Peer Challenge
Peer Challengers Make a Difference!
Students Helping Students
What is Peer Challenge?
Peer challenge is based on the fact that students most often seek out other students when they are experiencing some frustration, worry or concern. Students want to help each other, yet they often do not know how to do it or what to do. Peer challengers are those who work with a supervisor to provide:
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listening and understanding; |
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friendship and support; |
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decision making assistance; |
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tutoring and academic help; |
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problem-solving assistance; and |
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referrals to professionals |
Why peer challenge?
Peer challenge members empower adolescents to deal with substance abuse, suicide, loneliness, low self-esteem, decision-making/problem-solving and other issues that interfere with student development and learning. Peer challenge teaches young people the relevant skills to help combat the impact of negative peer pressure. Peer challenge contributes to the atmosphere of care needed by educational institutions to reduce vandalism, truancy and dropout.
How do peer challengers help?
Peer challengers’ roles are determined by the training/support they receive and by the needs of the student community they serve. Some typical assignments include working as:
Tutors: helping students with academic and social learning;
Buddies: helping younger or new students make transitions into a new school;
Orientation Guides: helping and informing students;
Special Projects: design and coordinate projects of benefit to students and others in the community
Academic Assistants: helping students set goals, consider options and plan actions
Referral Agents: helping students get connected to appropriate specialists
Peer ‘Counselors‘: helping others sort out problems and concerns, brainstorm ideas and providing practical help, when possible
Conflict Mediators: assisting students in resolving disputes
What peer challenge is not!
Peer challengers do not make decisions for others. They may suggest options or discuss alternatives and identify consequences, but they do not tell others what to do. Peer challengers do not provide therapy or treatments. They are neither replacements for professional counselors.
Advisor for the Peer Challenge program is Mr. Holter
Email: eholter@isd100.org
Phone: 218-384-4274 ext. 2008
