Pendergast district professional development report june 4 2015 a

2015 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REPORT

Thank you Pendergast School District for the Opportunity to Help Inspire and Empower your Team with a New Sense of Customer Service, Protocol and Urgency through the Power of Art, Communication and Play . . .

RELEASE THE FEAR'S BRIDGING POSSIBILITIES=

Inspiring & empowering kids with the tools to make better life choices . . .

Thanks to the foresight of Arizona Department of Education.

This is the Final Report of the Professional Development workshop for Pendergast School District's Board, Administration and Superintendent. Results demonstrate that it is making a difference in the 42 participants from what they experienced through the "Bridging Possibilities" Character Education program. Demonstrating the power and importance of inspiring and empowering our teachers and school leaders with the essential tools so that their students are able to make better life choices, find their gifts and know that they matter!

Allowing them to lead our youth to a more meaningful productive life and become tomorrow's leaders in Arizona, for a brighter tomorrow for all.

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hat: Release the Fear, a non-profit health and human services organization, teaches Arizona’s youth the

life skills needed to combat the effects of Peer Pressure, Gang involvement, Bullying, Abuse, and Violence in our society and to make better life choices. Release the Fear (RTF) has worked with thousands of at-risk youth and adults in Arizona and around the world, offering experiential programs that help reverse the paralyzing effects of fear and diminished self-worth. Our programs encourage youth to explore safe and healthy lifestyles and to overcome disabilities through the development of leadership and social skills through evidence-based curriculum that meets National Common Core standards. Arizona Department of Education, accredited Release the Fear program as a Character Education program

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ow: These programs stimulate whole-brain thinking and develop metacognitive thought processing by utilizing new

applied-knowledge teaching methods. These programs demonstrate options that awaken a creative consciousness and expose the unlimited potential of critical thinking and problem solving to help participants develop better cognitive behavioral skills. Our trained facilitators guide participants through interactive creative activities and analytically explore the connectedness to their lives. Release the Fear utilizes inquiry-based learning experiences, an educational practice where the teacher/facilitator uses controlled questioning to serve as a learning guide in order to move students towards new understandings. Educational research shows that student retention increases when new learning is discovered through inquiry practices, as the student is able to take ownership of these findings. The teacher/facilitator must act as guide while being an expert questioner, thinking of the end objective at all times and posing questions to allow students to reach objectives on their own. When this is done, students are able to create new thought patterns which connect and build on their applied knowledge and personal life goals. Without these essential life skills, the still- maturing minds of detained youth view their future as bleak with no hope for a “normal” life.

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pproach: Through experiential programs, we encourage participants to develop valuable core life skills, better critical

problem solving, and a healthy sense of understanding of self and others. Through the RTF programs, participants discover that anything is possible, that they have a purpose in life. They see why they do matter to the world, to the community, and most of all to themselves.

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ransformation: The Maricopa County Juvenile Probation Office released a 2010 report demonstrating the value of

Inside Out Bridging Possibilities workshops on 357 of their juvenile population. Thirty percent of incarcerated youth recidivate—meaning three out of ten will again find themselves in conflict with law and society and back behind bars. For the incarcerated youth who participated in just one Release the Fear workshop, that recidivism figure dropped by 23 percent. For those who were able to benefit from multiple workshops, it dropped by 16 percent - nearly half. That is an impressive impact on any child’s future as well as the community in general..

Release the Fear, Inc. has worked with youth in Arizona and internationally, in such places as Guam and El Salvador, instilling positive life changes for thousands.

Thank You For Helping Us Realize Anything Is Possible. .

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RELEASE THE FEAR 2015 RTF Pre/Post Survey Results PENDERGAST OVERALL PERCENTAGES SCHOOL DISTRICT June 4 2015 42 adults (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 43% Female 57% – Ages 33-67 Post 96% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

Post 100% discovered something new in the workshop.

Yes or No: I feel comfortable working in a team environment Pre %Yes 92 % No 8 I learned something in this session that I will be able to use in my work and/or everyday life.

Post % Strongly Agree 64 % Agree 24 % Neutral 12 %Disagree 0 Did you learn anything that would help you improve your communication skills?

