Lisa Keough
I am an AACPS: School Social Worker, Annapolis Middle School
Across the county, 25 school social workers* are assigned to specific schools and are the link between home, school, and the community. As a team, we are always looking for new school-based initiatives to meet our students’ needs. We collaborate with school personnel to reduce barriers to learning and to provide specialized services that include individual and group counseling, crisis prevention and intervention, and consultation regarding behavioral management, mental health and substance abuse concerns.
As the School Social Worker at Annapolis Middle School, one initiative that I am excited to be involved with is the new El Joven Noble program. El Joven Noble (The Noble Young Man) is a youth leadership and character development program for male students in grades 6 and 7 at Annapolis Middle School that supports and guides Latino youth through a “rites of passage” process. Developed by Jerry Tello in 1988, the program utilizes a 12-session curriculum focusing on the prevention of substance abuse, teen pregnancy, relationship violence, gang involvement, and school failure. We currently have two El Joven Noble groups at Annapolis Middle School–one led by myself and Maria Baez (school social worker from Mary Moss at J. Albert Adams Academy) and one let by Jackie Munoz (AACPS Bilingual Facilitator) and Joe Hudson (Hispanic Liaison, Annapolis City Police).
One important element of the El Joven program is a home-school connection. Prior to the first session with students, Ms. Munoz, Mr. Hudson, and I held a parent information night. Seventeen parents along with their students attended and completed the required intake form. Within the first few minutes, one father commented how much he appreciated the opportunity for his son to learn more about his culture. Several single-mothers joined the discussion and were grateful for additional support as they try to raise “responsible young men.”
Nine students attended the initial session on Tuesday, October 25. The primary objective was to welcome everyone to the Joven Noble Circulo, a traditional talking, teaching circle used in indigenous Chicano/Latino cultures. To gain an understanding of each other, students were asked to share who they represent and what is their purpose in life. The first few members were quick to “pass” but as the circle process continued, one boy commented: “I represent my family.” Another shared his purpose in life was to be “a good person…make my family proud.” These simple statements were very powerful and led to a positive discussion about group norms. Students agreed to be respectful toward one another and welcomed the opportunity to increase their knowledge and gain new skills. For us, this is a critical first step in the learning and healing process. Future lessons/discussions will focus on life skills, cultural identity, health and character development, and leadership/community service. Embracing our new role as “Circle Keepers,” Ms. Baez and I look forward to guiding these young men towards being Hombres Noble, Men of their Word.
Special acknowledgement is given to the “Circulo de Hombres” and the National Compadres Network whose mission is to strengthen, balance and redevelop the traditional extended family systems in communities. Funding for the El Joven training and follow-up costs was provided through a federal Title III grant for Unaccompanied Immigrant Youth. The program is also currently in place in multiple school across our county as well as Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
* Note: All AACPS School Social Workers must be licensed certified clinical social workers and hold a Maryland State Department of Education professional certificate.
