Feb 22nd- Feb 26th

This week students made "treasure maps" that display their personal life goals, and the steps it will take to reach those goals. All students discussed how they would like to have: a good job, not live pay check to pay check, have a family of their own, travel the world, and some students talked about pursuing a masters degree and even a PhD. On Thursday the students presented their Treasure maps to the class. This week was Nina's last full week with YESS at Shaw. All of the students have really enjoyed having Nina in the classroom. The students learned more about what a teaching internship entails, as well as learned about Belgium and all of the wonderful Belgium has to offer. This has inspired many of the students to do a study abroad program when they get to college.

We end the week with career research. Students will learn more about a career that interests them, as well as learn the salary, education, and in general more about their career. Overall, this was a great week.

Feb 15- 19

This week students began thinking about their future. Students did research on a university they are interested in, as well as learned more about why it is important to go to college. We talked about reasons why someone would not want to go to college, and why people do want to go to college. We discussed what media, social media, teachers, and friends have told them about college, and we talked about what college is really like.

After this week, many students are now thinking about different colleges they can attend, and what careers they are interested in. Next week we will continue to discuss goals, jobs, and career research.

February 1st- 5th

This week YESS at Shaw had one new leader in the classroom. Nina comes from Belgium and will be a program intern for the Month of February. Nina is studying to be a teacher in her country in math and French. All of the students were excited to meet her and are happy to have her here. Nina was excited to jump in and start teaching and taught a few classes on Thursday on accountability. 

Since the students have been learning about accountability, students did skits this week to  demonstrate what accountability looks like, and what it does not look like.

Overall this was an exciting week as Shaw.

-Tracie Trinidad, program manager 








This week was my first week in the YESS class in Shaw Heights. I was very excited to meet the students and to get to know more about the YESS program. On Tuesday I taught some classes about accountability. At first I was nervous and I had trouble finding my words in English. But along the day it went better. I am happy to be here and I hope to keep on learning.

-Nina Steenberghs, program intern

January 25th- 29th

This week the mentees who are in my AE had the opportunity to collaborate with WEB on brainstorming a school assembly on bullying. The students talked about personal experiences, ways to address the  issues, and what the biggest issues in the school are. We are hoping to to an assembly in March before Spring break.

Future mentors and web

Also, this week students discussed times when they were accountable, and not accountable.  Students have learned that honesty is truly the best policy.  Students reflected on adult they have in their life, and if they display accountability everyday. Some students learned that even though some adults may be an authority figure in their life, doesn't mean they are perfect. Adults make mistakes too.