The GJHS Student Centre
Gorsebrook Junior High School has a busy and well utilized Student Centre. It is a rather unique model as it welcomes students with a wide range of academic abilities thus creating an atmosphere of inclusion and acceptance. If you came in our student centre at any given time, you might see between 5 and 15 students working on a variety of different subjects, requiring various amuont of assitance. It is a place where students of all ranges seem willing to come to get extra help, do group work, use a computer or have a quieter study time.
A few students come on a regularly scheduled basis for help with their classwork but students are also welcome to drop in anytime as they require extra help. In this model, students are able to self identify when they need help and receive this assistance in a smaller group than the classroom setting. We currently have 7 volunteers working in our room on a daily basis, this allows even more one on one help for students.
As the student centre teacher, I work closely with the classroom teachers to determine which supports are needed for students. It is important that the lines of communication are open between the classroom teacher and the support teachers, thus allowing the best possible programming for the students. Again, this year we have a job share teacher in the student centre. Alison Campbell has her master's degree in diversity as well as a varied teaching history, including the classroom. I also have a master's degree in education as well as many years experience with the HRSB, including classroom as well as resource.