After the class is bonded we have a Talking Circle to take the class even deeper.  This is not for every class. It is truly a journey for students to explore how they really feel about something. Most of my students found this to be the highlight of the year.  It quite simply gives kids a Voice...

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Why Teach Soft Skills, Ethics and Speaking from the Heart?

We have learned many soft skills over the year in Mr. A's Carpentry class. Every day we have a quote to write down; these quotes portray leadership, kindness and love for others. Mr. A teaches us to be a peaceful warrior, to not take things personal, and to keep our circles clean.  With all of these things we also started to do Council (taking circle). That is where we all get in a circle and talk about our lives, we open up to each other and with every ones help, we let go of things that may be holding us back. We challenge each other to lead better and more fulfilling lives. With all of this I have been challenged in my faith and have grown in it, not by what Mr. A says or does, but by being challenged by him and my peers to be better for myself. Through all of this in Council, I was able to let go of something that was holding me down for over 10 years. So I say without a doubt that if Mr. A was not allowed to do the things he does, that none of the kids in my class would be challenged to be a man and in turn to help society with their actions and behaviors. This class is the best thing that there could possibly be, for the world to no longer look to war or violence, but to look instead to peace.
-Former Student