Post % Not at all 0 % Maybe 8 % Yes 92 %Other 0 Thoughts Shared: Humor (not so serious) My time in the workshop was well spent and I had fun.

Post % Strongly Agree 68 % Agree 28 % Neutral 4

% Disagree 0

Release the Fear Collaboration with ADJC on Recidivism Research Update through December 2014: 27 months - ADJC Report Submitted January 20, 2015 Since September 2012, Release the Fear has participated in an Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC) multi-year study of participant recidivism. Recidivism is defined as “a return to custody,” in either the ADJC or the Arizona Department of Corrections. Data from the first 27 months of the study are reported below.

Twenty-nine “Release the Fear” workshops were conducted between September 2012 and the end of December 2014, serving 721 juveniles age 14-18 year of age. Seventeen workshops took place in secure care (562 individuals) and twelve workshops (159 participants) occurred in the community (Release the Fear @ Grace Chapel). ADJC further reports that 19% of participating individuals in secure care attended more than one RTF workshop.

Of the 562 youth who participated in a RTF workshop while in secure care, 66% of the population (370 youth) have been released from custody, while 34% (192 youth) remain in custody. Of those released or discharged from secure care, 31% (116 individuals), have since returned to secure care as a result of violations of their community supervision.

Of the 159 youth who participated in a RTF workshop while on community supervision, 78% (124 individuals) have been released or discharged. The remaining 22% (35 individuals) are still under community supervision. Fortyeight individuals (39%) who participated in one or more RTF workshops during community supervision have been returned to secure care due to violations of the terms of supervision.

*ADJC notes that the follow-up time for this report is limited (ranges from one day to one year and five months), which may result in inaccurate statements of recidivism rates than if the cases could be followed for the preferred 36 months.

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Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections Recidivism Rates (%)

Pendergast Agenda “Bridging Endless Possibilities”

Inspire and Empower your Team with a New Sense of Customer Service, Protocol and Urgency, through the Power of Art, Communication and Play.

Session begins at 1:00 pm Facilitators: Aeimee - Mike - Francisco - Robert Character Counts SessionDivide up in4 groups and set expectations / safe space  Pre-survey 

Warm-Up (Ball Exercise)

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Who am I?

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Creative story telling five minutes to come up with a skit two minutes for each 4groups to perform

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Reflect in team on who am I /creative story share

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Mirror work

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Through the hoops ( large circle link up as team )

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Seeing Beyond

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Reflect on the hoops and seeing beyond activities

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Drawing one's memory fear and dreams in each of four groups/group selects one person from each to read to the entire audience.

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Post survey

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Wrap up and share

Youth Inspired Over Eight Years Study

For eighteen years, Release the Fear has had the opportunity to interact with over 7,500 troubled youth; these youth now know they have a life purpose. They know their wishes and dreams can come true. They know they are worth it and that they matter!

Our evidence-based curriculum has helped troubled kids in schools, jails, detention, and treatment centers. Through the creative processes of art, music, and communication, we teach kids cognitive behavioral skills to build self-esteem. They learn tools to help them succeed in school, conflict resolution, and to address peer pressure, and bullying.

Between the years 2007 and 2013, Release Fear has shown constant improvement upon youth’s pre- and post-reporting’s learned about perceptions of themselves.

In addition, during the years of 2012 and 2013, Release the Fear has contributed to an overall improvement of youth’s self-reported willingness to assist another if bullied. Despite a decline of reported learning’s about proactive options to prevent being bullied, their learning consistently remained over 78 percent.

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RTF Aggregate % New Survey Questions 2012- 2014 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0

3.2 1.52 Learned Something About Bullying

Stated WOULD Do Something if Witnessed Bullying

Thanks to License Plate Funding, 42 adults comprised of Pendergast School District's Board, Administration and Superintendent experienced new Possibilities.

This workshop took place on June 4, 2015.

Opening up possibilities for the young minds of Arizona’s youth for a brighter tomorrow.© “Bridging Possibility” workshops.

