Students come to BEST to do better in school. Some are dealing with personal trauma or emotional difficulties. Others feel lost in large public school classes and need more individual attention and interaction.
We help students create a toolbox of new skills to catch up to their peers. We call these the BEST skills, and they help students meet state standards for math and English. They also help students become happier and more confident.
Improvement in small steps. Over time, these small steps add up to significant academic progress and personal development.
Behavioral skills
Behavioral skills come from understanding and managing emotions, and then learning to express them appropriately. This is where smaller classes and one hour of mentoring a day produce results.
We talk to students about their emotions and how to handle them on a regular basis. In our experience, these conversations are most effective when students are calm and engaged. We teach them how to recognize the physical signs of anger, frustration and anxiety, and then learn to calm themselves.
Over time, BEST students learn to recognize the onset of strong emotions and resolve conflicts that might otherwise spin out of control.
Educational skills
Middle school is the time for students to develop the focus and discipline they need in high school, college and a career. Academic requirements become harder and students have more teachers, each with their own methods.
The educational skills we teach at BEST build confidence and resilience. Our students discuss and learn about communication, working together and solving problems. These skills are critical, requiring students to organize their schedules, contribute to projects and manage homework on their own.
Once students know how to learn, they can understand and master new concepts — not just for grades, but for the satisfaction of successful learning.
Social Skills
BEST students learn social skills to form better relationships with teachers and peers. We teach them how to communicate more effectively, defuse conflicts, and build empathy and self-awareness.
This kind of understanding helps students make smarter choices and withstand peer pressure. They develop a sense of pride and belonging in their school community, which sets the stage for continuing success.
Over time, strong social skills support better emotional health, self-esteem and self-confidence. These strengths counter feelings of alienation or isolation, leading to more positive relationships in school and at home.
Transitional Skills
Adolescents need transitional skills to manage the change from elementary school. This is even more critical for students who associate change with disruption or trauma. We teach them to manage themselves and have confidence in their decisions — even in unfamiliar situations or environments.
Middle school students have multiple teachers and a more challenging curriculum. This requires planning, setting priorities and organization. Building those skills results in more confidence and the willingness to assume responsibility.
This results in students keeping better track of class schedules, group projects and assignments.
Changes you can see in school and at home
Developing the BEST skills will help your student do better in school. These new abilities can also improve your student’s relationships with family and friends.
Teaching these skills requires the buy-in and support of the student’s parents or guardians. Over the years, we’ve seen the benefits of parental involvement and partnership with teachers. Students who have this collaboration and consistency do better in school and have fewer behavioral problems.
If you’d like to learn more about how we can help your student do better, email Marquis Flemings, our Executive Director, here