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Don’t Give Your Away!™ |
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Reading, Writing, and Speaking are keys to empowerment for children
“Empowerment can be a wonderful thing. When adults are empowered, they change their world. I believe and have seen children do the same thing in the class room. Once they are empowered, they become influencers and they can do some wonderful things,” says Dr. Gail Hayes. a Character Education & Literacy Consultant who created the Powerful, Awesome, Intelligent Communicator Program.
Hayes has worked with a group of over 50 fourth graders at the Research Triangle Academy (RTCA) in Durham since the beginning of the school year. She created the program after her elementary school aged children faced challenges with bullying at school. Instead of initially reporting the incidents to the school, Hayes, who also helps adults deal with confrontation and relationship management in the workplace, took a different approach. She coached her children on confronting the students involved with positive results. Their actions resulted in the children being empowered while changing the bullying behavior and improving their relationships with others. The fourth graders at RTCA have now completed an anthology on self image and empowerment.
“This year with Ms Hayes has been so fun. She has taught us lots of things about respect. She also gave out prizes. She comes every Thursday. She helps us with our writing skills. She’s a true joy. We all love her to death. She loves us also. The most sweetest thing she has ever done is make this book for us. Being with her really helps and changes the way we are,” said Briana Wills, one of the new fourth grade authors.
Hayes has a passion for helping children become powerful communicators through reading, writing, speaking, and character education. One of her mains goals is to help children see that they can control their own behavior and set boundaries if they understand that they are powerful, awesome, intelligent communicators. Hayes believes that once a child understands who they are, then they can grasp the power of identity before they reach middle and high school, where identity is oftentimes crushed in the avalanche of peer pressure.
“I love to encourage people. I am a very good friend. I appreciate and I care for people. I respect others too. Mrs. Hayes has taught me plenty of things that I didn’t know. And every time I go home after Mrs. Hayes visited us, I go home and cry. She even taught us that boys are mighty, awesome, and powerful. And girls are precious, pretty, and powerful. That means that they are triple P. I really got an experience from Mrs. Hayes,” said Alexandria Watkins.
Hayes will continue with the program this summer and into the fall. Her hope is to train educators to use the program in class room to assist with class room management.
“Dr. Hayes has brought a spark to the students’ perspective of themselves and their environment. She interjects elements of personal empowerment and a sense of graciousness when teaching students the writing process and social skills. Her words shared with the student as a “Powerful, Awesome, Intelligent Communicator” encompasses her passion, her presence, and the gift that she chooses to share with all children in her presence,’ says Mr. Taylan Kusku., the teacher of one of the fourth grade classes involved in the program.
“The children worked hard this year. One of the fun things to watch was when they wanted to speak in the classroom. Before they could speak, they were required to stand and say their name and then ask their question or make their comment. This helped to reinforce identity and strengthen speaking skills,” says Hayes.
“I’m astounded by the creativity that flows from their fingertips. They have been fortunate to have the opportunity to become published authors at such a young age and they have taken full advantage of it. As a first year teacher, it has been an amazing sight to see how my students have developed. This journey has really meant something to them and they have grown into bright and wonderful young people. Each and every one of them has made me proud,” says Ms Devon Sanders of her fourth graders.
For more information on the Powerful, Awesome, Intelligent Communicators Program, contact Dr. Gail Hayes at (919) 471-1783 or visit the website at http://www.dontgiveyourpoweraway.com. |