By: Melanie Steffan, Special Education Instructor at DHS
Peer to Peer is a class available for Juniors and Seniors at Dickinson High to enroll in. The course emphasizes the importance of inclusion among general education and special education students. The purpose of the class is for students to work together to teach social and leadership skills. Students have the opportunity to create the class environment the way they think would be beneficial in promoting school culture. Megan Grasl, a peer to peer mentee, shared, "I love peer to peer because I get to go places with new friends."
General education students are exposed to different professionals within the disability community and do research projects based on different disabilities. Special Education students work on self-advocacy, expected behaviors, and understanding of their disability. Some of the fun activities the group did together this semester have been mock "dating" for Valentine's Day, an assembly to celebrate "National Spread the Word to End the Word," fundraising for our upcoming trip to Fargo, coordinating a group for prom and socialization for students outside of a school environment.
Sheri Berscheid, mom to one of our mentees, shares the class's positive impacts on her daughter Jenna, "The Peer to Peer program has benefited Jenna in more ways than one can even imagine! It has created opportunities to establish unique, genuine, and positive lifelong friendships built on mutual trust and respect. The inclusive activities and events that the program supports has allowed Jenna a chance to experience and create life lessons and incredible memories! Jenna has greatly improved her social skills and awareness, boosting her self-esteem, creating independence and confidence. Whether it's spending time in class, cheering each other on in extracurricular events, or the simple things like phone calls and lunches, this time together has easily become the highlight of her day! We cannot express how truly grateful and blessed we are for the impact this program has made in Jenna's life!"
A class requirement is to spend 20 hours outside of the school day going to different activities that teenagers have access to. Special education students have the opportunity to practice the social skills that are worked on in class with their mentor in a safe and comfortable setting. The mentors have the opportunity to practice their leadership skills and strategies. Abigail Goettle, a student mentor for peer to peer comments on the learning outcomes of the class, "Peer to Peer has benefitted me in a lot of ways. I have learned about different disabilities and that we really aren't that different. We all want to have friends and be included, and I think this program is a really good thing for both mentors and mentees. I loved getting to know all of the students, and without peer to peer I know that I wouldn't have gotten to know any of the amazing people."