Through stories, activities and artwork, Release the Fear’s Workshops will help to:  Draw One’s Fears and Awaken Hopes and Dreams  Stimulate Creative Listening and Communication  Bridge Understanding  Awaken Senses  Heighten Visual Awareness of Our Environment  Inspirer and Empower a new sense of Self and Others  Projecting Your Best Self Forward The students are divided into four groups or teams that they remain with throughout the workshop. In their small group, the students may be asked to complete an activity, to share responses, or to reflect on an exercise. Often times these groups can have students with different beliefs, various backgrounds, and even opposing gang affiliations. The workshop will end with a group created painting to be displayed for the public.

Participant Responses Participants are asked to reflect on several of the activities and then share with the group.

These responses are written in their words without edit.

The following responses are from the participants who range in ages from 33-67.

The students are asked to reflect on the following question: How do you think this activity could help you in your daily life (In School, Out of School, or In Your Career)?

Who am I? : Listen to understand, all bring different things to the table, goal of effective communication. Build relations, openness, trust. Everyone is different, listen first. Be open to others, Recognize we all have unique experiences. / Honesty, problem solve, listen, communicators, empathy, compassion. Walk in each other’s footprints, build relationship connections, know someone, build trust, more depth, same way communicate, get to know better relationships. / Trust caring. / Education teach, advocate, commit, expert learners, mediate possible problem, open, diverse common trust, fun, compassionate, no preconceived notion, open, understanding, non-judgmental, no barriers, inclusion, engaging, building relationships. Visual, participation, understanding, critical thinking.

Creative Storytelling: Open to ideas, collaboration, planning goal in mind, use humor to address issues, facilitate collaborate, to address issues, effective collaboration, use to illustrate, it is explicit, break down abstract concept, collaboration, communicating an idea, memorable-in a short time. / Animation, communicate, humor, engagement, enjoy work, when you’re happy you bully less, reduce stress with humor. / Teamwork, communicate, visual model, feelings, have to work together, solidify learning, being evaluated, think outside the box, pbl, seeking understanding, launching pad, team effort

despite discomfort, role play social situations, all participate, inclusive, empathy, deeply thinking, engage, things are easier on team. / Teamwork, have fun, thinking on feet, participation of all, out of comfort zone, ice breaker or team builder, interdependent on each other, focus on engagement, working together interdependently to rely on each other, member showcases skills, we might not know about others, okay to laugh at your self-see humor in things / Through the Hoops: Teamwork, flexible, trust, unity, productive discomfort, don’t break the link, problem solving challenges, increase production, consistency, support, use strengths/challenges of others, adjust, adapt to changes, go with the flow, everyday problems-call for supports, facilitate solutions to problems, teamwork. / Connections, flexibility, communication, collaboration, ability to bend, interdependence, valuing and supporting others, common goals, practice makes perfect. Gets further as a team. / Rely on each other, trust, ownership, trust, anticipate unknown, preparing team building, tight spot, ask for help, learn from each other, struggle, flexible, cannot always see what’s coming your way. / Teamwork, directions, patience, observations, all are needed to get the job done, success for everyone, multiple skills, feeling of satisfaction, learning how to work with how to adjust, can’t control, waiting. Different approach for different situations, be prepared.

Seeing Beyond: Questioning, descriptive language, importance of being clear/concise interpretation, words can listening to details prior knowledge, observations to make determination, thinking, had to be intentional and honed in, vocab makes it relevant. Building on your present, reflecting on events, sensory details. / Questioning, descriptive deductive reasoning, descriptive writing, tool for ELL learners. Used as a communication tool, vocabulary, discipline, analyze data ELL writers, clear communication, relationships / Shift happiness. / Patience, problem solving, identification, descriptive, ELL learners sentences, creative writing assignment, engaging, problem solving strategies, honesty.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: Making connections, draw on background knowledge, use senses, listening, questioning, going into unknown, communicating clearly, deep thinking, need to deeply listening and question to put pieces together, make effort to get to know them, do not judge, uncover the real person, being patient and talking time to critical attributes.

