change and show up saw they could be successful, and they’ll take these lessons wherever they go.”
GEAR UP students often have a lot of stuff going on outside of school that’s extremely challenging, which requires a lot of resilience, but some schools expect students to show up and be ready to go. SEL work gives them the understanding of how they learn and how to interact on the same level as those students who don’t experience the same challenges. The fact that Seeds Training hires many GEAR UP alumni (many from Arizona GEAR UP) strengthens the work and outcomes.
“GEAR UP alumni have first-hand experience of challenges our students face. They bring so much to our training,” said Greg. “And, we’re always so happy to work with Arizona GEAR UP. We’ve always found the staff so engaged and committed, and the students coming out the program are some of the best, which speaks volumes to the work you do.”
Before we go, did you know Seeds Training also offers classes (some free) for parents, too? Check out some of these training opportunities.