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Release the Fear, Inc. ® PO Box 3815 Phoenix, AZ 85030 www.releasethefear.org 602-818 6959

Funded By: License Plate Funding Location: Pendergast Professional Development %Male 43

%Female 57

Date: June 4, 2015

Ages 33-67

Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 40 % All the Time 64 % No Answer 0 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 20 % All the Time 76 % No Answer 4 One thing I would like to learn/ or did learn in workshop that will help me reach my dream: Thoughts Shared: Creating a learning for all culture / focus on the goals and be determined to get all students there. / Positivity / I can make my dreams come true if I put some urgency into them Post 100% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: Keep focused. / We all have our fears. / How to achieve them. / Values. / Visualizing them. / Team work is really important. / To be true to my dream. / Reflect, believe in myself. / Together we go further. / Interdependence, listening. / Time will to. / Teamwork and communication. / Connecting a memory to my vision. / Face your fears, work together. / Perseverance. / The necessity for a committed, unified vision. / Facing fears. / Use the mind’s eye, trust in myself, continue to overcome and pursue dreams. / Reflection and apply. / To let go of my fears and keep strong for my hopes and dreams. / Preparation. / Tackle your fears. / I’m not alone. / Others have same issues as I. / Have confidence and overcome the fear. / Hope. / I am not aloneNobody likes public speaking. / Love myself. / Recognize what each person can bring and challenge yourself to accept fears and overcome them. / Believe in Me. / Use experiences to help others-many feeling the same. / Working together is very important. / Team. / Reflect, share, gratitude. / Make my dreams urgent. / I am not alone. There are many people surrounding me to help me reach my dreams. / Self reflection, step out of comfort zone. / Reflect on all senses, I don’t have to be perfect just love myself. / Trust and teamwork. / Work hard/play hard.

Rate this statement: I feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 44 % All the Time 56 % No Answer 4 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 28 % All the Time 72 % No Answer 0 Yes or No: I feel comfortable working in a team environment Pre %Yes 92 % No 8 Thoughts Shared: Depends on the task. / Yes or No: I feel most comfortable working alone Pre %Yes 20 % No 80 Thoughts Shared: I’ll get the job done. Except when absolutely needed.

Yes or No: I feel alone in my feelings and that no one else understands me.

Pre % Yes 32 % No 68 % Other 0 Post % Yes 8 % No 88 % Other 4

Rate this statement: On a scale from 1 to 10, ten being the most, one being the least. I feel appreciated or that what I do matters at work: Pre %10 36 %9 20 %8 20 %7 4 %6 4 %5 4 %4 0 %3 0 %2 0 %1 0 Post %10 56 %9 32 %8 4 %7 0 %6 0 %5 4 %4 0 %3 0 %2 0 %1 0 What was your favorite activity in the workshop?

Post 100% had a favorite activity in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: Drawings. / Picture. / Group activity and reflections. / Hula Hoop. / Reflections. / Through the hoops. / Sharing the drawings. / Sharing personal feelings and stories. / Memories, hopes, dreams. / All of the activities-opportunities to reflect. / The creative story. / The ball. / Loved all of them-great opportunity to work and problem solve with others. / All. / Working with team, sharing, reflections. / The diverse activities. They all made me laugh. / Drawing. / Teamwork on all the reflection and activities. / Reflection/presentation following an activity.

I learned something in this session that will be able to use in my work and/or everyday life.

Post % Strongly Agree 64 % Agree 24 % Neutral 12 %Disagree 0 Did you learn anything that would help you improve your communication skills?

Post % Not at all 0 % Maybe 8 % Yes 92 %Other 0 Thoughts Shared: Humor (not so serious) My time in the workshop was well spent and I had fun.

Post % Strongly Agree 68 % Agree 28 % Neutral 4

% Disagree 0

RELEASE THE FEAR, Inc 速 Release the Fear, Inc. 速 PO Box 3815 Phoenix, AZ 85030 www.releasethefear.org 602-818 6959

Thank you Team Pendergast for the opportunity and for believing in our mission and vision ,that each and every person is deserving to be inspired and empowered with the tools to make better life choices.

Today they are that much closer to finding their gifts they have to share with the world around them.

Most sincerely,

Robert J Miley CEO and Founder

Office- 302 W. Monroe in Downtown Phoenix Mailing-332 W. Lynwood Phoenix, AZ 85003 info@release the fear.org www.releasethefear.org